Welding help needed

-
d55dave

d55dave

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 20, 2010
Messages
2,585
Reaction score
1,130
Location
Kelowna, British Columbia
So i am just about to start welding a patch panel on the rocker of my 55 Dodge, and before I start I figured that I should check my welding ability first. To start with, here is the mig that I have, borrowed from a friend. I have had this welder on semi permanent loan for a year and have used it several times with, what I think is, decent results. I am also attaching a couple pictures of welds that I have done with it on my 50 Dodge gasser project. Bear in mind that I am in no way a trained or professional welder.

IMG_20201004_144508.jpg


IMG_20201004_144513.jpg


IMG_20201004_144552.jpg


IMG_20201004_144607.jpg
 
So the last time that I used this welder, a few weeks ago, to weld a winch onto my trailer, it started acting weird half way through the job. It started acting as if it was running out of sheilding gas. Yes, it is 120v. The argon tank has plenty in it, when i pull the trigger I can see the needle on the output gas guage move, and I can hear the gas coming out the end of the gun.
 
Here is an example of the welds that I am now getting on a practice piece. This series of welds were tried at different power and wire feed settings, and at different gas feed settings. I just want to see a nice pool with good penetration.

IMG_20201004_144440.jpg


IMG_20201004_144446.jpg


IMG_20201004_144454.jpg
 
I typically have the gas set at 25 to 30 cfh. What am I doing wrong? Is there a problem with me, or with this machine?

IMG_20201004_144458.jpg
 
Make sure there is no breeze to blow the cover gas away. Sometimes it doesn’t take much of a breeze to screw you.

Make sure the nozzle isn’t getting clogged with slag and junk and that junk isn’t impeding cover gas flow.

That’s all I got.
 
Is the nozzle clogged? Can you actually feel the gas coming out? Those welds bottom are definitely lacking any shielding.
 
OK, thanks guys. The nozzle is clear, maybe I will look deeper into the machine and see if there is a gas leak somewhere.....
 
When you pull the trigger so you actually see the gauge move on your regulator? Should drop some, I actually set my gas with the trigger pulled so I have an accurate reading.
 
Looks like gas bubble is getting blown away. My mig fan runs, blows air out the front, so i make sure its not pointing at my work. Too much gas can give you similar results too.
 
Dial the wire speed to zero, hold a sandwich bag over the nozzle, pull the trigger. It should inflate. I run a low setting as long as I'm inside with mine, like 12-15 cfh. Your pic looks like 30 cfh, might be too high if that is accurate.
 
I'm about to start " welding " so subscribed! Anything I've read/watched said 12-15 cfh, unless breezy/outdoors.
 
So yeah, I found the problem. Thanks for all the help! The biggest help was that it is a lack of sheilding gas, and to put a bag over the end of the welding tip to see how much gas is coming out. It turns out that even though I could hear a slight hiss at the tip, there was very little gas coming out.

The last time that I used it I must have pulled on the welding cable. The thumb screw that holds it into the welder was loose, and the cable end had slid out enough to expose the o ring and allow it to dump the gas into the welder. I pushed the cable back in, tightening the thumb screw and it now fills a plastic bag real quick.

Tomorrow I will try my skill welding a patch panel in!

IMG_20201003_140108.jpg


IMG_20201003_140127.jpg


IMG_20201003_141457.jpg
 
d55dave said:
So yeah, I found the problem. Thanks for all the help! The biggest help was that it is a lack of sheilding gas, and to put a bag over the end of the welding tip to see how much gas is coming out. It turns out that even though I could hear a slight hiss at the tip, there was very little gas coming out.

The last time that I used it I must have pulled on the welding cable. The thumb screw that holds it into the welder was loose, and the cable end had slid out enough to expose the o ring and allow it to dump the gas into the welder. I pushed the cable back in, tightening the thumb screw and it now fills a plastic bag real quick.

Tomorrow I will try my skill welding a patch panel in!

View attachment 1715606689

View attachment 1715606690

View attachment 1715606692
Click to expand...
Awesome! Glad you found it.
That old metal can be difficult. My 51 fargo has been a challenge to weld.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
-

Back
Top