Hi everyone!!
I'd appreciate some advice on what happened / what I did wrong, in butt welding 3mm mild steel plates. I used a Sealey 150/5 welder on max. volts and max. wire feed speed, BOC's Argoshield light at 7 Ltr/min flow rate and 0.8mm wire. The root gap was 0mm (edge to edge) and I used a pushing technique with a zigzag torch pattern. I'd like to say I used a consistent arc length of 8mm, but hey - I'm a beginner!!!
Photo from above:
The bead was running o.k then fell through.
Photo from below:
I think the depth of penetration is too shallow where i started, then o.k, then disaster!!
Should a 150 Amp welder have enough poke to weld 3mm plate edge to edge? i.e. should I get my welder looked at?
By using a root gap are you trying to make up for lack of power, or is it something you should do? If so, please elaborate as to why!
As an aside, when the bead fell through, the MIG wire burnt back to the contact tip. Is this to be expected?
I'm reasonable happy with my progress on 1.5mm plate, just thought about having a go on something thicker
Many thanks for the advice, criticism, observation, Richie
I'd appreciate some advice on what happened / what I did wrong, in butt welding 3mm mild steel plates. I used a Sealey 150/5 welder on max. volts and max. wire feed speed, BOC's Argoshield light at 7 Ltr/min flow rate and 0.8mm wire. The root gap was 0mm (edge to edge) and I used a pushing technique with a zigzag torch pattern. I'd like to say I used a consistent arc length of 8mm, but hey - I'm a beginner!!!
Photo from above:
The bead was running o.k then fell through.
Photo from below:
I think the depth of penetration is too shallow where i started, then o.k, then disaster!!
Should a 150 Amp welder have enough poke to weld 3mm plate edge to edge? i.e. should I get my welder looked at?
By using a root gap are you trying to make up for lack of power, or is it something you should do? If so, please elaborate as to why!
As an aside, when the bead fell through, the MIG wire burnt back to the contact tip. Is this to be expected?
I'm reasonable happy with my progress on 1.5mm plate, just thought about having a go on something thicker
Many thanks for the advice, criticism, observation, Richie