Practicing some Welding

[ova50]

At the beginning of the year I bought a CIG stick welder and a Migmate gas/gasless welder at a garage sale.

In the past few days have been practicing with the CIG one, and my welds didn't look good at all, not very consistent.
I kept playing around with the electrode to job angles and the amps.

I practiced using 1/8" flat bar (for the metricated people 3mm)

This morning I finally got what I think is a reasonable weld, and had similar results each time thereafter.
To the experienced welding guys, does this look reasonable?.

I used 2.5mm rods at 70amp.

[MudRunnerTD]

looks good mate, you want to avoid the pitting you can see at the edge of your welds where there is a deepish trough. Speed up just a fraction or turn it down slightly. looks pretty flat though which is good. Keep at it.

[threedogs]

@ Ova you may find if you weave slightly side to side you will get a better cover and build up.
gotta be happy with that weld , dont forget to tack weld any job to stop it moving, well done

[mudski]

Thats a pretty good weld mate. I have owned a stick welder for the last 20 years, and now a mig for the last year and have been welding things on and off. And my welds still look like chicken poo.

[mudnut]

I'm having the same
issues. I have been
advised to use a
hair dryer on the
sticks to dry them out.

[Bloodyaussie]

I got a mig last week for my birthday and am learning all over again.. My arch welding is not bad so feel like I have gone backwards.

[AB]

Sorry Nic had to remove those images bud as someone doesn't want them shown here.

[ova50]

Thank guys!.
Will follow the advice, slow down a little, lower the amps & practice some more.

I was sweeping a little from side to side, and trying to get a weld that wasn't too high and looked consistent.
I originally had heap of problems getting the slag off, due to my crap welds. Once I managed to get what I thought was a good weld,
most of the slag would curl up when it cooled a little, leaving me with next to none to remove.

On the first pic I used about 80% of the rod and is about 5-6 inches long.
I bought a packet of both 2.5mm and 3mm rods in the GIG brand.

:cheers:

[Bigcol]

they look better than my last attempt

havent used my stick welder for about 14 yrs, wanted to weld up a bracket for a stand and bolt it onto my Caravan draw bar
thought to self...."hmmm better practice"
got 2 bits of 25x25x3 to weld down the middle of them

I managed to only get both together when I crossed over each one
should have zigged when I zagged

took about 4 hours and a packet of 2.5 welding rods to get sort of back having them permanently joined


they look ok, from what I can see, pretty good for home work

[ova50]

they look better than my last attempt

havent used my stick welder for about 14 yrs, wanted to weld up a bracket for a stand and bolt it onto my Caravan draw bar
thought to self...."hmmm better practice"
got 2 bits of 25x25x3 to weld down the middle of them

I managed to only get both together when I crossed over each one
should have zigged when I zagged

took about 4 hours and a packet of 2.5 welding rods to get sort of back having them permanently joined


they look ok, from what I can see, pretty good for home work


I bought the rods from a welding supply shop and asked the guy if he could give me some tips.
His answer, practice, and listen for the constant sound like bacon and eggs frying.
I think listening for that sound helped a great deal. :cheers:

[Bigcol]

yeah, I know..... I went to the shop to buy new rods, as I have several packets from the last time I was welding
couldnt be bothered putting them in the oven

brought a packet with 100 rods
went back and brought another
then, when I was sufficiently happy with my efforts
had to go down and buy another packet.......

only used 3 rods to weld up the bracket

but used 200 to get to the level I used to be at

[nissannewby]

Rod quality makes a big difference too. We use to use rods that were about $400 a box. But they were so good to weld with. Easy start, easy restart, smoother welding etc etc.

Also as its been stated putting the rods in the oven helps too.

As for your welds you are actually probable going to fast hence the under cut. No need to weave or zig zag you just have to aim to keep the edges of the weld as parallel as possible. So a little less speed with a smoother motion and you will be set. Pay attention to your pool as you do with your sound and it will really start to come together.

[ova50]

Rod quality makes a big difference too. We use to use rods that were about $400 a box. But they were so good to weld with. Easy start, easy restart, smoother welding etc etc.

Also as its been stated putting the rods in the oven helps too.

As for your welds you are actually probable going to fast hence the under cut. No need to weave or zig zag you just have to aim to keep the edges of the weld as parallel as possible. So a little less speed with a smoother motion and you will be set. Pay attention to your pool as you do with your sound and it will really start to come together.

