help with welding

[skimf]

hello,

i have recently started welding. i have a 90 amp mig which i originally intended to use to make a go kart but have since been given a sip 140 amp arc (stick) set which i have been practicing with.
I think the pictures of my arc welds have attatched :-/ not sure though!
Based on the pictures, what could i improve on and how are the welds looking overall?
I was going to mig weld the go kart but i actually think i prefer arc welding (at least on flat metal, vertical welds were another thing altogether...)

I'm pretty sure the electrodes were 6013 and they are definetly 3.2mm.

Thank you for your help

 

[MrC.]

Judging welding over the internet is pretty hard.
it looks like you have good heat by the discoloration around the weld itself.
your line look smooth and continuous also good. Welding on top of flat metal the weld is going to stand up tall so its hard to tell how good of penetration you have. Look on the backside of your practice piece and see if it is also discolored. If so good job.
now do a butt weld take two flat piece and grind a 45 on each side place the two sides beside one another and clamp them down forming a v where the pieces meet. Now weld the two piece together filling the v after it cool flip it over and look at the discoloration it should be even and consistent .
for good measure put it in a vise clamping only one side now wack it with the biggest hammer you have. If it stays together you have a good understanding of welding. If not start over.
when you have two same thickness of pieces spend the same amount of time during you welding pass on each side. If you weld thin to thick metal spend less time on the thin and longer on the thick.
I like to draw a series of ccccccccccc for my pattern some people like a stich pattern going from side to side like this wwwwwwwwwwwww what ever you choose dont weld over a previous weld unless you have knocked the slab off.
I also like a 7018 rod again the size and make up of the rod is based on what your are welding.

Yours looks good.
Theres two things in life were good penetration is important and welding is one of them.
MrC

 

[Jfive]

With thin metal, you shouldn't have to do a bevel. I'd gap the butt joint slightly. Just tack the ends with a smaller gap on the end you'll stop at. When you start the weld is colder so a bigger gap at the beginning is better. Id try 7018 too. Its similar to 6013 but the puddle doesn't harden as fast.

I'm guessing the welder is a DC inverter. They are relatively cheap anymore and work great. Welding tips and tricks.com on YouTube is really good for info. I arc weld all the time now, and prefer it when I'm able to use it. I mainly use 7018 and grind metal for a clean start. Sometimes use 6011 or 6010 for a deep root on thicker metal.

There are stainless rods that work really well to. 308l and 309l are good for welding low 300series stainless or 304 stainless to mild. There are three types of welding rod that you will really need to use.

Fast fill, fast freeze, and fill freeze. 6010/6011 is a fast freeze. 6013/7014 is a fill freeze. 7024 is a fast fill. And then 7018 is considered a low hydrogen rod, doesn't like moisture. But it acts like a fast fill.

---------- Post added at 09:21 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:15 PM ----------

So 6013 works like a drag rod, but it freezes as soon as you move the rod. If you drag it slowly then move it, the puddle turns solid instantly. 6010 is a freeze rod where it doesn't fill as much but it freezes as soon as you move the rod. Techniques a whip and pause for welding with it. Keep practicing and try some of the different joints.

 

[skimf]

hi,
thank you for both these posts!
I will get some 7018 electrodes, which brands are good? i dont want to end up with really nasty cheap ones.
thanks again

 

[Jfive]

Lincoln or Hobart. I've had good luck with firepower too though. Lincoln rods are pretty well known to be the best though. Just keep em dry and warm.