Welding tips?

[Sportsdoc]

I tried over the weekend to weld my new battery/heater shelf with some success. I borrowed a MIG welder, but my welds were spotty. Any tips on making a nice smooth bead?

I fooled with high and low heat settings and wire speed without much difference. Also turned the gas on but no change.

Thanks.

 

[Glen_B]

Always use the gas, use the highest voltage you can without blowing holes through the steel. Proper tip angle used with a pulsing ON/OFF approach will keep the puddle heat just right and prevent melt-through. Pulsing the trigger is a big help.

Glen Byrns

 

[Trevor Jessie]

Clean metal is also very important.

 

[Sportsdoc]

Thank you guys, I'm going to give it another shot this weekend.

 

[drooartz]

Do a search of the "Tools" forum here on the BCF. There's a couple threads about welding that might be handy. Good luck!

 

[regularman]

What kind of wire are you using? If you are using the flux cored wire then it is different from the plain wire with the gas. I have learned to use each and each is very different.

 

[Sportsdoc]

I think it is the plain wire with the argon gas.

 

[blkcorvair]

what type of mig welder, Amps, brand are you using. Generally mine does very well on the lowest possible volt setting with a wire speed of four and gas on 30. (for sheet metal repairs) But they're all so different. Took me half a year to get my welds "close to perfect"

 

[aeronca65t]

This online training course (from Miller) may help.

https://www.millerwelds.com/education/basicMIG/index.htm

I think there are others (from other companies) like this too.

 

[John Moore]

Rather than lay down I bead, I would try a puddle weld, which would resemble the original spot welds and much, much easier for a novice.

 

[tosoutherncars]

I would agree with John. Pre-drilling or punching holes and doing spot (rosette) welds would be a lot easier, and would look more 'stock'.

 

[Sportsdoc]

A novice I definitely am, so I will give these techniques a try during my next garage session.

 

[Gray_Cat]

Give this website a try. There is a neat little how to video and the folks that visit are very helpful and knowledgeable. It's UK based but lots of US visitors on it.
Roy
https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/ /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/driving.gif

 

[regularman]

I much prefer the flux cored wire without gas. That way if you feel you are burning through a thin metal then you can back off and let the wire come wire come out farther and don't burn in as deep. wiht the gas you can't do that. Not as clean a job but much better on old thinner or rusted metals. Great on exhaust pipes and such.