Welding band steel

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I got this hang-up of wanting to weld band steel (steel banding used for shipping) - i've tried just about ever setting on mm211 useing 035 & 023 solid wire - 115v & 230v - 75/25 gas - can spot weld - but not run a bead greater than 1" - want to run min. 2" butt weld or fillet in flat position - do i have a need for this NO - just want to do itbest i can tell metal is 20 to 24ga - tried cleaning paint off - didn't help - anybody got any ideas?
Reply:I'm game... it's lunch time.  Pulled out my mm175. Set the voltage to 1.5 and wire speed at 40. Using a push technique it burned through after about an inch. Dropped the voltage down to 1 leaving the wire speed at 40 and similar results. Burned through after an inch once the metal got hot.Switched to a pull technique and was able to do 2+ inches. It even looks a little cold at the end where I ran into the clamp. Man it's hard to see such a small puddle. Are you using push or pull? Try pull... and post some photos. Attached Images
Reply:I might have to try this tomorrow if I find some free time.
Reply:Thanks forhire I run mine same as i run at work - i call it headon ( gun 90º to bead ) left to right direction i will try your settings and see what i get - will post pic. - what size wire were you useingthanks
Reply:Originally Posted by RenagadeThanks forhire I run mine same as i run at work - i call it headon ( gun 90º to bead ) left to right direction i will try your settings and see what i get - will post pic. - what size wire were you usingthanks
Reply:Mr forhire Here is my shot at it - running somewhat your settings - tryed wire on 40 but seam a little fast - so backed off to 30 - voltage off ( 1 ) - running on 115v - .023 solid wire left to right - pulling gun ahead of weld - about 1/2" off tip - Attached Images
Reply:If some company looses their band crimping tool you guys could have a whole new business.
Reply:Might try a copper or aluminum heat sink behind it. Sounds like that mite help?Miller diversion 165Miller mig 211Hypertherm pm 30Milwaukee 6230 14 inch chop sawMd 45 mag drill (RIP; fell on its head)New MD 45! Thanks to the esposa!Finally got an O/A setup
Reply:Darn!  I just pitched some of that stuff that I had been keeping in case I found a need for it!  LOL.   It was part of my cleanup to make space to weld ;-)
Reply:To butt weld the stuff I like to make tiny 90 degree bends on the ends, then butt the pieces together so the short legs stick up, then use an oxyacetylene torch with a small tip and no filler. Just melt the part sticking up, and keep moving so you don't burn through. A couple of practice pieces and your welds look like they're TIG welded.Of course, this is high carbon steel, essentially a spring steel, and the metal will lose its temper in the HAZ. But for lower strength applications it's cheap. I pick the dumpster at the local electrical supply house as they get the big conduit strapped with 1-1/4" strap which is quite stout stuff. Great for X bracing on shelves etc.
Reply:Originally Posted by metalmagpie..... A couple of practice pieces and your welds look like they're TIG welded.
Reply:Originally Posted by metalmagpieTo butt weld the stuff I like to make tiny 90 degree bends on the ends, then butt the pieces together so the short legs stick up, then use an oxyacetylene torch with a small tip and no filler. Just melt the part sticking up, and keep moving so you don't burn through. A couple of practice pieces and your welds look like they're TIG welded.
Reply:If you need to dump some heat with a mig, pull back on the gun some and increase your stick out. That will tend to drop the temp at the puddle a bit if your settings are close, but you can't fine tune the puddle accurately enough with your machine.As far as useful things to do with steel banding, one of my buddies in my machining class sent me a suggestion he picked up on another forum to use some as a poor mans wavy parallel  in the milling machine vise. I need to find some steel banding and see how accurate it works with my  dial indicator..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