question for welders - Page 2

Dragsinger · 10-05-2014, 10:08 AM

my original comment was, "what is changing between a good day welding to a day of poor performance"

I think the machines are not changing.

SSGT Mustang · 10-05-2014, 11:09 AM

Gas flow and draft at the shop, mig tips (condition), wire quality and speed, clean filler rod, tungsten diameter and grind...........clean metal, helmet darkness and distance of torch from work.

I know that most of that is obvious, but I've been welding more these days also, and have come to realize that it all matters........especially the last three.

My eye's aren't what they used to be, and I now need reading glasses. I've had to adjust back the darkness on my helmet which scares the hell out me. I've also had to pay special attention to torch distance while keeping the puddle moving at the right speed.

If my welding is poor on any given day, I stop, check everything, re-clean, change amperage and try again on scrap until I get it right.

Keep going, and keep up the good work. Cool build.

Dragsinger · 10-05-2014, 01:28 PM

thinking back the comment about oily/dirty may be my trouble. The tube that gave me trouble was oily and I only did a quick wipe. I will clean and retry.

Alan Roehrich · 10-05-2014, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dragsinger

thinking back the comment about oily/dirty may be my trouble. The tube that gave me trouble was oily and I only did a quick wipe. I will clean and retry.

Remember, anything you do not remove from the work or the filler will be in your finished product.

Kegracing · 10-05-2014, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dragsinger

thinking back the comment about oily/dirty may be my trouble. The tube that gave me trouble was oily and I only did a quick wipe. I will clean and retry.

Larry,
This has bitten me more than once. Clean metal, and filler is a big deal. TIG seems to be even more critical than MIG, or maybe I just don't have the experience with TIG that I need.
Keep pushing buddy!

Ken
Stock 412

Tom Goldman · 10-05-2014, 05:54 PM

Cleaning the weld area is definatly the first place I'd suspect, But as was posted earlier, I've had voltage issues from time to time as I'm at the end of a long run from the high voltage transformer.
Try having a helper moniter the line voltage while running a weld bead, sometimes the volt drop is not evident until the welder is under load.
Also once had a similar problem that resulted from a faulty ground cable that was broken at a factory splice in the cable and was under the insulation and was not visable, Altho I don't suspect you would have that problem with both welders.

Dragsinger · 10-05-2014, 01:31 PM

Keep going, and keep up the good work. Cool build.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thank You, I am having fun and it frustrates me when me work does not look good. And even more important if strength may be compromised.

10-05-2014, 10:08 AM	#1
Dragsinger VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Liberty City [East Texas] Posts: 1,760 Likes: 5 Liked 99 Times in 60 Posts	Re: question for welders my original comment was, "what is changing between a good day welding to a day of poor performance" I think the machines are not changing. __________________ Larry Woodfin 471W

10-05-2014, 11:09 AM	#2
SSGT Mustang Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Jersey Posts: 359 Likes: 35 Liked 204 Times in 54 Posts	Re: question for welders Gas flow and draft at the shop, mig tips (condition), wire quality and speed, clean filler rod, tungsten diameter and grind...........clean metal, helmet darkness and distance of torch from work. I know that most of that is obvious, but I've been welding more these days also, and have come to realize that it all matters........especially the last three. My eye's aren't what they used to be, and I now need reading glasses. I've had to adjust back the darkness on my helmet which scares the hell out me. I've also had to pay special attention to torch distance while keeping the puddle moving at the right speed. If my welding is poor on any given day, I stop, check everything, re-clean, change amperage and try again on scrap until I get it right. Keep going, and keep up the good work. Cool build.

10-05-2014, 01:28 PM	#3
Dragsinger VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Liberty City [East Texas] Posts: 1,760 Likes: 5 Liked 99 Times in 60 Posts	Re: question for welders thinking back the comment about oily/dirty may be my trouble. The tube that gave me trouble was oily and I only did a quick wipe. I will clean and retry. __________________ Larry Woodfin 471W

10-05-2014, 05:54 PM	#6
Tom Goldman VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Allentown,PA Posts: 2,479 Likes: 897 Liked 888 Times in 239 Posts	Re: question for welders Cleaning the weld area is definatly the first place I'd suspect, But as was posted earlier, I've had voltage issues from time to time as I'm at the end of a long run from the high voltage transformer. Try having a helper moniter the line voltage while running a weld bead, sometimes the volt drop is not evident until the welder is under load. Also once had a similar problem that resulted from a faulty ground cable that was broken at a factory splice in the cable and was under the insulation and was not visable, Altho I don't suspect you would have that problem with both welders. __________________ Tom Goldman 1500 SG , 1506 STK

10-05-2014, 01:31 PM	#7
Dragsinger VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Liberty City [East Texas] Posts: 1,760 Likes: 5 Liked 99 Times in 60 Posts	Re: question for welders Keep going, and keep up the good work. Cool build. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thank You, I am having fun and it frustrates me when me work does not look good. And even more important if strength may be compromised. __________________ Larry Woodfin 471W