Welding Tips and Tricks

I have a MIG cert test this Wednesday so I've been running plates for practice for the past week.

(hardwire root, flux-cored hot/fill/cover.

3G downhill root pass and 4G root pass. I apologize for the quality of the pictures. My cell phone camera is actually a potato.

I got good penetration on the downhill root pass as well as the 4G root pass.



And the finished product.

3G - Hot pass, covering/cap pass

4G - Hot pass, 3 stringers/cap pass



I am quite satisfied with the outcome as most of the plates I ran today looked similar.

Currently using the Miller XMT304 CC/CV, Miller 22A 24v wire feeder.

I appreciate any and all feedback, suggestions, jokes, etc.

Easy10Pins,

You know you won't win a beauty contest with those welds, but I think they're a "pass".

They look solid in every way to me. I see nothing wrong with the root, and the cap, while not 100% consistent, shows no undercut or underfill that I can see.

Steve S

Steve,

Thanks for the reply. My weld definitely won't win Ms. Weld Universe but I'm confident they will hold up during the bend test.

I'm just happy for the knowledge and experience I gained this far and understanding how to read the weld puddle and how it flows in each position and process.

I'm sure with time, patience and most importantly, experience my welds will be Weldporn worthy.

Rodney

I am most interested in the fill and penetration that I can see in the back side of the plates. Looks like you did a great job! Your covers need work, which you do understand; maybe manipulate a bit wider on the one weave you did (I think that was the 3G?), move a lot more quickly through the middle (which will eliminate the buildup) and hold the toes of the weld. But you are really on a good road, and if you pass the test, then you pass the test, and who cares beyond that?

Good work!
Gary

Unfortunately, my very first piece failed.

Since I decided to do a downhill root instead of uphill (3G), I did not get enough penetration and this was the result....
(I apologize for the potatocam pic. I really should use a standard digital camera)





So I spent all day Wed. and Thurs. running 3G root passes uphill and I believe I have it dialed in, (without whiskers and blowing the keyhole).

I also practiced my covering passes and got the 3G pass more flat (eliminated the build up) by moving faster over the middle.

I'll have more pictures next week. Perhaps for each phase of the next certification test. The pictures also help me explain to the wife exactly what I am doing in class.

Have a great weekend.

It was a very productive week regardless. I'm kinda glad I didn't pass the first try because at the least it gives me an idea of how and why welds can fail.

Correct! Faster over the middle, and hold the toes of the weld! Wait for that puddle to completely fill out before moving ahead! This will give you the penetration you need and completely fill in the sides!

There are a couple of 'tricks' for learning that open root, but it seems like you have, or are close to mastering the joint. If you are still having problems with the coupon braking, turn up your voltage a bit.

Easy10pins wrote:...It was a very productive week regardless. I'm kinda glad I didn't pass the first try because at the least it gives me an idea of how and why welds can fail.

That's a great attitude to have. Whether we admit it or not, we learn more from our fails. The student who aces everything does not learn anywhere near as much as the one that takes two goes at every test. The study that goes in to fixing the problem will always make you better.

In the "real" world, you will occasionally fail tests, and anyone who says he hasn't is either very new or a liar. It helps your ego to experience it at the start, rather than after you've convinced yourself your arm is golden...

Steve S

I can't really have a bad attitude about any of this. Even on hot and humid days in the shop where sweat is pooling in my boots and I get a rash on my butt, It's all good. LOL

Otto Nobedder wrote:

Easy10pins wrote:...It was a very productive week regardless. I'm kinda glad I didn't pass the first try because at the least it gives me an idea of how and why welds can fail.

That's a great attitude to have. Whether we admit it or not, we learn more from our fails. The student who aces everything does not learn anywhere near as much as the one that takes two goes at every test. The study that goes in to fixing the problem will always make you better.

In the "real" world, you will occasionally fail tests, and anyone who says he hasn't is either very new or a liar. It helps your ego to experience it at the start, rather than after you've convinced yourself your arm is golden...

Steve S

3G. GMAW certified. All positions.

Easy10pins wrote:3G. GMAW certified. All positions.

Well done!

Congratulations!

Steve S

Good for you. Practice does make perfect.
Trev

Uphill for the win.