Utter novice's first try...pretty poor :(

[timbaker]

Hello!

For the first time, I have picked up a welder and tried to get some runs down on some metal. I could really do with some help, as they look awful See pictures below:











I'm using a brand new Sealey Supermig 150, bought on the back of a 'Practical Classics' best buy, with Argosheild light and 0.6mm wire. The metal I used was bits of old MGB boot lid.

As you can see, the beads seem really rather messy, and I blew plenty of holes through the metal.

I did enjoy my first real taste of welding though, which is good, as I have quite a lot of it ahead of me. You see, the reason I'm learning, is that I have inherited a rather rusty old MGBGT, that I plan to get back on the road. It needs repairs to both floorpans, inner sills, castle rails, one C-pillar, chassis outriggers, front and rear chassis legs, rear quarters and one of the front wings.

Fear not, I don't plan on taking the melty stick anywhere near the car until my welds have drastically improved, but for that I need your help!

Thanks in advance

Tim

 

[the snooper]

most of it looks like you hand isn't steady enough or moving smoothly in a straight line

 

[cumbriasteve]

Get some thicker material, you are on a loser trying to learn on thin stuff, scrap will do as long as you clean it up.

Stop trying to weave the weld pattern (if that's what you are doing) and simply do straight runs.

Good gloves and rest your welding arm across the other for support.

Have a good read of the tutorials on here and watch a couple of youtube videos

 

[timbaker]

Thanks for the quick replies. Yes, I was weaving, which I thought is what I should be doing. I have looked at the tutorials on here, and tried to follow them, but this is the result I have some nice long gloves already, but was using one hand to steady the end of the torch as in the tutorials on here.

I think I'll have to get hold of some thicker metal this weekend and try again, although where I'll get it from I don't know!

 

[BrokenBiker]

thicker metal, no weaving and keep your arc length consistent, slight push angle on the torch and just take your time. Thick metal will eliminate blow through

 

[mike 109444]

Welcome Tim. ref finding some steel, when you need body panel thickness you could try Jawel paints. Not sure what they charge for a sheet though. They have several places round Brum. As you are doing an MG if you can find it (youtube or cable tv) try watching Mark Evens doing an MG on a car is borne Good viewing and you will get to see what you are in for

 

[ukracer]

Thanks for the quick replies. Yes, I was weaving, which I thought is what I should be doing. I have looked at the tutorials on here, and tried to follow them, but this is the result I have some nice long gloves already, but was using one hand to steady the end of the torch as in the tutorials on here.

I think I'll have to get hold of some thicker metal this weekend and try again, although where I'll get it from I don't know!

If you fancy a trip out to kidderminster one day or evening we can eliminate your welder and you can have a go with mine. We used to struggle with stuff like that with our old welder this new one handles it so much better. As has been said thin metal is hard work...rusty stuff even harder...BUT there are ways round it. Not that I am an expert...in fact a long way from it but its always good to compare and make sure your machine is capable and you are not banging your head up the wall for no reason.

Regards Andy t

 

[Fastfingaz]

Hey timbaker I say keep doing what you're doing, it looks rather decorative yea like something you'd put on your coffee table as a center piece,, imho,,, but if you really want to weld then you have to get thicker metal, turn up the heat and give it more wire!! keep practicing you'll get it!!!

 

[anjum]

Sometimes your local paint/ bodyshop supplier stocks sheets of steel.

 

[norlander]

Hi Tim,

check you are getting a good earth to the job
check your machine is on the right polarity- some migs are supplied set up for gasless-
tweak your wire speed in small increments
give your local steel stockist a call for a price on 30x30 x3mm mild steel angle, if you get some, you should be able to practice runs on that on the flat sides and the edges.
Then when you have the settings right you can build a welding trolley for your new set and bottle.
See this video link for arc shots of the puddle, but don't get into weaving just yet.Watch the actual puddle as he welds.Unfortuately there is not much welding sound- (2 indicators to good set up and technique are the way the puddle is going and the sound when welding).
Don't get frustrated if your welds don't turn outlike his -he is a top welder/craftsman-no harm in trying to get there though!!.

 

[timbaker]

Thank you al for all the feedback and support I've got some 2mm sheet steel to have a try on when I next get chance, and I will make sure I have a go at followingw your advice.

Mike, I was given the MG is Born series on DVD for Christmas after several recomendations. It's a good watch, even for those without any intention of fixing up an old MG. Don't worry, I now know what I am in for with this project :/

Andy T, that would be fantastic actually! Whereabouts in Kiddie are you?

norlander, I like the sounds of that! I'll see how my next try goes and maybe give it a go in the coming weeks

And Fastfingaz, yes, in fact I think I may call up the local art dealer and see if I can pass myself off as an artist specialising in abstract metal sculputres. Might be able to fund some bits for the MG then XD

 

[ukracer]

Birmingham side on Offmore Farm estate

 

[timbaker]

Finally broke out the melty stick again (I've been VERY busy over the past couple of weeks). I ordered some 2mm steel, which I tried for around 30 seconds until I realised something wasn't right. OMFG what a difference thicker metal has made! The thing is, look at all those deposits on the side. I'm guessing that's a gas feed problem? I'm using argosheild light from a pub gas bottle, and I can hear the gas flowing when I pull the trigger. Thoughts?

 

[shenion]

How are you getting Argoshield in a pub gas bottle? No gas supplier will put anything other than CO2 or CO2+N2 in a pub bottle.

 

[timbaker]

Yeah, it's a little independant shop, the guy said I would struggle getting it filled elsewhere. I'm guessing it's some sort of grey area?

 

[BrokenBiker]

its a fairly black and white area, co2 goes in co2 bottles and argon mix goes in argon bottles. It is fairly irresponsible of your local supplier to put a branded gas in someone elses bottle, let alone a bottle that isn't meant to hold that gas

 

[timbaker]

Hmmm that's a little odd. I bought the bottle off the bloke in the shop for £15, and he said it would be fine, but that I'd struggle to get it filled elsewhere. Is there a safety issue here? Or could this be causing me any problems with storage?

 

[Jan]

Definitely a very dangerous safety issue here! CO2 bottles are designed to keep the gas in a liquid form at pressures typically a little over 5 BAR (just enough to keep it liquid) to achieve a decent quantity. Proper pub gas bottles may get to a few dozen BAR, but there's little advantage so I doubt it. Meanwhile Argoshield cylinders are typically filled to 160-300 BAR as pure gas only for the same reason. Other than the bottle size/volume putting Argoshield into a CO2 bottle is an accident waiting to happen it is also unlawful!

Storage is another problem. As the air temperature rises the pressure over the gas can exceed the safe working pressure of the cylinder and a significant quantity could be 'dumped' by the safety valve. If it's in your home or you walk into an enclosed space (garage, shed, etc) just after it's blown off you could easily wake up dead

 

[BrokenBiker]

pretty much as above, co2 isn't kept in the bottle as a gas, argon mix is, and argon mix is pressurised well above that of co2. I would be taking it back and reporting him to boc as they will not be impressed that he is putting their argoshield in someone elses co2 bottle.

I wouldn't want that bottle anywhere near my workshop or home, as if it does 'blow' the safety valve and dump the gas out, argon is an asphyxiant and you wont realise what has happened, unless you wake up in hospital through some miracle

 

[Jim Davey]

There is a list of gas suppliers on the forum, it might be an idea to check out an alternative. However, before you go off half cocked, ask they guy exactly what's in the bottle, the chances are it's just CO2.