Welding Setting question
- Thread starter bmxdad
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Aquaticbob
Well-known member
This is the section as far as I can tell. I've been posting all my newb weld questions here for a year or so. The pits can be caused by impurities in the weld. Try cleaning up the surface with a grinder, then welding
dr_clyde
Well-known member
Porosity is ALWAYS a function of shielding. This can be broken down into two main areas. Off gassing from the base metal or lack of external shielding.
Welding over paint, rust, mill scale, powder coat, ect will create gases that make little bubbles in the weld pool.
In TIG and MIG welding, if a breeze blows shielding gas away or if the wrong gas is used, the same effect happens.
In your case, it looks like crud on the base metal off gassed some active gas. Solution is to take a grinder and grind until you have bright, shiny steel.
Welding over paint, rust, mill scale, powder coat, ect will create gases that make little bubbles in the weld pool.
In TIG and MIG welding, if a breeze blows shielding gas away or if the wrong gas is used, the same effect happens.
In your case, it looks like crud on the base metal off gassed some active gas. Solution is to take a grinder and grind until you have bright, shiny steel.
neonnblack
Well-known member
Yeah wire wheel normally isnt enough to get to clean steel. Especially since that looks like it was incredibly rusted from all the pitting. 60 grit flap disc or grinding wheel will do it.
Yes, or even just a side to side "wave"....when welding left to right viewed aszkling, the weave ... is that when your doing cursive e's??
"((((((((((( " but yo have to watch the over lap and tie in on that one.
Post here.
There are lots of good welders here willing to help you get through the rough parts of the learning curve. Definitely practice on some good, clean steel at first. That will eliminate at least one variable when you are trying to improve your technique.
astroracer
Well-known member
Ditch the flux core if you want to get better. Mig welding with solid wire and 25/75 shielding gas will give much better and more consistent results. You will also see the pits disappear.
Mark
airrj
Well-known member
I'm with Mark on this one. I use flux core when I need it, but certainly for practicing shielding gas makes a much cleaner weld and it is easier to see what you have done. If you plan to use it at some point, step up to it now, your life will be easier.
Tronyadorable
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Firs thing is that looks like 3/8. That machine doesn't have the *** for 3/8. Get some 3/16-1/4 and bevel it. Weld two pieces together. Padding is fine with a stick machine but you want to be up and welding and QUICK. That's why you bought a MIG
steel 35
Well-known member
Polarity?
dr_clyde
Well-known member
Electrode should always be positive when wire welding.
steel 35
Well-known member
youngnstudly
Well-known member
He's not using solid wire though....he's using FC wire.
Yea, it's set up for DCEN. I have a couple of spools of flux core to burn through first ... then I'll get my tank exchanged, switch the polarity over, and start with the solid wire.
So whats the deal with Argon and C02. Some go straight C02, some with a 75/25 Argon/C02 mix, and some straight Argon? I was going to go straight C02. I have a 125cf tank that I bought, so just need to exchange it at Pacific Welding.
So whats the deal with Argon and C02. Some go straight C02, some with a 75/25 Argon/C02 mix, and some straight Argon? I was going to go straight C02. I have a 125cf tank that I bought, so just need to exchange it at Pacific Welding.
youngnstudly
Well-known member
Straight Argon is only for TIG welding or MIG aluminum, so you're down to CO2 and Argon/CO2.
I only run the mix for MIG welding. Depending on what you're welding, you could choose to go with straight CO2, but you might find that the additional clean up (splatter) is more than you expected. Both work well though, and I'd rather have CO2 than use flux core wire w/o shielding gas. I know a few guys that swear by CO2 though and they are in the welding profession.
Price the difference between the two and see how much the adapter for the regulator is for CO2. That may be your deciding factor for the time being if you find out that a cylinder exchange of CO2 is dirt cheap. I couldn't tell you either way since it's been years since I last used CO2 at work.
Andy
BD1
Well-known member
It is recommended if you use straight 100 % CO2 to have a dedicated CO2 regulator. A argon/CO2 regulator is not recommended to be used for straight CO2. http://www.usaweld.com/CO2-Welding-Flowmeter-p/12020-co2.htm
youngnstudly
Well-known member
I'd try the Argon/CO2 for sure in that case. I was thinking you had a CO2 setup from your post about the 125CF tank and that was your reasoning for wanting to go in that direction. As mentioned, I like welding with Argon/CO2, but many like straight CO2, and that's okay too.
