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Im welding some test coupons in 1F for practice on half inch plate. (as i have a project coming soon and that's the welding position)  I have included a few pics. one of a full length root pass and one of partial cover passes. There is also an end view. (disregard the mess on the back side in this shot. I decided in too out of touch with stick to attempt that one)  I have also included a pic of the HAZ on the back side after the root pass. I have a Thermal Arc fabricator 252i settings are .035 wire (I know it needs to be bigger but the machine had the settings for 35 and it was already in the machine) running at 28.5V and 500IPM after welding the machine shows amperage for a few seconds and it was displaying 206A. To critique myself the weld seems a little too low on the base plate and not enough on the vertical piece other than that it looks good to me. Do you think that this would be plenty strong? (it will be welded on both sides) the machine says it will do 1/2 inch in a single pass, but I feel better with 3. Any input will be greatly appreciated. now for the pics. Attached ImagesOffering CNC Plasma cutting and welding projects.Follow me on facebook https://www.facebook.com/nobigdeal.fabSupport those that support WW.
Reply:Looks fairly decent. I'll agree it looks like you were a little low, as the whole doesn't look like it's as tall as it is across the base, and the final side view doesn't look like a 45 deg line across the reinforcement. Looks like you are pretty close to 1/2" on the upper leg though, so at least you got more than the base material thickness on each leg. The 2 cover passes look a bit fast from the slight V's in the ripples on top, so you could slow those down just a touch..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Not bad.... Just because the machine "says" it can do 1/2" in a single pass, there's really no reason to do that. See that little inconsistency  on the top (last) pass? I'd back off on the amount of metal I was carrying and work on the "pleasing to the eye" part. That could also lessen the amount of splatter your getting.The specs for a fillet weld always call out the size of the fillet. It may get done in one pass or 10 passes... it just depends.Continue on.HoboLincoln SA200's... at least 15 - 20. They come and go. Growing partial to the "Short Hoods" in my old age. Last count on Short Hoods was 13 in possession.
Reply:Thanks guys. I did travel a bit fast, on the 2nd and 3rd pass. I'll slow the wire speed a bit and see if I can make it more "eye pleasing" I have plenty of 1/2 inch plate to play with. (about 100 pounds) so its not an issue to practice. I plan on filling this up until I cant get anymore weld on it. Just to get comfortable with the size of the bead. The puddle is just slightly bigger than my typical weld bead on 1/8th in material lol. I feel confident though that it will hold. The parts on am making will see about 1500 pound static loads, so I wanna have it done the best possible. I figure a little hotter and good penetration is more important than the best looks. but I want the harshest critique possible. It will only motivate me to improve.Offering CNC Plasma cutting and welding projects.Follow me on facebook https://www.facebook.com/nobigdeal.fabSupport those that support WW.
Reply:I agree, slow down abit in this welders opinion though I think it looks good! I agree with you on cranking the heat up for penetration, What I maybe would try is turn up the heat,slow down and widen your weave alittle more. keep us posted.
Reply:Originally Posted by NoBigDeal FabIm welding some test coupons in 1F for practice on half inch plate. (as i have a project coming soon and that's the welding position)  I have included a few pics. one of a full length root pass and one of partial cover passes. There is also an end view. (disregard the mess on the back side in this shot. I decided in too out of touch with stick to attempt that one)  I have also included a pic of the HAZ on the back side after the root pass. I have a Thermal Arc fabricator 252i settings are .035 wire (I know it needs to be bigger but the machine had the settings for 35 and it was already in the machine) running at 28.5V and 500IPM after welding the machine shows amperage for a few seconds and it was displaying 206A. To critique myself the weld seems a little too low on the base plate and not enough on the vertical piece other than that it looks good to me. Do you think that this would be plenty strong? (it will be welded on both sides) the machine says it will do 1/2 inch in a single pass, but I feel better with 3. Any input will be greatly appreciated. now for the pics.
Reply:WOW!!! THANKS DAVE!! I did not know that there was a test to take to be here my bad!! I thought I left work for the day.. Cant relax on welding web without being insulted 1.(Thats how the grown ups decide if a weld is plenty strong)??wtf 2.even our on board experts heehee funny  So Im a pundit?? There are ways to say things with respect. I agree with the cutting method or bend test. Do you have to be a knob about it?Last edited by power; 09-12-2012 at 10:51 PM.
Reply:Thanks for the tip Dave. I'll gladly cut one in half. (not this one) I really don't wanna chop through the tall vertical piece, so I'll cut a new coupon, and make it about 2inch tall vs 6. No need to add extra strain to my carbide saw blade when it's not needed.On the polish, what are you polishing it with? I can run a flap disk over it to 80 grit. Will that be enough to see an imperfection? I would also like to acid etch it. What can I get to do that with?I wanna know that it's good vs thinking it's good.Offering CNC Plasma cutting and welding projects.Follow me on facebook https://www.facebook.com/nobigdeal.fabSupport those that support WW.
