Quick Penetration Question (Im new to welding)

admin

Hey guys.  Ive been messing around welding some 1/8" thick mild steel with my Lincoln SP135 (using 75% argon, 25%carbon).  When I run a bead on 1/8" thick steel should I see ANY penetration on the other side?  Also I tried butt joint weld and I saw NO penetration on the opposite side.  Thanks and Happy Holidays!!
Reply:a little discoloration on the backside maybe..but burn thru on 1/8" with a 135?i doubt it.....zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:thanks for the quick reply zap.  I actually managed to burn through 1/8" plate last night just messing around.  BTW my butt weld had about 1/32" of a gap, but still no beads or lumps on the opposite side.  Is it okay though zap?
Reply:can you post a pic?that takes the guessing out of the problem...and i hate to guess.. ...zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Im workin on getting some pics posted.  I also thought I might tell you Im using .023 wire?  Or will using thicker wire not change the penetration.  I have some .030 wire with new tips, but I was told Id have to also change the inner lining of the leads comming from the machiene...that doesnt sound right considering the specs of the welder says it can accept .023 to .035?  Can some one confirm this (im using a Lincoln SP135) its a popular welder so hopefully someone knows.
Reply:machine*
Reply:would the spec's be for the feeder or the lead?-->amazing what a 1.3L can do
Reply:Your liner issue depends on which liner is already in the gun. If you've got an .025 liner in there, sure you'll have to change it to run .030 & .035. On the inverse, if you have a .035 liner and only a ten foot gun, you can get by running the .023/.025 wire okay with out rolling back down in size.
Reply:[QUOTE=rppngears91]I also thought I might tell you Im using .023 wire?  Or will using thicker wire not change the penetration.    QUOTE]The thicker wire will give you less penetration.DewayneDixieland WeldingMM350PLincoln 100Some torchesOther misc. tools
Reply:Originally Posted by rppngears91Hey guys.  Ive been messing around welding some 1/8" thick mild steel with my Lincoln SP135 (using 75% argon, 25%carbon).  When I run a bead on 1/8" thick steel should I see ANY penetration on the other side?  Also I tried butt joint weld and I saw NO penetration on the opposite side.  Thanks and Happy Holidays!!
Reply:your best bet when you are welding anything but sheetmetal with a 135 MIG is to put a bevel on the steel to make sure your getting penetration.  Also grind off the mill scale so its nice a shiny.  My first welder was  Miller 135 MIG, i more or less just bought it for body work, but anything over 1/8" its useless.  But if you clean your material well, and grind a small bevel you shouldnt have a problem.  If you want to weld a little hotter, your could get rid of your 75/25 and get some Flux cored wire, that "digs" a bit more than hardwire.  And personally, .035 is a waste in a welder that small.  I still have my 135 for bodywork, and i never run anything larger than .023.  Even .030 is bit large, it just isnt hot enough to "wash" the puddle out, the bead always has a high crown.  hey have fun!Pipe & Pressure Vessel Welder
Reply:Oh one more thing, i bought that welder when i was like 17, and at that time it was the only welder that i had, and when i had to weld something thick i took my O/A outfit and preheated the steel till it was almost changing color and then weld the crap out of it! haha, hey it worked and thats all i had!Pipe & Pressure Vessel Welder