Top Tips!!

[rev1richie]

Hi, just started to weld and progress is okay, the usual.. one day the weld is really pro looking , come back next day and cant seem to run a seam 5mm.

So, what i was wondering, and this will be your views from experience, what attributes in a top 3 table would you say are the most crucial factors in welding.

I'm not opening a debate, if you want to have an argument, start a new thread, i want to know your opinions from experience.

Thanks

Rich

 

[malcolm]

Biggest one to me is to run a decent welder in good condition and an argon/CO2 mix gas. Most of the hobby MIGs are unforgiving. Took me 10 years to figure that one out.

Cleanliness if you are doing car stuff - everything needs to be shiny clean.

For technique on low thickness many have the torch too far away and at too much of an angle to the work.

 

[backpurge]

Decent kit
Being able to actually see what you are doing
Getting comfortable

 

[ieezitin]

lights out!

Absolutely 100% agree with backpurge.

Experiment and practice,practice,practice.


Anthony.

 

[mike os]

as above, decent welder makes all the difference when it comes to consistency. Poor wirefeed being the main culprit I suspect

I have not welded for 4-5weeks & can guarantee that if I go out to the shop now I will get a decent weld

again a lesson of several very frustrating years

 

[brookie456]

...again a lesson of several very frustrating years[/QUOTE]

Trying to get consistent results with equipment of varying quality just doesn't work, as the above posts highlight, before this site, could have saved ££££'s by getting the right kit and working on improving and learning instead of trying to compensate for variables. Mike is correct, we have enough to learn without without having to negotiate cr*ppy wire feed etc. Buy the decent tools and eliminate the excuses

 

[breezer]

a good quality auto darkening helmet REALLY helps. I just changed mine and bought one from weldequip, made things so much easier.

Also get plenty of light on the workpiece. Otherwise it's easy to wander away from where you want to weld. I've had the neatest welds you could imagine just in the wrong place.

Anything thin or likely to blow through try stitch welding to avoid excessive heat build up

They are just the few things I have learned in the 9 months or so since I took up the torch. There is loads more to learn (always)

Oh and enjoy it.

Jim

 

[7/11=12]

Decent kit
Being able to actually see what you are doing
Getting comfortable

ive only had a decent esab auto mask for about 8 months & thats made a massive difference to my welds as you say been able to see your welding really helps

 

[eil]

As backpurge has stated, but in my case I get better results when the wife is at work and not on her day off.
Reason, when she is at home the Immersion heater, washing machine, tumble drier, iron ,telly ,kettle, lights etc are all going and the garage is at the end of the line.