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Evaluate my welds...

It looks like you are starting off right. I think you need to move the tip a bit (looks like you are using it like a caulking gun). A slight half moon swipe will keep the puddle a little larger and in one spot for more time (allowing better penitration). try a half swirl (not a circle) like CCCCCCCCCCCCCCC see what comes out. I am just going off of the pics my self.
 
The big thing that helped me was hand position and speed. Hold the tip at 45-60deg angle to the metal and push the weld. try running a 3" bead at a med speed med heat, then bump up to the next heat setting and the wire speed. What wire size are you using?
 
You can also tune it a little by ear. Should sound like eggs frying. Nice steady sizzle. If you hear pops and sputters adjust hotter. If the sizzle goes away and you get more of a spray sound tune colder. Have somebody tweak the wire speed as you weld. Sometimes its easier to see and hear the difference that way.

Adjust hotter by turning up the juice or wire speed down. If wire speed is turned down slow your motion until the bead is as wide as the parent metal is thick.

Adjust colder by turning the juice down or increasing wire speed. If wire speed is turned up increase your motion speed until the bead is as wide as the parent metal is thick.

Try some weaving side to side Like so (((((((->

Above all just keep playing with it. Few things are as rewarding as making good welds. These days everybody looks at your welds as a reference to your workmanship.

Just some suggestions for you. Keep it up.
 
you guys trust an auto darkening mask?

how does it know to darken? and im very sure that it cannot sense and react before the light hits your eyes
 
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you guys trust an auto darkening mask?

how does it know to darken? and im very sure that it cannot sense and react before the light hits your eyes

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I was thinking the same thing. I don't know a damn thing about welding but that just seems a little risky to me... /forums/images/graemlins/thinking.gif
 
I stink the auto-darkeners are an LCD setup... so it's not like there's a mechanical thing to move, they just thicken in response to brighter light.

I see the briefest flash of green 'fore my darkens; I'm quite happy with it. It was the least expensive at my local welding place -- one step up from the HF cheapos, I do believe.

I figure these guys know their s&&t about welding; they're awful redneckish (in a land of yuppies) and seem to have one set of teeth among the five or so of them... great place! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

-- A
 
I have a homier discount tools (HD tools) cheapo autotinting mask, I just keep good batteries in it /forums/images/graemlins/dunno.gif its like 1-20,000th of the second responce time. Been using for about 6 months, only complaint I have is it take like a second for it to kick off which if I'm in a hurry is like /forums/images/graemlins/whistling.gif come-on! But I like it /forums/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif
Maybe for christmas I'll ask for a better one that charges from the flash /forums/images/graemlins/thinking.gif
 
like i said before, i got mine from harbor frieght, and couldn't be happier for the quality given what i paid for it ($60). it works great and is solar powered, so no batteries. it reacts in 1/25000th of a second.

the only thing i dont like about it, is if i have my big lights out (dual 500 watt), it stays dark.
 
I am using a cheap HF mask too. they are solar powered and adjustable (9-13 shate to go from TIG to MIG to heavy arc). They have a fail safe built in that if the battery dies or the solar panel breaks it goes peminently (sp) black. The auto mask made my welding twice as easy and twice as nice.
 
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Get to the point where you're burning through the metal and back off a bit, hahahahahaha /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

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I welded some sheet in half once /forums/images/graemlins/whistling.gif /forums/images/graemlins/whistling.gif /forums/images/graemlins/whistling.gif /forums/images/graemlins/ignore.gif
 
Damn, I thought this thread was going to be about rims. /forums/images/graemlins/histerical.gif
 
Holy smokes, I've been gone for 3 hours and theres 11 replies! /forums/images/graemlins/eek.gif I cannot reply to everyone buy to start off, I have .025" wire, which isn't good for the thickness of the steel, but it's not like im welding something I am just practicing... I will definitly try those different welding angles and techniques. Once again, thanks for helping a beginner /forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif
 
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I was MIGing at 22.0V and 670 IPM If I remember correctly. That made a beautiful well proportioned slightly convex weld. That said, this was 3/8" matereal

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I personally consider that voltage setting to be too low for 3/8" material. All our work machines are full digital as well and for 3/8" stuff and .035 microwire I most often have the machine set at 27.4 volts or higher and adjust the wire speed to my liking. We use an Argon/CO2 mix that supports a 'spray' transfer at the higher voltages though. IPM is probably 800 or so...

Unless you're trying to do very thin body work it's always better to go hotter. Once you get comfortable...turn it up some more and go a little faster. You'll get better looking welds and better penetration.

Looking at your pictures...you're moving too fast and you could use some more heat too.

Rene
 
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Don't adjust your Amperage (heat) while welding
Only adjust yor wire speed
It will screw up your new welder /forums/images/graemlins/eek.gif

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That's what I said.
 
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Looking at your pictures...you're moving too fast and you could use some more heat too.

Rene

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Thanks Rene, Today when I find a cleaner piece of metal I will turn up the heat and slow down a bit. /forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif
 
Miller's 142-page Gas Metal Arc Welding handbook provides a comprehensive, yet easy to read, explanation of the GMAW, or MIG, process. It contains detailed instructions on how to set up MIG equipment, set MIG variables, select the correct shielding gas, welding techniques, safety, and troubleshooting. Cost is $25. Call Miller at (920) 751-2120 and ask for publication #151 682, Gas Metal Arc Welding.

/forums/images/graemlins/weld.gif /forums/images/graemlins/thinking.gif /forums/images/graemlins/weld.gif

My new helmet. Miller big window Elite
I absolutely love it...

big_Elite-Black.jpg


I've been using a fixed shade Jackson Shadow for several years before I went auto. Still like it for working under the truck.

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Practice, practice, practice.....
 
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