Settings without practice runs

[tab]

just after a bit of advice and i'm sure someone on here will be able to help

say you get a job to weld something together but dont have any spare material or anything to do a practice run or even to check you have the right settings before you start, how do you know what settings to use? is it a case of learning your welder and the more you do the more you'll "just know" where to set it?

anyone got any tips?

 

[SiPMerlin150]

In a pinch if you're unsure, use you earth clamp, OR make a small record of what settings you used for a particular thickness, and keep it wrote down in a book for future reference. We all have to test and check now and then. As for tips, well, I've given you two

 

[the repair man]

I would best guess it, then go for a spot weld to give you an idea how quick you get penetration etc

 

[Jim_gsxr1000]

... get some to practise on , you wouldn't just jump in a car ad drive without first practising (ie.Taking driving lessons) would you ?

 

[Justme]

Next tip.

ALWAYS keep plenty of scrap in a box for just this situation.

Failing that have plenty of grinding disks so you can grind it all out if you get it wrong.

 

[tab]

I think its time to make a bigger scrap bin with a chart on the side then

 

[zardoz]

why not jot down a few settings on the back of your welder. Either in felt tip or do it in a neat little list and tape it on. You will never lose them then.

 

[Jim Davey]

Some sets come with a very comprehensive list of metal types and thicknesses and the wire feed speed/volts necessary to weld them (Thermal Arc sets in particular seem to have the best charts) alternatively, pony up the funds for a synergic mig next time you're buying, one with a metal thicknessing setting. Just dial in how thick the metal is you are welding and 9 times out of 10 you can pull the trigger and get a satisfactory arc right off the bat.

 

[Hitch]

That's something that comes with experience, and knowing your gear.

Try the first one, if its not setup right, grind it out again and redo.

Machines vary, especially older ones. We've got 2 identical machines, same age, and one needs higher settings to get the same result.

 

[Welderpaul]

That's something that comes with experience, and knowing your gear.

Fancy pants programmable machines

I don't bother tbh, with experience you know what material thickness/joint setup requires what settings on the machine.

The other lads have a whole list of saved jobs set up in the machines memory.

 

[KemppiFrog]

My Kemppi has a a list of thicknesses/joint types and settings for power & wire speed on the inside of the wire cover. Type of gas too for Fe, SS & Alu. But it is still down to practice.