Thread: Welding Advice NEEDED....

Hi Howee,

What sort of rods are you using? I found that when I changed over to CIG Satinweld my welds became a lot better and consistent, still not pretty, but better also higher voltage and a quicker run rate seems to prevent the blow holes in thin metal.


Cheers


Steve

Hi Steve,

I'm using Perma-Weld 2. mm.

Cheers

My Advice

Do a night course at TAFE practice practice practice = Good welding results. Seriously IF you can do a course N learn off a few pros n old timers your welding abilities will be propelled into different dimensions!

IS well worth the effort!

REgards Lou

Thanks Lou.

Up in Qld Brisbane I can only find the Adult Community Education (TAFE) that involves OXY welding looking for MIG I think.

Thanks for the tip.

Cheers

One way of welding thin stuff is to sneak up on it with tack welding. That is, when joining RHS or SHS just tack it quickly on each corner and in the middles. The point is that the increasing heat of the welding process is what starts mucking things up. If you tack and tack and let it cool, you may well be able to run a bead across each joint over the top of the tacks. The metal in the tacks will absorb some of the heat and prevent blow holes. Does that make sense? It's what I do.

I don't think welding rods or machine are to blame. Stick welding thin stuff is quite simply hard to do. That's why people use MIGs and TIGs for it. But you can do it if you sneak up on it and try and keep the temperature down. Comprendo?

Hi

You have not stated how thick the metal is. I would not be trying to weld much thinner sheet than the rod diameter.

The following actions will minimise burn through.

• Correct amperage – use the packet as a guide-use the lower range
• Short arc
• Short runs - 25mm max –stop. Let job cool a minute or two.
• Weld somewhere opposite and come back – as above.
• Quick travel speed

Grahame