welding tips and tricks

[Pete102580]

I got a mig welder for xmas, and have been taking just about anything i can find in the garage and get some practice. its just a little guy, 120v plugs into the wall, wire feed. gas or flux core.

I'm having trouble with the settings- there's 4 voltage settings, a dial for wire speed and of course a regulator for the gas. I'm trying to find at least a good balance point setting for all three.

is there a common formula to figure out what to set all of this to? I can set it up to where its "ok"- but when i try to go from there and make small adjustments to anything for a better bead, it throws everything out of whack.

is there an optimal psi?

how do i know whats a good feed speed?

voltage?

i know it has everything to do with whats being welded- and ive been working with some new exhaust clamps and couplings i had laying around in the boxes. not rusty, as clean as can be.

tips?
pete

[Mopar318]

always 25-30cfm on the gas.

Wire speed and voltage all depends on what your welding, the type of machine, and the type of welder you are...so its kinda hard to give you any advice on settings.

What you can do is this to find out where you should be.

Set the wire about half way, now set the voltage low. Get a scrap piece of steel. Pull the trigger and start running a bead. While running the bead gradually adjust the voltage up until your weld starts to sound like sizling bacon. Should be a constand sizzle sounds with little splatter.

Now that you have your voltage set, start adjusting wire speed.

[uwntsumrtII]

there's nomally a diagram on one of the inside panels.

[Pete102580]

there's nomally a diagram on one of the inside panels.

::shivver::

went out to the garage and

::hits self over head::

sure enough there is, lol-
pete

[uwntsumrtII]

:rtfm: :jester:

[Pete102580]

always 25-30cfm on the gas.

.

thanks, that piece of info wasnt on the tag.

thats about where i got my best results. if i woulda paid attention and set my feed and voltage i think i woulda been golden.

we'll see what happens tomorrow, i dont feel like firing up the propane heater again
pete

[Mopar318]

thanks, that piece of info wasnt on the tag.

thats about where i got my best results. if i woulda paid attention and set my feed and voltage i think i woulda been golden.

we'll see what happens tomorrow, i dont feel like firing up the propane heater again
pete

also make sure you dont have a strong breeze going through your garage. It will blow the gas away and cause porosity.

BTW what brand of welder?

[Axiom]

also make sure you dont have a strong breeze going through your garage. It will blow the gas away and cause porosity.

BTW what brand of welder?

I'd like to know this as well. I'm interested in learning. :biggthumpup:

[Pete102580]

its a northern industrial. i havent figured out yet where its brand labeled from. either way- nothin fancy, just a little guy. enough to do exhaust, and most things around the house.
pete

[Mopar318]

its a northern industrial. i havent figured out yet where its brand labeled from. either way- nothin fancy, just a little guy. enough to do exhaust, and most things around the house.
pete

Yep no need for a $2200 Lincoln 235 Tig just for exhaust, like whats on the way to my house.:biggthumpup:

[Axiom]

its a northern industrial. i havent figured out yet where its brand labeled from. either way- nothin fancy, just a little guy. enough to do exhaust, and most things around the house.
pete

If you don't mind me asking. What's something like that cost?

[grapejuice1998]

http://www.millerwelds.com/resources/improving-your-skills/mig/

Watch the video for MIG welding principles.

[Pete102580]

Mark- i think it was about 325ish. a cunt hair cheaper than its lincoln or miller counterparts. i fucking hate mac's and it would take me too long to find the link and figure out how to post it here.... but if ya do a search at northern tool for mig welders gas / flux core, look for northern industrial brand and you'll see it- i want to say its model 135 or close to that.
pete

[Pete102580]

thanks alan, as soon as seinfeld is over ill give it a look, lol
pete