OK start critiquin :D

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I started on my T bucket frame. Here are my initial beads. Im using 2x3 .120 wall mild steelwelding with millermatic 180. Settings are 4.5 voltage and 55 wire speed which are the factory rec.( actually I turned both up a hair.) gas is 75/25 at about 15 cfh. I used a weaving pattern pull rather than a stringer. Let me know what you think. And thank you Attached ImagesLast edited by scott657; 10-12-2008 at 04:25 PM.ScottMillermatic 180
Reply:scott657,Off to a good start but it appears you need to slow your travel speed a bit.  Practice on a few pieces of 'cut-offs' and post some more pics.Did you bevel the ends of each piece?MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:agree travel looks a little fast.what is the wall thickness ? definitely should be beveling and maybe gapping for 100% penetration.insert thoughtful quote from someone else2000 Thermal Arc 300GTSW 3.5 hours1946 Monarch 20 x 54 Lathe1998 Supermax 10x54 Mill2004 Haco Atlantic 1/2" Capacity Lasernot mine but i get to play with it
Reply:I am chamferring, I will try a little slower hand speed. Ive looked inside and Im defineately gettin penetrationScottMillermatic 180
Reply:Looks good, travel speed looks inconsistent.  Try a push instead of pull.  This will flatten out the welds, and give a little less penetratioin.That is the benefit of   having infinitely adjustable volts and wire speed.  You can turn it up or down just a little bit.Looks like your fitup skills are good.Good start, perhaps you could run some beads on scrap before you go all in on the project.David Real world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Originally Posted by David RLooks good, travel speed looks inconsistent.  Try a push instead of pull.  This will flatten out the welds, and give a little less penetration.That is the benefit of   having infinitely adjustable volts and wire speed.  You can turn it up or down just a little bit.Looks like your fitup skills are good.Good start, perhaps you could run some beads on scrap before you go all in on the project.David
Reply:Originally Posted by waginHey David, not to doubt, but I always push if possible, I agree with the better uniformity but have always thought to achieve greater penitration...of course pushing allows more amps and less feed, for me anyway,...I think...
Reply:Not horrible, but could be a bit better.Most of the time, if there's slag then drag.  Otherwise push instead of pull.Your travel speed (or your weaves) is/are a bit inconsistent.Also, try not to have a start/stop on the corners.  Go around the corners, and then stop/start.  The best laid schemes ... Gang oft agley ...
Reply:OK so now Im obsessed. Day off today so I got up to practice. push with gun almost vertical. Set gas at about 18 cfh got good penetration and put the piece in the vice to check the strength. Attached ImagesScottMillermatic 180
Reply:I think it will hold, but may burn the crap out of your carpet.
Reply:Front side looks better.  You were more consistent in your movement and the more uniform bead shows it.But, remember to backstep the start back over the stop to try and get the bead to be 'one'.  You want the weld to be 'one' as much as possible and to not show starts/stops/craters/divots/etc.  Even with an interrupted weld (weld and then space and then weld, repeat) you don't want a concave divot in the weld bead.Also, looking at the backside of the weld you are showing, if that were a critical weld and there was any way possible to do so then I'd hit the back with a grinder (hard disk or flap disk) a bit and then run another bead to really tie it all together.  Right now I'd say that the back side is showing a bit less than full and even penetration and fusion.  The best laid schemes ... Gang oft agley ...
Reply:That looks much better, try back stepping   <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<  ..................................................  ................... first run                 /        second runSince your welding light material this will help put less heat buildup into an area.  In so saying by the look of it your runs won't be long enough anyway for this to have much effect.Good luckI'd rather be hunting........USE ENOUGH HEAT.......Drifting around Aussie welding more pipe up, for something different.....wanting to get home.