Mig welding question.

[2CRUZ]

Hey Fellas I'm going to weld a 1/4 thick piece onto a thinner piece 10 gage. I'm going to weld on the edges. I have a Millermatic 211. Should I set my welder for the thickness of the thicker metal or the thinner one? I'm kinda new to welding.

 

[sberry]

with 030 solid set it for 1/4 which is pretty much wide open. Really make it melt, if you burn a hole in it then turn it down or go faster. With small migs lack of fusion on thicker pieces is a problem so start there.
You can see the bottom was set with the chart, not hot enough, good for vertical up or overhead, chilly for flat.

 

[matt_i]

I would set higher. Typically I weave the arc in either a C- shape as I go along. However, I spend just a little extra time on the thicker side, before changing direction, than I do the thinner side.

Right or wrong, I don't typically weld in a pure straight line. I feel like the above technique lets the full arc energy bear on both sides of the joint at least for a short time, but enough to get a little better penetration.

 

[sberry]

I try not to weave. I wiggle a little but am wanting the arc to hit just ahead, leading the puddle in the root, a little different with gaps. I have a neighbor, hobby guy I got to leave alone and let him weave, he does a good job the way he does it.

 

[pepi]

Definitely want to have the Heat for the think side, flow the filler from thick too thin.

Would also want to spot the weld run in many places, keeping the 10 gage trued. Could also spot the whole run until all are joined. Might be the best way for a first attempt and boot welder

Greg

 

[dffay]

The 1/4 setting is fine. But, be prepared to favor the heavy side and "wash" the molten puddle onto the lighter gauge then back to favoring the heavy stuff. Usually it's no more than changing the angle of attack with the mig gun. And, you might not want your wire speed too slow so you are forced to linger in a spot just to shoot wire into the puddle.

 

[2CRUZ]

Thank you Fellas that is exactly what I needed to know.

 

[VC455]

Thank you all, many of us lurkers also benefited from the question and various perspectives

 

[sberry]

Welding is so hard to photograph, Jody T Tips & Tricks does a great job. I have only watched a couple but you can "float" the arc on top of the puddle to reduce penetration, you have to do this with a gap or the wire will shoot thru. With a fillet we want the arc down in the root ahead of it. More than a C it is a triangle wiggle of sorts to fuse and wash the sides all the way from the root out. The penetration occurs in the root, is mostly a function of joint design, The rest is fusion or simply "melting".

 

[sberry]

The voltage is the arc intensity, it's not really the "heat" with a feeder. It takes 2 adjustments, the wire speed is really the amperage.