Welding mesh to solid

[Furry Freak]

Hi Guys, many thanks for advice so far. Got another one for ya. Is there a trick / technique for welding mesh onto flat? It's 1" steel with 10swg wires. Do I try to blob over the wire, try to sneak a weld underneath, try to run up the sides?

I've had a couple of goes, but whilst solid, it's not exactly pretty. I'm running 0.8 by the way. I have a spot timer too, would this be useful? It has a sort of coppery colour to it (the mesh that it) which seems to weld ok. Not sure what that's for. Rustproofing?

FF

 

[shenion]

I welded mesh by starting next to the wire then move to the wire. The trick is stopping just as you hit the wire; linger and the wire will burn back.

My first project with my Clarke was welding wire mesh to my trailer. 200 spot welds, a timer might have helped

 

[wyn]

When making guards i do it the same as shenion. Start the weld on the flat bar and move towards the mesh just catching it with the edge of the weld.

I also try to weld where the wires in the mesh cross.

It also depends which way up the mesh is, as long as it overlaps the flat a bit you should be able to weld the bits touching the flat.

Are you using square mesh or finger mesh.

 

[Hitch]

Yup, as above, run the weld on the frame, then just wash it across to the wire.
10g isnt to bad.

 

[gavuk]

make sure the mesh is in good contact with the flat and as described ,start on the flat and wash across quickly .Gav

 

[Furry Freak]

Guys, many thanks for those tips. General consensus there I think.

It's square mesh 1". Will probably be cut so that there are no 'spikes' to weld onto, just where the joints cross. As I haven't made the frame yet, I shall cut the mesh where I like and then make the frame that size. Dimensions really not critical on this job, but neatness is.

I'll play around with an off cut to get the settings right. I just melted the first lot.

FF

 

[^neo^]

if you have alot of welds along one or 2 sides, make sure you get your mesh up the right way (ie so it lays flat on the steel where the welds go, rather than having the 3mm gap (does that make sense?!))
A heavy weight next to where you're welding will help stop the mesh from curling up as you weld it. 3mm is quite stiff though, so should be fairly good to do.

 

[Furry Freak]

Thanks, neo. Yeah, worked that one out. Had me thinking though. I made some trailer sides first. Tacked a few wires to hold it then filled in the gaps. Used a stick the first time. Well, they're still on, but it wasn't easy. Ended up on 1.6mm rods. Just kept melting the wire. Hoping the MIG will be a better tool.
FF

 

[^neo^]

Once you've done a few you'll get it right. As everyone has said above, weld the flat and sort of let it 'bleed' across onto the mesh. If you keep your shield turned down quite low you can see when the mesh is about to go into a blob!

 

[Furry Freak]

Got it! That works nicely. I used the spot timer and got into a sort of rhythm with it. Looks nice and neat. Certainly well stuck.
Thanks Fellas.

FF