I would make sure you are using .023 diameter wire, not .030 as is commonly
available. You will also need the smaller tips. The gas pressure is needed
to provide a good shield and I usually use about 20-25 pounds. I would
check the tension on the wire rollers as they can slip and cause some really
gnarly looking welds. Another trick is to do just a few seconds and then
off for about 2 seconds and then on for a few seconds. This will reduce the
number of blowouts. Also experiment with the angle of the gun. If you hold
the gun at 90 degrees to the weld, all of the heat goes into the weld so
change the angle.
I still get blowouts. Damn good thing I own a hand grinder.
I would not use a #8 lens. The brightness will actually reduce the vision
of the weld. I use a #9 when I am using low amperages.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Tom Witt" <wittsend@jps.net>
To: <tigers@autox.team.net>
Sent: Friday, December 28, 2001 10:03 PM
Subject: Welding Advice Needed
> 25+ years ago I was competent (though no expert) in arc and gas welding in
> High School. When I got my Tiger I purchased a Lincoln MIG PAK 100 (88 amp
> rating) to replace rusted panels. At times I can get a really good bead
> going for a few inches then !@#$%^&*. I most often am blowing holes in the
> 22-24 guage metal used in the Tiger's wheel wells (and elsewhere). I have
> had no problems with the thicker metal such as the inner rocker panels.
All
> my welds have been lap welds and I have tried to keep the puddle closest
to
> where the metals lap (thus double thickness).
> Here are the perticulars: I am using the lowest "A" setting, Argon
75%-Co2
> 25% gas (more on the gas pressure later) and have adjusted the wire feed
> both above and below the recommended setting. I try to keep the weld going
> at an appropriate rate, but it seems like the slightest bobble, or change
in
> the metal and ZAP!..., a hole in the metal. Then attempts to "fill" it in
> create blobs, unsightly welds and often just extends and enlages the hole.
> Thus, I attempt to grind most of the weld down and go over it again. This
> only perpetuates the problem as the surface is more irregular than before
> and it goes on and on (I'm stubborn). In the end I have a weld I have gone
> over 5-6 times, is a 1/2" wide, and even with extensive grinding still
looks
> rather crappy. Today I welded about a foot and a half (yea,that's 18
inches)
> and it took about 8 hr's (weld/grind etc.) to get it looking as bad as it
> does. It really kills me because at times I'll get say 3 inches (in a
single
> pass) that look great. I clean all the metal, the wire is not jamming and
> the gas is on. Any tips??? I have tried copper behind the weld (in the few
> cases where I can actually reach to get it there).
> This brings me to the gas. I have used Argon/Co2 feeling I can use all the
> help I can get. A professional welder friend (he welds Aircraft
Maintenence
> for Fed-Ex) says 4-6 pounds is all I need. The guy at the gas store says
> 15-20 pounds (but then he's selling the gas). I have been going with about
> 10 pounds, but am really eating the gas. What with all the weld/grinding
> etc. I'm getting maybe 3 linear feet of crappy finished product out of a
20
> pound bottle. Since I have had this welder I have used 5 pounds of wire
and
> 60 pounds of gas. Here in Calif it's just about $22 a bottle with all the
> haz-mat stuff etc.
> Should I forgo the Argon (and its cost)? How much pressure should I use?
> Finally, I often find it difficult to see with the mask on. I have gone
from
> a # -10 to a # -9 lens. Would I damage my eyes to go to an # - 8?
> Thanks for any help that might come. But please, spare yourself with long
> talks about metalurgy and the like. I am after setting and technique
> information. Thanks, Tom Witt B9470101
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