Random Weld Spatter

[gdl]

Hi,

I'm busy welding my Landrover chassis. If I lay welds down the way, they are pretty good. Horizontal ones not as good, but improving quickly. But either way, every now and again it suddenly all goes wrong. I can lay a weld quite happily for 30 seconds or so, then it starts spattering and the wire speed seems to slow (I can see the wire disappear then move back toward the weld pool only to burn off again and spatter).

If I stop for a second and restart, sometime its better, but often now. Using my Parweld 171C with an Argon/CO2 mix.

Am I right in saying spatter is a gas problem? Do I need to turn the gas up higher?

Thanks, Gareth.

 

[shenion]

Sounds like the wire feed is binding. Could be bad tip, wire liner or the wire reel is sticking.

 

[gdl]

Had problems with wire in the past - they even replaced the wire feed mechanism under warrenty. I can hear the pitch of the motor go up and down when it starts spattering. I'll look at wire again. Thanks.

 

[outofthefire]

Spatter is more likely to be snotty landrover metal in this instance, if your welds look like a sponge then you've got a gas issue.

 

[Welderpaul]

Either bad wire, dirty liner, problems with the wire feeder, damaged contact tip, twisted torch lead or a combination.

 

[tombardier]

Either bad wire, dirty liner, problems with the wire feeder, damaged contact tip, twisted torch lead or a combination.

+ rust and other contamination on the workpriece and gas being blown away!

 

[chunkolini]

Just fitted a new liner in my welder because of similar symptoms.
Sorted. These things deteriorate slowly so you dont notice them getting worse.
But once sorted it works so much better