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[cmc1314]

Hi there, ive done my level 2 city and guilds in MIG but from a place that wasnt very reputable... basically set up the machine and let you weld ... so im in a bit of a dilemma. i dont really understand wire speed and power etc... can anyone help me out im struggling with my level 3 and i dont want to fail... after all £500 aint cheap. Preferably details on welding 6mm mild steel plate as this us what il be practicing on. and there is no flux in the wire if thats any help

All help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Landynut]

Will depend on welder good tutorial here for Mig. Did you not cut and acid test your welding for level 2? If so you will have an idea about penetration, set your welder to the amps you think and then adjust your wire speed to suit. Hope that makes sence: whistle:

Oh and

 

[mike 109444]

Hi cmc1314. If you download the manual in this link you may find it a good read. It won't be the manual for the welders you are using but unlike most other manuals that seam to be available for mig welders, this one goes in to some detail as to what happens in the arc and the types of metal transfer.
For any one else looking for " a manual for my mig" this is a good read!
http://www.bocworldofwelding.com.au/aitdownloadablefiles/download/aitfile/aitfile_id/34/
ps I don't work for BOC uk or NZ or AU

 

[cmc1314]

yeah the tutors tested welds etc never explained anything now im kinda left in the lerch. Cheers mike give me more of an idea mate

 

[Wedg1e]

A rough guide is 1 Amp of current per thousandth of an inch, so if the machine has a digital readout or other means of pre-selecting the current, you can dial up what you need and fine-tune as you go along.
As there's 40 thou to a millimetre, 6 mm will be 240 thou or 240 Amps.
If the machine just has the usual step switch(es) for output, you could guesstimate the settings if you knew the max. output of the set.
For example, if you had a 300A set and needed 240A, you can discount the bottom 50% of the settings straight off. If that leaves you with say 6 switch positions, pick the middle ground and see how that looks, then go up or down a step until you get bacon sizzling

My Romarc 200A set has 16 steps but covers the top 100A in only 6 of them.