Welding advice
Discussion
Quick one, my welder's been peeing me off today! (well my incompetence but you know what I mean!)
Been trying to close a butt joint upside down, it's a cheapie MIG welder. I did the identical job on the other half of the car a few weeks ago and managed OK. But today it seems like the weld is just balling up and running back down onto the tip, not hitting the surface I'm trying to weld... the arc is good and steady and the surface is melty but the metal I'm adding ain't going uphill!
The arc sounds really chilled out like I'm on about 10A but the thing's on max...
The only difference I can think of is I'm using argon/CO2 this time and I *think* last time I was on pure CO2... would that make the difference?
Ta!
Been trying to close a butt joint upside down, it's a cheapie MIG welder. I did the identical job on the other half of the car a few weeks ago and managed OK. But today it seems like the weld is just balling up and running back down onto the tip, not hitting the surface I'm trying to weld... the arc is good and steady and the surface is melty but the metal I'm adding ain't going uphill!
The arc sounds really chilled out like I'm on about 10A but the thing's on max...
The only difference I can think of is I'm using argon/CO2 this time and I *think* last time I was on pure CO2... would that make the difference?
Ta!
Sounds like the reel speed mate, increase the speed and all should be well.
However if you previously welded a simular good joint with the settings unchanged I suggest that the feed cable containing the wire is at a too sharp angle this can happen in tight acces areas.
Ideally you should try to run the cable as straight as possible, this helps to maintain a consistant flow of wire.
I am not sure of your model but most MIGs can be adjusted to increase the grip on the wire by tightening the feed roller mechanism if they are not gripping the wire sufficently it can slip and again reduce speed .
Lastly the wire on the reel can become very slightly rusty especially in damp winter conditions not as much as you would notice but rust deposits build up in the sleeve to the tourch again restricting speed, strip and clean the internal sleeve to regain unhindered feed.
Hope this helps.
However if you previously welded a simular good joint with the settings unchanged I suggest that the feed cable containing the wire is at a too sharp angle this can happen in tight acces areas.
Ideally you should try to run the cable as straight as possible, this helps to maintain a consistant flow of wire.
I am not sure of your model but most MIGs can be adjusted to increase the grip on the wire by tightening the feed roller mechanism if they are not gripping the wire sufficently it can slip and again reduce speed .
Lastly the wire on the reel can become very slightly rusty especially in damp winter conditions not as much as you would notice but rust deposits build up in the sleeve to the tourch again restricting speed, strip and clean the internal sleeve to regain unhindered feed.
Hope this helps.
The gas will make no difference,should actually be better. We use Argoshield Universal all the time.
As to the problem it's going to be poor earthing in the form of a loose joint somewhere or the earth clamp
in poor condition. Carefully feel the wires and joints to detect if something's hot where it shouldn't be.
Check welding on clean scrap metal to make sure of your settings. Also check your tip isn't loose and what
your welding hasn't too much rust on it.
As to the problem it's going to be poor earthing in the form of a loose joint somewhere or the earth clamp
in poor condition. Carefully feel the wires and joints to detect if something's hot where it shouldn't be.
Check welding on clean scrap metal to make sure of your settings. Also check your tip isn't loose and what
your welding hasn't too much rust on it.
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