Should I be able to hear the gas ?

[markyboy944]

Hi guys

Quick one. (Newbie welder)

I have a migmate 130, (new), and I'm trying some practice welds.

I'm practicing with stich welds on some thin steel.

I'm actually wondering whether the gas is coming out ?

Should you be able to hear it when you pull the trigger ?

The welds are not very good. (Probably a lot to do with my status as a starter), but the are quite spattery , and , as it happens, I can easily manage to burn through , but I just CAN'T seem to form any penetration. When I look at the back of the weld. The weld doesn't make it through to the back , i.e. you just see the two edges of the metal.

Any advice greatly appreciated

Cheers - Mark

 

[malcolm]

Could well be a lack of gas - do the welds look a bit bubbly?

It should possible to hear the gas over the noise of the welder and wire feed etc. If you are on the disposable bottles then ignore the manufaturers instructions and turn them up to get a reasonable hiss of gas. That could well mean turning the regulator up fully.

 

[markyboy944]

How long will one last ? (I've got the £8 one)

Roughly how long will one of the standard ones last ?

(It's the one which came when I bought the welder , .. I've seen them in halfors for about £8).

Cheers - Mark

 

[malcolm]

About 6 minutes of continuous welding or about 1m of weld at a flow rate of about 10L/min (decent hiss). Not so long unfortunately.

 

[markyboy944]

Wow - not long then !

Thanks mate - looks like I've run out of gas then !

Cheers - Mark

 

[MigTig]

I recently did a lot of Tig welding off disposables, I cant hear the flow. But as soon as the Tungstung started to burn, I knew it was time up for the bottle. MY Mig hoever has done a great deal of nice welds off the 390g bottle, but its just about out. I will chuck a 600g one onto it next, as they are now the same price. (buy them online via Weldequip off this site)

 

[Alex]

The C02 disposables seem to last much longer than the mix.