My First Ever Pipe Weld

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As some of you know, I'm fairly new to welding, and am in my first semester of welding school.  My first class was on August 10th, and then the first week of September, my wife and I got covid for the first time.  Had to miss a couple of classes, then my Dad, age 91, passed away on September 11, and because they live about 200 miles away from me, I had to miss another class due to the funeral.  My welding instructor has been very nice thru it all, and has allowed me to come in more evenings to make up my missed classes.This was one of the things I welded last night, my first ever pipe weld.  We didn't know it, but the row of welders on the line I was on was running out of gas, but even though this was my first pipe weld, I thought it was pretty decent.  No undercut, but the mig gun would flame out, but I made it around the pipe.  It might not be up to you experienced guys standards, but given the issues, whatcha think?

   We've been thru stick, then MIG, and tonight he's starting our class on TIG.   Looks like we might have time to actually make a class project by the end of November.Last edited by RCWelds; 20 Hours Ago at 07:24 AM.Miller Multimatic 215Spoolmatic 150 spool gunPrimeweld Cut 60 Plasma CutterVevor Pipe StandsBauer Portaband/Swag tableGrinders-Milwaukee, Porter Cable, DewaltArcUnion M-20 portable rod oven
Reply:Kudos for taking classes, learning the right way first time including some theory and safety no doubt.If you had full gas flow and the coupons were descaled the result would have been better for sure. Keep practicing!
Reply:With mig, clean materials is a must. That's a pretty easy weld pipe to flat plate and looks ok. Now butt weld pipe to pipe with a bevel and gap.
Reply:I don't know why, maybe its just the compressed time frame our instructor has, but he just wants us to weld with the mill scale on.  He seems to be trying to move the class along at a pace that doesn't allow for much grinding/scale removal.   I might need to ask him in class tonight.   Maybe I'll just show up with my own grinder, wheels and wire brushes, and see what happens.  He told me last night, we  were switching to TIG for the class tonight.   It could be that the day classes are moving to TIG as well, and the machine setups dictate the amount of time he can spend on certain processes.?Miller Multimatic 215Spoolmatic 150 spool gunPrimeweld Cut 60 Plasma CutterVevor Pipe StandsBauer Portaband/Swag tableGrinders-Milwaukee, Porter Cable, DewaltArcUnion M-20 portable rod oven
Reply:I won't do that without his permission, there may be a reason. Are you in a booth with ducted exhaust system or are welding benches in an open area? Sparks flying or air contamination might prevent grinding operations.
Reply:When I was in welding school we weren't allowed to use grinders in booths because the teachers didn't want students doing stoopid and cutting their heads off. There was one dedicated grinding booth where the teacher could keep a close eye. Most coupons came with machined ends and bevels to keep grinding to a minimum.
Reply:I took my grinder, but didn’t need it, because the instructor started me on TIG tonight.  Most of the rest of the class was still on MIG, but the instructor moved me on to the MIG process.   Since I don’t have a TIG setup for my MM215 as of yet, tonight was my first time with a torch in my hands.  Lift -arc tig is what I did, and it is amazingly elegant compared to stick, especially, and MIG also, but not as much as stick.   My instructor was pleased with my results, and will move me on to stainless steel TIG next Wednesday.   I’m having fun learning this metal meltin’ stuff!  

Miller Multimatic 215Spoolmatic 150 spool gunPrimeweld Cut 60 Plasma CutterVevor Pipe StandsBauer Portaband/Swag tableGrinders-Milwaukee, Porter Cable, DewaltArcUnion M-20 portable rod oven
Reply:I was so impressed with the TIG. Process tonight that I went ahead and ordered a complete TIG kit for my MM215, which includes foot petal, torch, gas meter, extra cups, tips, etc.   I had been on the fence about pulling the trigger on a TIG kit, but tonights class pushed me to get it, and now I think I have every accessory to weld anything my machine is capable of.  Not cheap by any means, but hopefully in time it will pay for itself with the repairs I can do.Miller Multimatic 215Spoolmatic 150 spool gunPrimeweld Cut 60 Plasma CutterVevor Pipe StandsBauer Portaband/Swag tableGrinders-Milwaukee, Porter Cable, DewaltArcUnion M-20 portable rod oven
Reply:Hell, it looks better than I can do.  I've never been able to do round stuff.  My hand always winds up at the wrong angle as I go around, and I screw up the puddle.