11 replies to this topic

[mk=john]

Hi
I am currently having problems while MIG welding. I have been MIG welding for about a year now, with no real problems until now.

Anyway, recently I have switched at Argoshield gas, and this seems to weld nicer than Co2. However, when I bump the power up to the next highest setting, there is no nice crackle sound as on the lower settings. I have tried to adjust wire speed and gas flow, with not much success, and the consequence is the weld does not penetrate at all.

There seems to be plently of wire coming out, but the crackle sound is missing. It's as iff the wire is just melting away?? When welding, the weld is not penetrating the metal at all.

I have tried altering wire speed, gas flow etc. I have also replaced the tip, thoroughtly cleaned the torch.

Any clues??

Thanks

Edited by mk=john, 05 July 2009 - 09:58 PM.

[crossy71]

To start with why have you gone to a higher setting? thicker material?

Some welders i have used lose the nice "crackle" on thick materials and produce what can be described as a hiss/humming noise.

My advice would be to check your welders handbook because most house hold power supplies can not handle some higher settings and the handbook will tell you what sort of power supply you will need.

If the power supply is lacking in power then your weld will not penetrate properly

[minidaves]

Ok a few questions

proper argon sheild from boc or the stuff from halfords?
what welder do you have?
extention lead how long is it and how old?

then i need to know wire feed gas flow, etc

dave

[mk=john]

Ok a few questions

proper argon sheild from boc or the stuff from halfords?
what welder do you have?
extention lead how long is it and how old?

then i need to know wire feed gas flow, etc

dave

Hi
Well, the reason I have bumped up the power is to weld thicker metal. I have not had this problem before however using this MIG welder from the same supply. it seems to have started just recently.

• Answers to the questns are:
• BOC Argoshield Light (I changed to this recently from Co2, but cant be sure this is the problem)
• Clarke 135TE
• No Extension lead is being used
• Wire feed set to 6.5, I can' remember the flow rate, but just enough to hear is start hissing from the nozzle.

Edited by mk=john, 06 July 2009 - 08:40 AM.

[rosco454]

As a starting point for your gas work at about 10lpm and see what adjustment you can get away with from there.

It sounds like your wire speed might be too slow,is the wire burning back to the tip or is it not that severe?

How thick is the metal you are trying to weld and what kind of joint are you doing?Is the welder at the maximum power setting?

Regards,Ross.

Edited by rosco454, 06 July 2009 - 03:40 PM.

[Pitcrew6464]

sounds like you need to increase the wire speed, let off the small adjuster wheel on that model me thinks

[mk=john]

sounds like you need to increase the wire speed, let off the small adjuster wheel on that model me thinks

Hi
I think I have solved the problem. It seems to be that BOC `Argoshield light' is wrong for thicker metals. it is ideal for thin metal like car bodywork. Anyway, I switched back to Co2 for this bit of welding, and the nice crackle sound is back!!

`Argoshield medium' I think needs to be used for thicker metals, and `Argoshield heavy' on the really thick stuff. As this job was a one off, I just made do with using Co2. Its amazing that the gas was having an effect on this.

Edited by mk=john, 06 July 2009 - 08:42 PM.

[Give it a bash]

sounds like you need to increase the wire speed, let off the small adjuster wheel on that model me thinks

Hi
I think I have solved the problem. It seems to be that BOC `Argoshield light' is wrong for thicker metals. it is ideal for thin metal like car bodywork. Anyway, I switched back to Co2 for this bit of welding, and the nice crackle sound is back!!

`Argoshield medium' I think needs to be used for thicker metals, and `Argoshield heavy' on the really thick stuff. As this job was a one off, I just made do with using Co2. Its amazing that the gas was having an effect on this.

I've just done the same thing with switching to argon light. Found it gave a beautiful clean weld once i'd sorted out the problems. I found that i had to weld quicker to (move the gun quicker) to achieve a good sound though. Still can't weld overhead though. Any tips on how that's done is greatly appreciated.

[HARBER07]

I had something VERY similar to this on my 110TE. I think the TE are the models which can be changed over for gasless and gas welding? In which case try swapping the polarity over inside the welder. I might be talking carp as its late though

[R1mini]

I use cougar5 which is Air Products version of Argoshield light, I'm not sure what you mean by thicker metal but I weld up to 12mm with mine and don't have any problems at all.

For welding upside down I just turn the wire speed up a touch, works really well

Cheers
David

[Ethel]

As you found out, it is the gas, CO2 gives a hotter weld. The crackle is produced by the wire arcing back as it melts and is an indicator that the weld is good.

[rosco454]

Gas has a massive effect on the weld.

Argoshield light is for 4mm and under.
Argoshield universal 4mm-10mm.
Argoshield heavy 10mm upwards.

These are what BOC recommend but you can go thicker,as long as you can manage to get good penetration.