This is my first mild steel welds.... Top 5 beads are without filler



And here are a few more after maybe 20 minutes of practice...



First question is concerning starting the ARC. It seems that sometimes the high frequency start works fine and will bridge the gap. Other times it seems like i need to scratch start. Its an older Miller 330 abp. And I've checked the contact point gap and is with in specs (.010" as i recall). I have the HF adjusted to max and still isn't constant on the HF starts. Any suggestions / advise is welcome.

Thanks!

 

try just touching the work for a second with the tungsten before you hit the pedal...my syncrowave does that on occasion and that seems to work

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by k24em2 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">try just touching the work for a second with the tungsten before you hit the pedal...my syncrowave does that on occasion and that seems to work</TD></TR></TABLE>

I tried that and it seems to work almost everytime now. is there a reason for this ?

 

probably, haha...not sure why but it does

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by k24em2 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">try just touching the work for a second with the tungsten before you hit the pedal...my syncrowave does that on occasion and that seems to work</TD></TR></TABLE>

i do the same except i touch the cup, it gets annoying sometimes but its better than the tungsten sticking to the work piece using LIFT ARC, both my old and new dynasty do the same with the HF start and LIFT ARC.

 

looked odd at first cuz they were backwards, guess your a lefty

 

here is a few welds i did this afternoon... I would appreciate feedback

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ROTARY &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

i do the same except i touch the cup, it gets annoying sometimes but its better than the tungsten sticking to the work piece using LIFT ARC, both my old and new dynasty do the same with the HF start and LIFT ARC.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I dont use lift arc, i just tap the work and then lift it off then hit the pedal

 

you misread what i wrote, i said that i use HF too but i touch the cup instead of the tungsten.

 

i physically tap the work with the point of the tungsten

 

they look like welding beads. Try actually welding something together, you'll get more feedback. Try doing some T's, laps and butt joints.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by k24em2 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i physically tap the work with the point of the tungsten</TD></TR></TABLE>

thanks for making that clear.. i thought you meant mentally.....

 

in for progress

 

quit fluctuating your heat so much, move at a steady pace, and dab filler like your playing the drums, as in dab filler at a steady pace, all while continuing to move your tungsten.

 

You're ready to start selling manifolds

 

i weld lefty--

 

good. now learn to weld righty too. being able to do both well can be very useful. same goes for the left and right foot for the pedal also.

 

Very true, I weld with both left and right hand when I mig at work. Sometimes it's the only way to get to a weld. Still working on my tig skills, don't do as much at work.

 

did some playing with aluminum tonight! You will laugh about what i used for filler. Didnt have a chance to make it to welding supply shop...... Harbor freight to the rescue.... Used a roll of .030" aluminum mig wire then took 4 strands and clamped in a vise then the other end in a cordless drill and spiraled them together...ta-da! Filler rod

 

it's not that uncommon to use mig wire for tig filler. Save money. You still need to start welding joints, it's a lot different then just welding on flat material. I can tell you that you are not filling in your crater at the end of some of the beads, very important when welding aluminum. Pause torch at the end and dab the filler to fill it in, it will be the first source for a crack to start.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by KENetics1 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">it's not that uncommon to use mig wire for tig filler. Save money. You still need to start welding joints, it's a lot different then just welding on flat material. I can tell you that you are not filling in your crater at the end of some of the beads, very important when welding aluminum. Pause torch at the end and dab the filler to fill it in, it will be the first source for a crack to start.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yeah i was TRYING to do the back off power and dab. sometimes i would get it others i wouldnt. And im still working on trying to be fluid and consistant. Im trying just beads for now but soon i'll be welding together pieces. Just havent had as much time as i would like this week, with work, kids and wife ya know! not to mention my 13 and 17 year old wanting to run the welder too.

 

you know he might have just taken the picture from the otherside of the plate making it look like he welded it lefty

Not bad for just starting out.

I'll jump on the ambi welding bandwagon too Didnt really have to learn to weld with my off hand since I don't have an off hand

 

You need to physically weld something together. Welding just on flat plate really doesn't teach you much. Just getting your basic rhythm is ok, but move on to joints.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RC000E &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">You need to physically weld something together. Welding just on flat plate really doesn't teach you much. Just getting your basic rhythm is ok, but move on to joints.</TD></TR></TABLE>
I agree, i just haven't had much time. Im hoping to do some more welding tonight or tomorrow. Getting torch time when your 13 year old and 17 year old want to weld also makes it hard. Plus im in the middle of putting new floor panels in one of my cars.

 

what kinda car is that looks fun