Help me improve on my Welding

sam24th

sam24th

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 31, 2010
Location
Charlotte, NC
Was looking through the killer weldz thread and decided to make my own posting. So I am pretty interested in welding and want to improve on my skills. Currently Im just using a hobart 140 handler setup on .030 fluxcore. Not the greatest thing ever, but it gets me started with the limited budget I have as a student right now. Figured I'd post up some pics of the welds Ive done recently and maybe some of the veterans can give me a bit of advice as to where I could improve on and possibly tips.

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Dang, those actually aren't that bad! Especially for flux core. Just looks like the speed and width/steadiness needs a little work, but overall, they look solid.

You've already wire brushed them, but I think I can see some bluing around the welds, so there's probably good penetration. Doesn't look like much undercut, so they weren't too hot.
 
Yes they do look decent! WHEN, my welder was working, I think mine looked lower, & smaller circles. Now All I can do is stick the wire to the tip. Can fluxcore draw moisture, in a dry basement? My spool is a couple years old.
 
Thanks for the kind words guys. I plan on picking up a tank of gas this summer welding with shielding gas. Now I've never personally welded anything using shielding gas. I am a bit confused as to what mix of gas I should be getting. I know there are different mixtures of argon gas. What sorta setup would you recommend a beginner for shielding gas?
 
You can run 75/25 argon/co2 and if you have just basic gauges run your flow pressure around 8 to 10 psi unless your welding in windy area then run about 15 psi otherwise ur just waisting gas. If you want to get more precise get a gas flow meter that measures cubic feet per hour but that may be a bit advanced for u im not sure. But the gauges would be fine if thats what u have. Welds look good keep practicing!!!
 
I'll throw out a technique you could try with that unit. Maybe it would help with the looks of your beads. Try slowing down the wire feed, with out changing heat setting. In my experience with fluxcore, you have to look close and basically have X-ray vision to see the puddle moving around. Fluxcore is a different animal, and you'll have a hard time getting extremely good welds from it. What you've shown is pretty good.
 
When I use my flux welder I have the wire speed set very slow and that helps me get the best welds possible. Just fyi
 
Thanks guys! I will try dialing back on the speed a bit and practice some more. Should be doing a bit of welding this weekend. I'll post up some results.
 
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