Rate my welds (newbie)

s1_rallye · 2026-02-13T16:30:52+0000

Hi guys, I have read a lot of posts on this forum which have given good tips, so I thought I’d post up some welds so you can give some feedback;

Clarke 135
Argon mix (large disposable)
0.6 - new
New tip, liner, swan neck
Upgraded earth clamp

Welding 0.9mm steel

Here, I am putting a return on the panel as it’s beyond my panel skills to make it in one. I am using the tack and move an inch technique

I’m finding the my welds sit proud of the work piece, and also aiming the torch is inconsistent.

I think I have good penetration

I started with the setting on 1A, then moved to 2A, and slowed the wire speed. That seemed better

I had two blow throughs early on, as I was trying to walk the weld from one panel to another.

By the end I was pointing my wire right at the 90 of the join and giving it a good second on the gun.

I have arrowed one that didn’t join the two panels - there were a few like this. What went wrong there? Torch angle?

So, any advice/observations?

Thank you!

Mark 2 · 2026-02-13T17:01:51+0000

Too cold, I guess longer time on the tacks.
Do we know what 2a settings are in the real world?
Welcome.

s1_rallye · 2026-02-13T17:53:15+0000

Mark 2 said:
Too cold, I guess longer time on the tacks.
Do we know what 2a settings are in the real world?
Welcome.

Too cold - do I need more power or more duration?

I have two power switches. 1-2 and min and max. No idea what they relate to!

I’ll edit my first post to say 2-min

tigdlo · 2026-02-13T18:01:35+0000

If that's a final workpiece, then stop and set up some practice pieces to get your welder dialed in.

Check the manual for your settings but be prepared to try it for yourself as my Clarke 150 voltage settings dont match the manual, you should be able to do this running beads on flat plate, probably better with something like 3mm to test, post some photos with the settings labelled and someone will be able to advise.

s1_rallye said:
Too cold - do I need more power or more duration?

More volts probably, but you will have to test to confirm, your switches set your voltage, the wire speed will alter the current more wire speed will increase the current.

Cobbler · 2026-02-13T18:40:18+0000

s1_rallye said:
I have two power switches. 1-2 and min and max. No idea what they relate to!

Take the tension off the wire feed & connect a multimeter set on volts between the tip & return clamp read off the voltage on each switch position, that will give you what the order the switch’s work. When I had a small Clarke, I found the settings weren’t in the order I expected, so wrote in on the top.