24 replies to this topic

[coopdog]

after asking on here which would be a decent welder i got a clarkeweld mig 135te

 

i practiced on some thicker stuff and got it welding nice with that, but as soon as im trying some thinner stuff i cant get it to weld, its just blowing holes in it.

i rang my welding friend and he said when you lower the amp lower the wire speed, ive done all that and i still cant get a nice weld, its just spitting and leving a crap amount of weld.

 

ive tried adding more gas, and changing wire speeds and still nothing

so im guessing ive got the wrong wire or nozzle?

 

 

this is the best i could do :L

 

[Chance]

On the 'tools needed for welding' thread there is a picture of the setup sonik uses...the same welder. Try those settings if you havent already.

[coopdog]

hmmm weirdddd my welder was on 4 and still blowing holes.....

i ended up being just under 2 to stop it blowing holes :/

[castafiore]

I don't know the controls on your mig, but usual advice is to start with the lowest power setting (if doing body work), wire speed mid way setting, gas at about 10 litres per min - then adjust speed and gas from there. Excessive brown residue is sometimes a sign of too little shielding gas.

There are some good tutorials on the mig forum. I feel your pain though, getting your mig set up to weld right can be very frustrating. Even worse is when you weld great on practise metal, but it goes to pot and blows through when you start on the car.

[Daz1968]

It could be technique as well, there is nowhere near enough penetration on most them welds. I would turn power up and lower wire speed then try upping wire speed until you get a decent weld, the blow through is probably more technique and not moving fast enough, after a while you should be able to weld along an edge without blowing, not sure what wire size you have but 0.6 is best for bodywork but 0.8 is more than acceptable to use. Also ensure the earth clamp has a good connection.

[alex-95]

I think I have mine on setting 1 and wire speed around 5 1/2. are you just doing tacks? 

 

What size wire have you got?

[Stu.]

Its likely to be a technique issue rather than settings. How far away are you positioning the torch from the workpeice, at what angle? Is your moving speed to slow, or too fast?

If you're welding 1mm or less you wont be able to lay down any decent length of weld, but instead need to pulse weld (lots of tack welds overlaid) to prevent overheating and blowthrough.

It will come, you just need to keep adjusting your technique to get the weld to lay properly, and ensure you get acceptable penetration on the reverse side.

Your welds look like you're running 0.6mm wire (could be wrong), but if I were you I'd set the wire speed at about 5, set the welder to min and 1, then leave it there and work on continuingly adjusting you're technique to get the weld right.

Hope this helps you.

Edited by Stu., 16 April 2015 - 05:32 PM.

[coopdog]

sonik has the same welder as me and his is set wayyyyyy higher than mine :L

 

 

mine is on 2 with the wire speed as slow as possible and its just spitting at me haha

im not sure on the wire size, its just what came with it. ill double check the manual now, wwhat tip should i be using, it came with 3?

Edited by coopdog, 16 April 2015 - 05:31 PM.

[coopdog]

Its likely to be a technique issue rather than settings. How far away are you positioning the torch from the workpeice, at what angle? Is your moving speed to slow, or too fast?

If you're welding 1mm or less you wont be able to lay down welds, but instead need to pulse weld (lots of tack welds overlaid).

It will come, you just need to keep adjusting your technique to get the weld to lay properly, and ensure you get acceptable penetration on the reverse side.

Your welds look like you're running 0.6mm wire (could be wrong), but if I were you I'd set the wire speed at about 5, set the welder to min and 1, then leave it there and work on continuingly adjusting you're technique to get the weld right.

Hope this helps you.

im holding the tip about 4mm off at a slight angle.

i tried just tack welding and it blew holes in the top :/

[coopdog]

but i was trying to seam weld, i'll try tacking tomorrow and see what happens,

also i think my panel gap is a little to big on top

[coopdog]

righhhtttttt i think ive been a complete knob............................

 

ive been reading the twisty knob as power for some reason..........................................

 

 

MONGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG

 

i'll report back tomorrow if i stop being a complete dickkk

[Stu.]

I use a Clarke 135TE too. If your blowing through on a tack weld either you have the power setting too high or youre keeping the torch there too long.

Soniks settings there might be for plug welding, but if he can lay butt welds on thin sheet at that setting then he's a very experienced welder and has nailed his technique (which he is, and has. You only need to look at his build threads).

Dont run before you can walk. Patience and practice ....... :)

[Daz1968]

I find welding you need a gap between, strike up on the one side then drag to the other letting weld fill the gap, repeat this for short runs but you need to get a feel for when it's going to blow and just lay off welding before it does. Everyone works different I choose higher power and short runs, mine runs about 50 amp with 0.6 wire and just adjust wire speed so it feels right. I also weld backwards and pull the torch on thin stuff rather than push I find it easier as weld is thicker to strike to than the plate. Keep practicing you will find the sweet spot for you, argon mix gas is better than co2 as well

Edited by Daz1968, 16 April 2015 - 05:45 PM.

[Stu.]

righhhtttttt i think ive been a complete knob............................
 
ive been reading the twisty knob as power for some reason..........................................
 
 
MONGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG
 
i'll report back tomorrow if i stop being a complete dickkk

If you dont have a manual for the welder, you can download one from the internet. Might be worth getting one.

Oh, and you're not a dick. You're ironing out you're mistakes on scrap metal, which is a smart thing to do ;)

Edited by Stu., 16 April 2015 - 05:47 PM.

[coopdog]

 

righhhtttttt i think ive been a complete knob............................
 
ive been reading the twisty knob as power for some reason..........................................
 
 
MONGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG
 
i'll report back tomorrow if i stop being a complete dickkk

If you dont have a manual for the welder, you can download one from the internet. Might be worth getting one.

Oh, and you're not a dick. You're ironing out you're mistakes on scrap metal, which is a smart thing to do ;)

 

 

i just read the manual, which made me realise my mistake :L