Andy
Andy
fnieto
Well-known member
IF you are hell bent on going away from gasless wire, go to solid wire 0.030", 75/25 (argon/c02 mix, commonly called C25) and get a standard flow gauge (two dials).
Don't need a flow meter.
Don't get straight C02.
Don't allow this to be an excuse for learning gassless wire welding.
Straight C02 shielding for solid wire fills a very small niche for the home guy between gasless wire and mixed gas shielded solid wire. To be blunt, if you have to ask, it is not for you.
Don't need a flow meter.
Don't get straight C02.
Don't allow this to be an excuse for learning gassless wire welding.
Straight C02 shielding for solid wire fills a very small niche for the home guy between gasless wire and mixed gas shielded solid wire. To be blunt, if you have to ask, it is not for you.
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nnnnnate
Member
From what I have read being a noob is that straight CO2 burns hotter than the CO2/Argon mix. Depending on what you are going to weld this could cause issues with blowing holes in your metal and/or warping. You could learn to adjust but may be something to play with when you have more experience.
I'd say the biggest reason I went with the mix was lack or spatter. With flux I had to stop and wire brush my practice plate constantly. With gas I could do a ton more practice lines before needing to take a break.
I just got my gas on the 31st and am still dialing things in. I'm planning on making a 4x6 adventure trailer in the coming months.
I'd say the biggest reason I went with the mix was lack or spatter. With flux I had to stop and wire brush my practice plate constantly. With gas I could do a ton more practice lines before needing to take a break.
I just got my gas on the 31st and am still dialing things in. I'm planning on making a 4x6 adventure trailer in the coming months.
garfunkle24
Well-known member
Simply put C02 has better penetration with more spatter.
welder4956
Well-known member
Regulator may not work. I see it is set at 38 CFH but not hooked up to a bottle. It may have some pressure trapped between the gauge and the gas solenoid though.
welder4956
Well-known member
I paid $30 for my last 125 CF bottle of C25 a few weeks ago.
Out playing and got some practice in tonight ... I'm still using flux wire, but will be changing over to solid when I'm out. In the meantime ...
First photo is a scrap piece of angle iron, about 3/16 size. I know that there's a lot of porosity, but just trying to get the heat and wire feed down. Will be using the flux wire till gone, then onto the solid wire.
I was simply going up and down, pushing and pulling. Most of the settings were 4/50. Should the electrode? that the wire comes out of be flush with, inside of, or outside the edge of the gas cone?
The second picture is where I'm going to put a junction box and wire both the welder and plasma in to it. A 15' cord will come out of that for a 6-50 plug. Good or bad idea? Pain in the *** to keep plugging and unplugging a machine in..
First photo is a scrap piece of angle iron, about 3/16 size. I know that there's a lot of porosity, but just trying to get the heat and wire feed down. Will be using the flux wire till gone, then onto the solid wire.
I was simply going up and down, pushing and pulling. Most of the settings were 4/50. Should the electrode? that the wire comes out of be flush with, inside of, or outside the edge of the gas cone?
The second picture is where I'm going to put a junction box and wire both the welder and plasma in to it. A 15' cord will come out of that for a 6-50 plug. Good or bad idea? Pain in the *** to keep plugging and unplugging a machine in..
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Lx460
Well-known member
What brand wire are you using? Has it been exposed to excessive moisture? Try a different spool maybe?
Try lowering your temp down a notch or two and see how that works.
Try making the gap between your nozzle and work piece just a little bit wider.
Let us know if that helps.
As to your question I run my mig tip recessed in the nozzle about a 1/4" or so.
Anywhere from flush to 1/4" is acceptable. Just gotta see what works for you.
Try lowering your temp down a notch or two and see how that works.
Try making the gap between your nozzle and work piece just a little bit wider.
Let us know if that helps.
As to your question I run my mig tip recessed in the nozzle about a 1/4" or so.
Anywhere from flush to 1/4" is acceptable. Just gotta see what works for you.
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Lx460
Well-known member
Are you pushing or pulling in a straight line?
I figured out a long time ago that if I make little circles it works way better. Later I found out this is an actual technique. I never took any classes so it was a learning curve. This pic is what I try to do when I'm welding...
Small , tiny circles or letter "e".
I figured out a long time ago that if I make little circles it works way better. Later I found out this is an actual technique. I never took any classes so it was a learning curve. This pic is what I try to do when I'm welding...
Small , tiny circles or letter "e".
