Weld only sticking to one side?

admin

Ok, so I bought my first welder, a millermatic 130. It is used but in great condition. I tried it out on a piece of 16 ga steel and was really surprized at how easy it was for me to make half decent welds. But then I tried to use it on my car project to weld the inner fender(22 ga)? to the shock mount brace (12 ga)?, anway the weld only stuck to the shock mount steel and nothing stuck to the inner fender. I thought that I cleaned both surfaces about the same, should I try some welding primer between the surfaces? it is a flange weld. I did try adjusting the voltage a bit. Attached Images
Reply:I'm not seeing a weld in this picture, just a bunch of black stuff. Where's the filler metal? Also, is it just the light, or does that look painted?"We live in an age when unnecessary things are our only necessities. "   - Oscar WildeMaxstar STL150Eagle CPM30 Bender
Reply:Chris. Its pretty easy to lay down a weld bead with a MIG that has no penetration. They don't call them squirt guns for nothing. In order to make good welds, you have to learn to watch the puddle (molten metal) to see if it is wetting out both sides of the weld, as well as if it looks like it is penetrating. I am surprised that with such thin metal you didn't get penetration, but it happens. Also check to make sure you have the machine set right, and that you have a good ground on the work. As Artswork is pointing out, you also have to make sure you have cleaned the metal down to bare metal, both at the ground and where you are welding.Lincoln 175HD Miller AC/DC ThunderboltSmith AW1, Dillion (Henrob) Mark III, & Smith LittleTorch
Reply:Where you using your welders ground on the shock mount?If so, you may not be grounding both metals together if there is a lot of paint and so forth between the 2 pieces, you need to make sure that both metals are grounding together!Clean off a good area on both where they fit up together, and make sure you have a good clean spot to put your ground clamp on.It also looks like your running to cold, but that also could be due to poor grounding!#1. If you don't like what I wrote, or if it offends you, then don't read it!#2. I am living life the way I see fit, if you don't like the way I'M living, tough sh**!
Reply:It looks like he removed the paint from the weld area.Anyhoo- ya gotta set the machine for the thicker 12g material and then "wash" back over to the lighter gauge 22gAlso- wherever the Work Clamp is attached, the paint has to be removed.Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:i would gently ask whatis welding primer?
Reply:Originally Posted by weldbeadi would gently ask whatis welding primer?
Reply:Sorry if I was sounding obnoxious there. But seriously, I can't see what's happening in that photo. To summarize all this other great advice:Get all the paint offMake sure the ground is goodMake sure both pieces are grounded (sometimes the first part of the weld can ground the 2nd piece, but don't start out that way).Flow the thick metal into the thin.Now go out there and melt some steel!"We live in an age when unnecessary things are our only necessities. "   - Oscar WildeMaxstar STL150Eagle CPM30 Bender
Reply:Ok, Went back out there and tried again. Well I turned up the voltage and the first weld blew thru the inner fender, thats ok, now I know, the second weld was better, not perfect but I did get the weld to work. I even made a copper paddle and filled in the hole,(learned this here on-line, this was the first time I tried it). Thanks for the info Guys, now a few more questions.. I have the secondary set up at 25 cfh, is that about right? Also, I keep turning the welder off after each weld, good or not? oh yeah the primary side of the bottle is at 5000 psi how full is that. Don't know cause the bottle came with the welder just got it yesterday.Thanks Again. Attached Images
Reply:About all you are doing when you turn off the welder for short periods between welds is to wear out the switch faster. When there is no welding current in the secondary windings, there is also almost no current in the primaries. I only turn mine off if it is going to be some time before I strike the next arc.Lincoln 175HD Miller AC/DC ThunderboltSmith AW1, Dillion (Henrob) Mark III, & Smith LittleTorch
Reply:The second set of pictures look like you are directing your weld at the thinner fender material, because rthe little blobs on the shock mount look "cold" (not wetted into the metal, but, rather, 'stuck' on top of it).  As per Broccoli, above, get your weld puddle going on the thicker shock mount part, then "wash" it over onto the thinner fender...but don't linger too long, or you'll blow through.  You'll get the hang of it pretty quick!"Good Enough Never Is"MIller AC/DC  ThunderboltHobart HH180, 125EZRiland Cut 40 Plasma oxy/act  outfitTons of "stuff", all treasures to me!
Reply:keep the machine on- it keeps the fan onEd Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:Turn down your wire speed and check your polarity.Esab Migmaster 250Lincoln SA 200Lincoln Ranger 8Smith Oxy Fuel setupEverlast PowerPlasma 80Everlast Power iMIG 160Everlast Power iMIG 205 Everlast Power iMIG 140EEverlast PowerARC 300Everlast PowerARC 140STEverlast PowerTIG 255EXT
Reply:Ain't a good wire dude, and not too much of a stick dude.The weld's coldIf you have trouble controlling a  hot weld, and a lot of people do.  Turn it up to the next tap(volts), and slow the wire speed down.Aim the gun down into the thicker piece of metal, get a hot puddle going, then wash it into the lighter metal(as other folks have said).  But don't just "wash" it.  Point the gun directly at the vertical piece for a second.  It gets some heat into it, and penetrates.In a situation like this, forget about pointing the gun in a perfect 45 degree angle into the joint.  Wash, and hold the gun directly at the uphill wall for a split second.  It ties it together.You'll get the hang of it"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:A full bottle reads between 12000 and 16000.Depending on the gas I think
Reply:chrisd6875 sez:     "oh yeah the primary side of the bottle is at 5000 psi how full is that."WHughes advises chris--"A full bottle reads between 12000 and 16000."Guys--Accuracy counts--especially in discussing high pressure bottles, gages, regulators.Take a closer look at the fine print on the guage faces, please.Anybody here use a 25,000 PSI bottle? Do I hear 50,000?Blackbird
Reply:Dave,Thanks, I just ran out to the garage and checked, it is actually 700 PSI. I was reading the KPI side of the gauge. So the other poster must mean that bottles come in at about 2500 PSI. Yes/No?By the way thanks for the clarification, I would have made a fool of myself when I go to refill the cylinder.
Reply:Originally Posted by dave powelsonTake a closer look at the fine print on the guage faces, please.
Reply:Originally Posted by chrisd6875Dave,Thanks, I just ran out to the garage and checked, it is actually 700 PSI. I was reading the KPI side of the gauge. So the other poster must mean that bottles come in at about 2500 PSI. Yes/No?By the way thanks for the clarification, I would have made a fool of myself when I go to refill the cylinder.
Reply:A 'full' bottle pressure depends on the pressure rating of the bottle.A 3AA2015 cylinder is rated for 2015 psi at 'full'.  If the cylinder is + rated, then it could get a 10% overfill up to 2215 psi in this case.  2500 psi on such a cylinder is waaay overfilled.A 3AA2400 cylinder is rated for 2400 psi at 'full', if + rated the 10% overfill would mean up to 2640 psi.Your shielding gas flow rate of 25 cfh is OK, you may be able to go a little lower if you are inside with no drafts or breezes.  General 'recommended' gas flow rate for small GMAW machines is 20 cfh +/- a little bit.First welder and first welds?  Get some practice before welding car parts together.  Go to Miller or Lincoln or ESAB or etc, etc websites and read up and look at some of the info and pictures about GMAW (aka MIG) welding.  The best laid schemes ... Gang oft agley ...
Reply:First welder and first welds? Get some practice before welding car parts together. Go to Miller or Lincoln or ESAB or etc, etc websites and read up and look at some of the info and pictures about GMAW (aka MIG) welding.