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DerrickfromNC1 Samba Member
Joined: October 24, 2008 Posts: 1295 Location: North Carolina
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Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2020 1:45 pm Post subject: I can’t weld worth %#&@! |
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Was practicing with my Eastwood 110 welder on some scrap metal in preparation for fabing a set of 1” drop bumper brackets and my welds do not appear to penetrate the base metal. I have had this welder for a while but have only used it a couple times. Was hoping I could do this w/o turning to a professional. By these pixs can someone tell me what I’m doing wrong or maybe my welder is not up to the task.
Last thing I need is for my welds to fail and my front bumper fall off at 60mph.
Thanks |
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Evil_Fiz Samba Member
Joined: May 06, 2011 Posts: 1032 Location: Jacksonville, FL
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Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2020 5:04 pm Post subject: Re: I can’t weld worth %#&@! |
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I can't offer any help on your welding because I am a pretty bad welder myself. I can however tell you that the Esatwood MIG 135 (110 VAC welder) is more than capable of welding 1/8" wall tubing and 3/16" flat stock. I built my rotisserie with it and it has been holding up my convertible Ghia for almost two years. I used flux core for the rotisserie but I can't see why MIG would not work equally well.
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Emil _________________ “…It's not just about what's interesting. It's also about what's helpful, and it's helpful even if it helps just one other guy working on a Ghia.”
kiwighia68
See my build on TheSamba at:
The K_R_A_K_E_N_N : a 70 Ghia Convertible reinterpreted |
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beetlenut Samba Member
Joined: May 27, 2009 Posts: 2980 Location: RI
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Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2020 8:20 pm Post subject: Re: I can’t weld worth %#&@! |
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What kind of gas are you running, and do you have the pressure turned up enough? You shouldn't be seeing those kind of burning marks. _________________ scrapyards are for quitters
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Wetstuff wrote: |
... I spend more time shaking it than directing it?! I get a pretty decent blast for 8sec. then have to shake it again. |
- Words to live by right there!
My 74 Super rebuild thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6507104#6507104 |
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halfassleatherworks Samba Member
Joined: December 09, 2018 Posts: 636 Location: Reno NV
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Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2020 8:52 pm Post subject: Re: I can’t weld worth %#&@! |
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are you using gas or flux core wire? check the polarity of the torch. adjust the wire speed to the sound of bacon frying. looking at the settings I would turn them both down to 50% and go from there. you are also welding on coated metal. not good. _________________ Halfass Leatherworks*****GOT LEATHER Made to order Leather crafts, you can find us on that face book thing
Belts, wallets, mouse pads, drink coasters, Engraving, most things made in leather.
personal items if you want it in leather in Reno Nv, ***** |
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DerrickfromNC1 Samba Member
Joined: October 24, 2008 Posts: 1295 Location: North Carolina
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Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2020 9:07 pm Post subject: Re: I can’t weld worth %#&@! |
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Using 0.023" Steel MIG Wire without gas. I think that coated metal may be an issue since my practice attempts on raw flat iron strips resulted in ugly but solid welds. I have the settings maxed out. On my successful attempts my weld puddles seem to be too large. |
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VW_Jimbo Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2016 Posts: 9882 Location: Huntington Beach, CA
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Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2020 10:44 pm Post subject: Re: I can’t weld worth %#&@! |
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Those metal pieces look like galvanized steel braces. DO NOT WELD GALVANIZED METAL, unless you take precautions. Deadly!
Get some cold rolled steel and try again. Clean anything you weld, shiny clean, freshly exposed steel. Use am Argon mix gas, or flux core.
And MAKE SURE THE GROUND CLAMP IS ATTACHED TO GOOD CLEAN STEEL, CLOSE TO THE WELDING. well, as close as possible. _________________ Jimbo
There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!
TDCTDI wrote: |
Basically, a whole bunch of fuckery to achieve a look. |
67rustavenger wrote: |
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo! |
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67ctbug Samba Member
Joined: January 24, 2016 Posts: 3619 Location: CT
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Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2020 10:51 pm Post subject: Re: I can’t weld worth %#&@! |
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DerrickfromNC1 wrote: |
Using 0.023" Steel MIG Wire without gas. I think that coated metal may be an issue since my practice attempts on raw flat iron strips resulted in ugly but solid welds. I have the settings maxed out. On my successful attempts my weld puddles seem to be too large. |
That is your issue. You CANNOT use MIG wire without a shielding gas. Flux core yes, but not MIG. _________________ '67 Beetle L41
'74 Westfalia
'69 Plymouth "Adam-12"
'63 Ragtop
'73 914
'73 Dodge W200
'72 Dodge Wrecker
Go Cubs!
World Series Champions 2016
KentPS wrote: |
...or the PO envied the terrorists' bus in "Back to the Future". |
mukluk wrote: |
He's fine, just waiting for the dragon in winklepickers to move out of his lane. |
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Chickensoup Samba Member
Joined: January 06, 2018 Posts: 5368 Location: Good Hope, GA
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Posted: Fri Dec 11, 2020 6:15 am Post subject: Re: I can’t weld worth %#&@! |
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welding over chrome is a big no no too btw. _________________ -'85 c10 5.3 LS, 222 cam, long tubes, x pipe, 3 inch spin tech's
-'05 B5.5 TDI Wagon 17in sport rims ;EGR + BSM + ASV Delete, Stage-2 Tune, straight pipe
'65 Tourist Delivery Build
'66 RIP
'69 RIP
Hosea 4:6 "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge" |
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DerrickfromNC1 Samba Member
Joined: October 24, 2008 Posts: 1295 Location: North Carolina
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Posted: Fri Dec 11, 2020 8:00 am Post subject: Re: I can’t weld worth %#&@! |
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67ctbug wrote: |
DerrickfromNC1 wrote: |
Using 0.023" Steel MIG Wire without gas. I think that coated metal may be an issue since my practice attempts on raw flat iron strips resulted in ugly but solid welds. I have the settings maxed out. On my successful attempts my weld puddles seem to be too large. |
That is your issue. You CANNOT use MIG wire without a shielding gas. Flux core yes, but not MIG. |
The Eastwood Mig135 came with a spool of .023 mig wire so I assumed I was ready to go....I should have looked at some tutorials b4 I started practicing. Will be going to Lowes to pu some Lincoln Electric 1-lb 0.035 flux this afternoon.
Based on the suggested settings that came with the welder for flux core it indicates that I should turn the wirefeed to a setting of 3 on a scale of (1-10) and drop arc volts to almost 1/2 power.
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Lingwendil Samba Member
Joined: February 25, 2009 Posts: 3987 Location: Antioch, California, a block from the hood
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type241 Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2006 Posts: 971 Location: MOSES LAKE, WA
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Posted: Fri Dec 11, 2020 8:04 am Post subject: Re: I can’t weld worth %#&@! |
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Make sure your ground is hooked up correctly at the welder. The ground is connected differently for FLUX CORE vs MIG on my Lincoln welder. |
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Chickensoup Samba Member
Joined: January 06, 2018 Posts: 5368 Location: Good Hope, GA
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Posted: Fri Dec 11, 2020 8:23 am Post subject: Re: I can’t weld worth %#&@! |
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dont fergit amp levels. many people(including I), start off with not enough and end up loosing control of the bead/flow. _________________ -'85 c10 5.3 LS, 222 cam, long tubes, x pipe, 3 inch spin tech's
-'05 B5.5 TDI Wagon 17in sport rims ;EGR + BSM + ASV Delete, Stage-2 Tune, straight pipe
'65 Tourist Delivery Build
'66 RIP
'69 RIP
Hosea 4:6 "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge" |
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DerrickfromNC1 Samba Member
Joined: October 24, 2008 Posts: 1295 Location: North Carolina
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Posted: Fri Dec 11, 2020 8:46 am Post subject: Re: I can’t weld worth %#&@! |
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type241 wrote: |
Make sure your ground is hooked up correctly at the welder. The ground is connected differently for FLUX CORE vs MIG on my Lincoln welder. |
WOW....just checked the instruction diagram inside the panel door on the welder. The ground cable(polarity) was connected for flux while I was attempting to weld with mig wire.
Should it have worked at all??
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type241 Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2006 Posts: 971 Location: MOSES LAKE, WA
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Posted: Fri Dec 11, 2020 9:53 am Post subject: Re: I can’t weld worth %#&@! |
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MIG(Metal Inert Gas) wire needs a gas bottle hooked up. If no gas bottle, you have to run flux core wire. Your welder ground needs to correspond. |
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infiniteLoop Samba Member
Joined: October 09, 2020 Posts: 265 Location: Empire State
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Posted: Fri Dec 11, 2020 11:50 am Post subject: Re: I can’t weld worth %#&@! |
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Clean down to bare metal some how. Grinder with the knotted brushes works well and Harbor Freight ones are just as good as the ones that cost 4X more.
That or use a thin cutting disc(finer stones) in a grinder and work it on the flat part near the edge.Or use a regular grinding disc. A 3" cut off tool would work good too. I'm assuming the pieces shown are for practice but your welding on the edge for some reason. If that is not practice ,your missing the base metal completely. It's easier to get into the V if you tilt the work so the bottom of the V is at the bottom.
On the 'L' , your voltage is too low and your not moving the puddle fast enough so turn up the voltage and start moving faster.
Welding has a least 4 parts.
Metal prep
Fit up
Set up (adjusting voltage/wire speed)
and the actual welding.
Set up the welders voltage and wire speed.
To get a general idea, use the chart in your manual ,the cabinet sticker or a chart of a similar amp welder on the web. FIRST set the voltage to a setting that will get you decent penetration. Then adjust the wire speed so it doesn't melt off in globs OR stub into the work piece.
Practice by making a puddle. The pool should be established within 4 seconds or less. After the pool is established ,move the pool at a travel speed that keeps the wire in the first third of the pool if dragging the nozzle and not pushing it. |
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jspbtown Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2004 Posts: 5152
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Posted: Fri Dec 11, 2020 2:39 pm Post subject: Re: I can’t weld worth %#&@! |
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I personally have been far more successful with the .030 wire as compared to the .035.
Then again I am a hack with an old Campbell Hausfield welder that I bought 20 years ago and still weld with today |
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orwell84 Samba Member
Joined: May 14, 2007 Posts: 2528 Location: Plattsburgh, New York
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Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2020 7:58 am Post subject: Re: I can’t weld worth %#&@! |
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You would be much better off with gas especially for thin metals. For thicker metals flux core is fine but gas produces nicer welds.
I found YouTube videos to be really helpful. Practice on scrap and experiment with different settings. Before I start welding on a project, I always dial in my welder on some scrap. A lot of beginners make the mistake of welding too cold (on too low a setting) assuming sheet metal needs the lowest setting. This results in big globs on top of the work with poor penetration. My welder uses a tap switch A-E. I almost never use the A setting. I use B for butt welding sheet metal and C when plug welding one layer of sheet metal over the other just to give you an idea. Wire speed is also important.
You’ll get it. Practice and don’t give up. |
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beetlenut Samba Member
Joined: May 27, 2009 Posts: 2980 Location: RI
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Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2020 9:49 am Post subject: Re: I can’t weld worth %#&@! |
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The .023 wire is what you want to weld the thin body panels on the VWs. You should just get the bottle set up and add it to your welder, you'll get much much better results than from the flux core, and no removing the leftover slag you get from the flux core either. Once you get the pressure right, a bottle will last you awhile. _________________ scrapyards are for quitters
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Wetstuff wrote: |
... I spend more time shaking it than directing it?! I get a pretty decent blast for 8sec. then have to shake it again. |
- Words to live by right there!
My 74 Super rebuild thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6507104#6507104 |
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Evil_Fiz Samba Member
Joined: May 06, 2011 Posts: 1032 Location: Jacksonville, FL
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Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2020 10:48 am Post subject: Re: I can’t weld worth %#&@! |
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beetlenut wrote: |
...Once you get the pressure right, a bottle will last you a while. |
This is only partially true with the Eastwood MIG 135. The problem is that this welder does not have the ability to disable post-flow of the gas. This translates to about .5 Sec. per tack weld and about .75 - 1 Sec. of gas flow after you let go of the trigger. You end up wasting more gas than what you actually use for the welds.
It may be possible to circumvent this issue by replacing the gas solenoid but I have not reached a conclusive answer yet. If you are going to use gas with the MIG 135, buy the biggest gas bottle your budget will allow. This will result in fewer trips to the welding store and a lower cost per unit of shielding gas. MIG and .023 wire are the way to go but it is possible to weld sheet metal with .035 Flus core wire.
I find the ideal Flux Core setting for sheet metal on the MIG 135 to be:
wire Speed = 2
Voltage = B.5 - C (closer to C in most cases)
stickout = 1/2 in. - 9/16 in.
Lincoln flux core wire is brittle. Avoid it. I have been using .035 Flux wire from Harbor Freight with good results.
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Emil _________________ “…It's not just about what's interesting. It's also about what's helpful, and it's helpful even if it helps just one other guy working on a Ghia.”
kiwighia68
See my build on TheSamba at:
The K_R_A_K_E_N_N : a 70 Ghia Convertible reinterpreted |
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modok Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2009 Posts: 26744 Location: Colorado Springs
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Posted: Fri Dec 18, 2020 5:35 pm Post subject: Re: I can’t weld worth %#&@! |
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The eastwood is a gas hog, but I don't care because use co2
Save the argon for mix more critical applications. |
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