7 replies to this topic

[nordicmini]

Hi all just a chat about welding. How do you all weld from left to right ,from top to bottom,into the weld or work away from it,

just like to know if it makes any diffrents

Alan

[Ethel]

You should push, so the wire is following the weld pool (and the gas shield), though if you are fillet welding you'll need to go the other way as the fillet fills its channel. Often, direction is dictated by the work, but if it's a vertical join working from top to bottom means the join isn't contaminated by rising fumes.

[Shifty]

You should push, so the wire is following the weld pool (and the gas shield), though if you are fillet welding you'll need to go the other way as the fillet fills its channel. Often, direction is dictated by the work, but if it's a vertical join working from top to bottom means the join isn't contaminated by rising fumes.

Have to disagree here, if you're welding up a big frame and want a really strong weld then you'd use "Christmas tree" welding ie weld upward in the shape of an xmas tree.

http://www.esabna.co.../592mig7_19.htm

This is one the strongest welded joints you can make.

Its not really much use on a mini, as a novice you may find if you have to weld upwards that starting from the bottom is easier as the weld builds a "bridge" accross the gap and allows you to build up on it.

Don't get carried away and try and do long runs of weld, it looks good on American hod rods/chopper but will usually make a mess of you mini. Long welds put a lot of heat into a panel and distort it.

For rusty metal "pulse" welding is the way forward, its basicaly a series of oversized tacks to make a joint. Weld and then pause to let cool down. This also allows you to turn the power up a little.

The best thing is to just practice....practice and practise.

[Ethel]

You're definitely a better welder than me Shifty so I'll take on board what you say. Isn't there a risk that you'll leave cavities welding over the top of a fillet though?

I think we might have slightly different things in mind. I wasn't thinking of weld patterns - or, to be fair, gravity: which will matter if you're doing long runs in one go. I still say if you're filling in a row of plugs or doing something else Rusty Mini related top to bottom fits the bill.

[Bungle]

click me

[minipower78]

if your stuck need advice i weld for a living send me a pm

[R1mini]

As has been said push the torch, but you can pull if you want. Top to bottom is fine on thin stuff, bottom to top is usually used for heavier plates and the weaving part isn't necessary on such thing stuff as found on a mini

Cheers
David

[1984mini25]

For rusty metal "pulse" welding is the way forward, its basicaly a series of oversized tacks to make a joint. Weld and then pause to let cool down. This also allows you to turn the power up a little.

That’s the way I’ve always welded for years now, don’t get much distortion (if any) and least likely to blow any holes.