Welds for your comment

admin

Lincoln Pro Mig 135, welding 1/8" steel. I've been messing around with this for a few months off and on. I realize I need more practice.The machine label says I should be using flux core .035 for this thickness. I am running Ar/Co2 with .025 wire. Like I said, I have been practicing and need some comments.Should I run the thicker wire for 1/8"? What are the yellowish spots in the weld?Any comments and suggestions welcome.Thanks
Reply:You are about maxed out for the machine.  Bigger wire won't help.  Fluxcore has a little more penetration. Welds LOOK good, now try to break them.  The yellow spots are a sort of slag, no big deal and normal.David Real world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:From what I see, your welds look a little cold.  You might try to speed up your travel a little or turn up the volts on your machine if you can.  DavidR was right about the spots being slag.  Just use a wire wheel to take them off.It looks like you have a nice, steady hand though...that is more than half the battle right there!
Reply:I agree with weldrwomn on maybe a little cold or slow on the travel and I'll add work on a more consistant travel speed too.  As David R says, try breaking the weld as that will tell all regarding penetration issues.Keep the pics coming!MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:I do have another notch to go up on the power setting. When I had it at the highest setting, turning up the speed to get the sound right the weld was bigger. (obviously) so I was trying to make the weld smaller and cleaner. I'll do it again and post more pictures.Thanks for the comments.
Reply:If  you grind the millscale off, it will look better yet.  David Real world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Look good not bad at allUse .030 wire and have at it.  It will give a little bit more volts  on the electrode.   Im not sure if your machine supports that size with 1/8', but give it a try.  I think it might  work for you.  Those glass like spots are silicates from silicon in the wire to give it the fluid like characteristic for moving the puddle.  Some wire has more or less than others.  The average I think is like .070%.  Post more if you canAlso, you would have more penetration if your joint did not have a slight gap in the root from the tiny roundness of the  flat stock used.  You can cut it so it would have a more flush root. (squared off)Last edited by lewray; 10-29-2008 at 06:22 PM. weld it like you own it
Reply:Lewray you are correct about .030. E=I*R so if the amperage stays the same and the resistance goes up because of a larger wire then there is increased voltage.Last edited by Go1lum; 10-29-2008 at 10:22 PM. --Gol'
Reply:I think they look pretty good, maybe a little cold, but you will find out when you test em.Miller 140 w A/SHF Flux Core WelderDewalt Chop SawSmith O/A TorchHarley Electra Glide Classic
Reply:I see the weld pictured being made with torch traveling from left to right, which is ok if you pushed it left to right. It’s hard to tell but it appears that you may have pulled the weld.The normal procedure for solid wire MIG is a push torch travel.Pulling a GMAW is usually ok with 12 gauge and under as the penetration is less so distortion is less.You obviously know what you are looking for while welding so keep up the good work.
Reply:OK, somebody clue me in.  I always thought pull meant that the puddle was behind the torch as you worked the bead towards your body.  Push meant that the torch is ahead of your body working away from you.I learned to stick weld, and do the same motions with the wire welder, am I messing up?  I have the puddle away, and the torch close.  Please don't tell me I'm involved in another one of my disasters."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Puddle is in front of the torch when pulling   Puddle is behind of the torch when pushingDepending on the SITUATION you will most of the time pull.  Yes push on 1/8" is mostly accepted, but thinner than that push.  Dont have to though.Pulling will create more penetration.  Yes everybody and their brother will argue this till they are blue, but again it depends.Then on the other hand push depending on what plane you welding.As we speak, well not exactly this sec, Im pushing (forehand) on 3/8" mild steel.  Can you guess why?    Got to go back in the shop now weld it like you own it
Reply:Yes, the weld is pulled from left to right. I need to practice the pushing, it seems more natural to me to pull, I can see the weld better, so it seems. I will try to break it tomorrow and let you know. I have been working so I haven't been in the garage since the post.
Reply:Don't look too bad. Don't forget to get rid of that mill scale.
Reply:maybe a tad back and forth motion and a tag slower so it fills up nicer? tiny tweeks and your weld will look very good
Reply:I was only using forehand (pushing) on the 3/8" because I was going vertical up.   On fillets,flat, and funny positions I back hand on everything even 1/8', but below 1/8" it just depends.   It will give you more penetration when pulling. weld it like you own it