50 replies to this topic

[wot179]

Cut some holes in an old panel,then weld them back in using different methods.That is by far the best way to see what each method does.

Dont take shortcuts in your trial,be patient and methodical and try to get every repair perfect. You will learn plenty.

All the listed methods have their application,only experience will tell you what works best for you.

Dont forget to do some trials near the edge of the panel where you have no rear access.

[76lxhatch]

Works OK for manufacturers who spot weld everything, I guess plenty of seam sealer...

[TerrA LX]

But doesnt overlapping the panels provide air gaps between the 2 and areas for water etc to get trapped and cause rust?
Yes, OEM.
or do you use seam sealer on every weld?
Ditto.
They last 30yrs+ if you did don't submerged them.

[TerrA LX]

Is the gas is leaking out of the line?

[rodomo]

Looking at your weld I would say turn the amps up or the wire speed down, try wire speed down.

[TerrA LX]

I also tried pressing the trigger abit without actually creating an ark to sorta get the gas "primed" but was still the same... Im leaning towards a wire feed problem? how do you know if you got the correct tension on the feeder?

I carry an old pair if side cutters on the mig and snip the end off the feed wire for a fresh start.

[GTR600]

With out reading the whole thread if your getting wire then your wire feeder is fine,

porosity in your welds can be caused by several things.

moisture or surface contamination these i dont think so im sure your metal has been cleaned free of paint and rust,

flow rate to high or more likely to low just screw in the big black knob on your gauge until you reach say to 15 liters per minute.

excessive wind or air movement,

then again in your wire feeder there is a solinoid mind the spelling that i think will controlle open and closed on the gas, if you pull the trigger and get nothing at all then

you may need some repaires.

there are other small things that do affect gas shielding like gun angle and stick out but the welds look good enough from here.

with your wire feed as long as you pull the trigger and get wire you should be good.it should be able to handle a little resistance by hand.

hope this helps a little.

[Com_VC]

Hey all... Ok well been doing abit of welding of late and am getting better... just 1 problem... When Im doing the tack tack tack... cool.... tack tack tack... cool... method (buttwelded sheetmetal together) the first tack I goto do is always crap, when I pull the trigger it goes, bang bang bang (splat splat splat) then ZZzzzzzzz and does a weld... but then if I do the next tacks pretty quickly (withing say 10seconds) they just go Zzzzzzzz... Zzzzzz... Zzzzz perfectly.... but then if I wait too long, 15seconds Plus... once again the first tack goes pop pop pop zzzzz...

Any ideas?

Here's my latest effort

It could be doing the splating because the steel has cooled down, ie if you insufficient amps. if you turned the amps up this may solve your problem but then it may be too hot. You will just have to play around with the settings, turn the wire down a bit. etc.

This is a lot more noticible when mig welding aluminium. The first part of the weld is always cold. Some high end migs have hot start to compensate for it.

[GTR600]

Sorry,

i was referring to setting the tension on the rollers.

Yes slr your amperage is set through your wire feed.

[racean69]

A rule of thumb for wire tension is light presure on the edge of the roll of wire with the palm of your hand should stop the wire feeding and make

the rollers slip... don't continuely do this though as it will cause an excess of wire shavings to be drawn into your liner causeing grief... this

tension setting is for solid wire not cored.. the tension for cored wire is much less. a quick check for excessive tension on cored wire is

let a bit of wire feed out of hand piece it should remain straight and not curl up in a spiral, this is called birdcageing.

another tip to to regulary remove your hand piece cable from the machine, remove contact tip, lay it out straight and blow it through with comp

air from tip end back, it will remove any fines in the liner.


When welding always keep your cable as straight and not looped as possible.

Cable/liner problems can be the cause of some hard to detect/solve problems when welding.

Always make sure you have a good earth to this can cause stabbing at the handpiece.