Another suggestion I will take on board and try. Thanks.
The more I practice using the suggestions put forward the better I can get, (hopefully).
Hardest part I found was getting the weld in straight line. I found it easier if I held the hand piece with both hands.
:cheers:

[nissannewby]

Another suggestion I will take on board and try. Thanks.
The more I practice using the suggestions put forward the better I can get, (hopefully).
Hardest part I found was getting the weld in straight line. I found it easier if I held the hand piece with both hands.
:cheers:

Do you have a good pair of welding gloves? You can use your spare hand to steady the rod. But only if you are wearing gloves.

[ova50]

The gloves I used are leather and reach about halfway up to my elbow.
Thanks.

[nissannewby]

The gloves I used are leather and reach about halfway up to my elbow.
Thanks.

Cool. Well you just rest the on your hand or fingers about 2inches or so from the weld.

[Ben-e-boy]

Another suggestion I will take on board and try. Thanks.
The more I practice using the suggestions put forward the better I can get, (hopefully).
Hardest part I found was getting the weld in straight line. I found it easier if I held the hand piece with both hands.
:cheers:

I like to use my spare hand like if I were holding a pool cue, for me it stabilizes a full electrode.
Personally I would turn the amps up, stop weaving, and actually practice with 2 pieces of steel butted together,
I generally dont weave with a stick, even with a vertical up root welds I only wiggle the rod very slightly. It is only when I cap that I weave or christmas tree pattern. Depends what Im doing.

[ova50]

I like to use my spare hand like if I were holding a pool cue, for me it stabilizes a full electrode.
Personally I would turn the amps up, stop weaving, and actually practice with 2 pieces of steel butted together,
I generally dont weave with a stick, even with a vertical up root welds I only wiggle the rod very slightly. It is only when I cap that I weave or christmas tree pattern. Depends what Im doing.

Thanks Ben,
as I have said I will take all the advice and practice & practice.
What do you mean by when you say "cap"?
:cheers:

[Rossco]

Welds look really good for early days i reckon. I'm certainly no master on the arc but find supporting the rod with the back of your other hand helps get it all steady. I also used half rods when starting, just made it a bit easier to practice getting the arc going. Haven't touched the arc tho since getting a mig.

[Ben-e-boy]

Thanks Ben,
as I have said I will take all the advice and practice & practice.
What do you mean by when you say "cap"?
:cheers:

Another weld on top in laymans terms.

[BigRAWesty]

Good looking welds I say.
With a 2.5 rod you'll be maxing them out at a weld width of 5-6 mm. And.more than that and the material needed to fill the join is outdone by Flux.

I'm guessing your using a general purpose rod? Possibly a 12xp or something similar.
When the box runs out grab a box of 13S rods.
The slag is much more manageable and it's a much nicer weld.
Once your happy jump to a 16th rod. And have fun lol.

As mentioned before if your doing a 6+mm weld grab a 3.2 rod or do multiple runs. Grind out the Flux between runs though. General purpose Flux is a pick to weld over and just makes a mess.
Anyway. Top start. Keep going. It's amazing what you can do welding.

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[ova50]

Thanks Kallen, yes, the rods are general purpose.
Have made a note of the 13s rods, will get some and try them.
:cheers:

[Ben-e-boy]

Good looking welds I say.
With a 2.5 rod you'll be maxing them out at a weld width of 5-6 mm. And.more than that and the material needed to fill the join is outdone by Flux.

I'm guessing your using a general purpose rod? Possibly a 12xp or something similar.
When the box runs out grab a box of 13S rods.
The slag is much more manageable and it's a much nicer weld.
Once your happy jump to a 16th rod. And have fun lol.

As mentioned before if your doing a 6+mm weld grab a 3.2 rod or do multiple runs. Grind out the Flux between runs though. General purpose Flux is a pick to weld over and just makes a mess.
Anyway. Top start. Keep going. It's amazing what you can do welding.

Sent from my SM-G800Y using Tapatalk

Bugger that... jump onto 16tc's straight up :D no pussy footing about :D

[BigRAWesty]

Bahahaha why the hell not..

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[ova50]

Bugger that... jump onto 16tc's straight up :D no pussy footing about :D



Bahahaha why the hell not..

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And a note of what Ben has written.
:cheers: