Welding for beginner

[saxo_man]

I’m looking to weld two pieces of metal together, both heavy 6mm steel plate, for a telescope project. I have a mighty mig 150 but haven’t used it, it’s just been sitting quietly in the corner of the garage for several years. There are switches with 1 and 2 and min and max as well as wire feed speed dial. I also have a welding mask and leather gloves

I cleaned up a bit of steel plate and run the nozzle across it at various settings and tried welding a nut to it. I’ve beat the nut with a hammer from all angles and it hasn’t moved so I must be doing something right!

Anyone pointers please before I tackle the actual job - welding two pieces at right angles.

 

[billyboker]

Its all to do with the right settings for the rod type. Loads loads of practise first its about small circles moving backwards. Tack welds at points.

 

[carmad.]

6mm plate ? turn it up to max and melt it together

 

[saxo_man]

6mm plate ? turn it up to max and melt it together

Well I figured I couldn’t blow a hole in it too easily

 

[Apis]

I don't see any gas cylinder on the welder?

 

[saxo_man]

I don't see any gas cylinder on the welder?

I don’t have one. I’m using flux core wire. That should still work?

 

[thefool1983]

6mm plate ? turn it up to max and melt it together

This!!

 

[Coog]

I don’t have one. I’m using flux core wire. That should still work?

Works fine on the bigger stuff, I've been using it years. Few good vids on youtube worth looking at before having a go.

 

[Blackie]

Yea just practice with small bits first until you get used to the settings. Tack the plates together and then as above, small circles pulling the “pool” along the area you’re wanting to weld together.

 

[saxo_man]

Works fine on the bigger stuff, I've been using it years. Few good vids on youtube worth looking at before having a go.

Never been one for watching YouTube videos but tbh it was very helpful. Run out of wire but getting better results now.

 

[dingle]

There's a mig welding forum which will have exhaustive threads on all your questions especially if you don't want to watch you tube.
Also if you want hands on tuition, there's a hobby course in Ballymena tech

 

[saxo_man]

There's a mig welding forum which will have exhaustive threads on all your questions especially if you don't want to watch you tube.
Also if you want hands on tuition, there's a hobby course in Ballymena tech

Thanks, but Youtube has worked well
A bit of practice at home will be sufficient for my purposes.

 

[saxo_man]

I gave it a go there now, have no idea if it’s deep or not, does it look adequate?

 

[Antoin]

With that thickness of tube a good bevel on the join would have allowed you a bit more penetration. It would have allowed you to run a couple of passes around it.

 

[saxo_man]

With that thickness of tube a good bevel on the join would have allowed you a bit more penetration. It would have allowed you to run a couple of passes around it.

Definitely missed out on doing a bevel. Good to learn these things. Will it hold ok as it is?

 

[lennyd]

What sort of weight is it holding? It's a stand for a telescope isn't it?

 

[Apis]

You could fill it with concrete to add rigidity and reduce any vibration. Done it with pillar drill stands and it can make a noticable difference on a cheap/chinese drill.
Lead shot is even better apparently.

 

[StephenMcC]

If i can get results as nice as that with my trailer, i'll be happy lol

 

[saxo_man]

What sort of weight is it holding? It's a stand for a telescope isn't it?

There will be about 37kg, COG over the pipe itself, so loading typically vertically downwards on it.

You could fill it with concrete to add rigidity and reduce any vibration. Done it with pillar drill stands and it can make a noticable difference on a cheap/chinese drill.
Lead shot is even better apparently.

I might fill it with concrete in case the weld fails and then it wont fall off!
I have a cheap chinese pillar drill and it vibrates a lot - great tip cheers!

 

[lennyd]

Should be alright can't see it getting much abuse anyway

 

[Antoin]

Definitely missed out on doing a bevel. Good to learn these things. Will it hold ok as it is?

Can't see you having too much bother if it's only 37kg.