Hi, after seeing many pictures of people sticking thin (less than 1mm) steel together, I thought I'd go the other route and see how my 200 amp 3 phase mig would do on 10mm. I always wanted to max the machine out on something and see how much wire speed I would use (the dial goes up to 18), since in welding much thinner steel I never go over a 4 or 5.
According to the machine calculator, I should be able to do max 6mm, and measuring through the gap in the back with a piece of wire, I could only stick it down about 4 mm so thats how far the weld penetrated.
About 3/16 gap, not veed, 0.8 wire. Quick blast with an abrasive pad on a grinder to clean the worst of the rust off, power on max (6), wire speed at 12 to 14, but found that 12 seemed to be best. Running on pure co2.
In the first picture the top row shows starting out, finding a decent wire speed. The second row was at a 14 setting.
The second picture shows the gap and penetration (or lack of).
Third picture. Yep, thats 10mm!
Fourth pic. I figured what the heck and welded the other side too. I wanted a single long bead without any breaks but my left hand kept getting too hot.
Wire speed at 12.
Last pic. Side view to show height of welds.
As you can tell, I'm no expert. Apart from ve-ing the sides what would improve the welds? Should I have done a wider weave? I don't have anything that can cut that steel to show a through cut of the weld.
According to the machine calculator, I should be able to do max 6mm, and measuring through the gap in the back with a piece of wire, I could only stick it down about 4 mm so thats how far the weld penetrated.
About 3/16 gap, not veed, 0.8 wire. Quick blast with an abrasive pad on a grinder to clean the worst of the rust off, power on max (6), wire speed at 12 to 14, but found that 12 seemed to be best. Running on pure co2.
In the first picture the top row shows starting out, finding a decent wire speed. The second row was at a 14 setting.
The second picture shows the gap and penetration (or lack of).
Third picture. Yep, thats 10mm!
Fourth pic. I figured what the heck and welded the other side too. I wanted a single long bead without any breaks but my left hand kept getting too hot.
Wire speed at 12.
Last pic. Side view to show height of welds.
As you can tell, I'm no expert. Apart from ve-ing the sides what would improve the welds? Should I have done a wider weave? I don't have anything that can cut that steel to show a through cut of the weld.
