The "Teach TheBoy to Weld" thread

[Lazydocker]

Good welding (for the inexperienced) is 90% preparation! Get the grinder on the metal and get it really clean, then you'll find it much easier to get a clean weld

Any contaminants will make the splatter even more noticeable!

Oh, and sunglasses are not suitable eye protection

[shyboy]

Swallow your pride and buy the Haynes welding manual. It's a pretty useful reference.

[Marks DTM Calib]

well, seeing as J cant tell the difference between Ally and Steel(snigger), i dont feel quite so sad asking;
whats the differance between the 3 main types,mig tig and arc (is it?) and more importantly what is it that makes them more suitable for one application or material or whatever?

I was under the impression ally needed one sort and steal another which leaves me wondering what the third ones for? ...... Both? (Blush)

Arc  ( stick) is better for thicker metal ie exhausts
mig is better for thin metal ie sills and so
I belive but no doubt everyone will correct me if Im wrong.

The only reason why arc is more suited to larger metal is because MIG is limited to a maximum wire feed rate and diameter and hence there is a theoretical currant limt.

Exhausts are not what I call think metal though, MIG is best suited to them!

Stick is not to hard (I have some RSJ's to weld with stick in the next few weeks), the real art is striking the arc, you either use a scratch technique or, I use a tap technique. Then its a case of maintaining the arc by keeping the electrode the right distance from the work piece! (remembering it burns down as you use it)

TIG is nice, its about the closest you can get to gas welding and is nice for aluminium etc.

I would love to get hold of a good TIG welder ideally with plasma cutting capabilities

[CaptainZok]

Good welding (for the inexperienced) is 90% preparation! Get the grinder on the metal and get it really clean, then you'll find it much easier to get a clean weld

Any contaminants will make the splatter even more noticeable!

Oh, and sunglasses are not suitable eye protection

Like this you mean?

[MikeDundee]

well, seeing as J cant tell the difference between Ally and Steel(snigger), i dont feel quite so sad asking;
whats the differance between the 3 main types,mig tig and arc (is it?) and more importantly what is it that makes them more suitable for one application or material or whatever?

I was under the impression ally needed one sort and steal another which leaves me wondering what the third ones for? ...... Both? (Blush)

Arc  ( stick) is better for thicker metal ie exhausts
mig is better for thin metal ie sills and so
I belive but no doubt everyone will correct me if Im wrong.

The only reason why arc is more suited to larger metal is because MIG is limited to a maximum wire feed rate and diameter and hence there is a theoretical currant limt.

Exhausts are not what I call think metal though, MIG is best suited to them!

Stick is not to hard (I have some RSJ's to weld with stick in the next few weeks), the real art is striking the arc, you either use a scratch technique or, I use a tap technique. Then its a case of maintaining the arc by keeping the electrode the right distance from the work piece! (remembering it burns down as you use it)
TIG is nice, its about the closest you can get to gas welding and is nice for aluminium etc.

I would love to get hold of a good TIG welder ideally with plasma cutting capabilities

Now I remember what the trainer told me all those years ago , still can't remember the settings for the arc welder though

[Dazzler]

Oh, and another quickie, where can I get some more sheet metal from? Likes of B&Q etc?

A good car spares shop will sell sheet metal

[SJKOO01]

Don't know if this link would be of help to you ?.

Maybe helpful to get better idea rather than reading books to get the idea ?.

http://www.frost.co.uk/item_Detail.asp?productID=9484&frostProductName=Mig%20Welding%20DVD%20&catID=&frostCat=&frostSubCat=&subCatID=

http://www.frost.co.uk/item_Detail.asp?productID=8374&frostProductName=Mig%20Welding%20by%20Chris%20Graham&catID=&frostCat=&frostSubCat=&subCatID=

Or if you want a book as well, maybe this would help ?.

If it's not of help to you, then I've wasted this thread then chap !! 

Good luck 

[Lazydocker]

Good welding (for the inexperienced) is 90% preparation! Get the grinder on the metal and get it really clean, then you'll find it much easier to get a clean weld

Any contaminants will make the splatter even more noticeable!

Oh, and sunglasses are not suitable eye protection

Like this you mean?

I thought we told you to buy the Gnome a proper automatic mask!

[over50now]

My son went to a local exhaust place. Said he wanted to learn how to weld and could he have a few old discarded exhaust parts to practice on.  Let him have a couple of old bits for nothing.  Saves buying some new stuff from B & Q.  HTH

[TheBoy]

Swallow your pride and buy the Haynes welding manual. It's a pretty useful reference.

I have it already - this thread was more for show, and as a lasting guide for others perhaps interested in 'playing' with a mig

[Kevin Wood]

I thought we told you to buy the Gnome a proper automatic mask!

Ahh! You'll need one of those. Much easier when you're not trying to do it single-handed - or blind.

Kevin

[TheBoy]

I thought we told you to buy the Gnome a proper automatic mask!

Ahh! You'll need one of those. Much easier when you're not trying to do it single-handed - or blind.

Kevin

Mr Postie (actually, Miss Postie this week) should be bringing mine tomorrow. Shame I'm in Sheffield 

[Kevin Wood]

Going back to the lack of shielding gas, I've found on my Clarke welder the little regulator that goes on top of the (disposable) gas cannisters is a bit variable. It appears to rely on actuating the valve in the top of the cannister and (my theory goes) these vary in depth.

On some cannisters, setting it mid-dial works OK. On others I have to turn it up fully open to get any gas at all.

I have found the best policy is to ignore the graduations on the regulator, power down the welder, pull the trigger then set the regulator by ear so you can hear a reasonable escape of shielding gas from the torch.

Kevin

[TheBoy]

Well, it ain't pretty, and it probably ain't that strong, but I've welded my first 2 bits of steel together with a MIG welder.



I tried belting it with a mallet, but the plate bent instead, so it has some element of strength.

Anything I should specifically check for to check the weld is any good?  Any other advice for improving ?

This was 2mm plate, I guess more normal 1mm is more difficult?

[hotel21]

Well, it ain't pretty, and it probably ain't that strong, but I've welded my first 2 bits of steel together with a MIG welder.



I tried belting it with a mallet, but the plate bent instead, so it has some element of strength.

Anything I should specifically check for to check the weld is any good?  Any other advice for improving ?

This was 2mm plate, I guess more normal 1mm is more difficult?

Turn it over and post up another piccy.

Cant beat a bit of penetration....

Ooooo Matron!!