Reply:Originally Posted by NoBigDeal FabOn the polish, what are you polishing it with? I can run a flap disk over it to 80 grit. Will that be enough to see an imperfection? I would also like to acid etch it. What can I get to do that with?
Reply:Originally Posted by NoBigDeal FabThanks for the tip Dave. I'll gladly cut one in half. (not this one) I really don't wanna chop through the tall vertical piece, so I'll cut a new coupon, and make it about 2inch tall vs 6. No need to add extra strain to my carbide saw blade when it's not needed.On the polish, what are you polishing it with? I can run a flap disk over it to 80 grit. Will that be enough to see an imperfection? I would also like to acid etch it. What can I get to do that with?I wanna know that it's good vs thinking it's good.
Reply:Go Power, it's ur birthday......Lincoln Power Mig 210MP MIGLincoln Power Mig 350MP - MIG and Push-PullLincoln TIG 300-300Lincoln Hobby-Weld 110v  Thanks JLAMESCK TIG TORCH, gas diffuser, pyrex cupThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 101My brain
Reply:Ok I'll cut into some steel tomorrow afternoon. Hopefully I'll have good results to post up tomorrow. Im thinking a 6 inch coupon. Cutting it 2 inches from both ends, and taking a peek. If that is successful. I may do another and slice it every inch and take a peek again. If all are successful I would call it valid.some may think this is a little much (i know my buddys here will) but I want to be a better welder. and how else will i know that i can do it.I really appericate the tips. I feel that I have a good welding ability, and every weld that was bend tested at school passed with 0 inclusions, but we never tested fillet welds. So now is my chance. and if i can get a good weld on 1/2 everything thinner should be easy to make a good weld. Offering CNC Plasma cutting and welding projects.Follow me on facebook https://www.facebook.com/nobigdeal.fabSupport those that support WW.
Reply:Originally Posted by NoBigDeal FabOk I'll cut into some steel tomorrow afternoon. Hopefully I'll have good results to post up tomorrow. Im thinking a 6 inch coupon. Cutting it 2 inches from both ends, and taking a peek. If that is successful. I may do another and slice it every inch and take a peek again. If all are successful I would call it valid.some may think this is a little much (i know my buddys here will) but I want to be a better welder. and how else will i know that i can do it.I really appericate the tips. I feel that I have a good welding ability, and every weld that was bend tested at school passed with 0 inclusions, but we never tested fillet welds. So now is my chance. and if i can get a good weld on 1/2 everything thinner should be easy to make a good weld.
Reply:I always drag, when possible. It's typical. I drag my feet on projects, drag race, ect. The only time I push is when a chevy is broke at the starting line..........Ooh wait wrong forum. I do use a drag angle when possible. And try and keep the mig gun as consistent as possible. But we are all human (well most of us some guys weld like robots here) and will always have slight variations. I shoot to keep my stick out to about 1/8 and feel I usually can +- 1/32 or so. I try to hold the same angle with the mig gun for the pass as well. On using the plasma to cut it, I only have a machine torch it's strictly a CNC only setup, until I can afford the cash for the hand torch.Offering CNC Plasma cutting and welding projects.Follow me on facebook https://www.facebook.com/nobigdeal.fabSupport those that support WW.
Reply:Originally Posted by NoBigDeal FabOk I'll cut into some steel tomorrow afternoon. Hopefully I'll have good results to post up tomorrow. Im thinking a 6 inch coupon. Cutting it 2 inches from both ends, and taking a peek. If that is successful. I may do another and slice it every inch and take a peek again. If all are successful I would call it valid.some may think this is a little much (i know my buddys here will) but I want to be a better welder. and how else will i know that i can do it.I really appericate the tips. I feel that I have a good welding ability, and every weld that was bend tested at school passed with 0 inclusions, but we never tested fillet welds. So now is my chance. and if i can get a good weld on 1/2 everything thinner should be easy to make a good weld.
Reply:I was refering to the guys that are local, that I hang out with. It was not a jab ant anyone on WW. Update: I decided to take today off, I have been pushing really hard lately, and needed to relax. and I am glad that I did. I got home from the day job, and crashed out. I slept for about 6 hours, and really could use more but if I wanna get to bed at a normal hour tonight I cant. I will hopefully get the pieces cut out here in a while, but the welding will not start until tomorrow. Its nice when your not relying on it for your income and its just a paying hobby.Offering CNC Plasma cutting and welding projects.Follow me on facebook https://www.facebook.com/nobigdeal.fabSupport those that support WW.