17 replies to this topic

[xu1kid]

its hard to see but if its taking some wieght id be putting another weld along the vertical plate and the weld you have already done,

[TerrA LX]

So does that blue line mean its got good penetration and is that how you tell if the weld is good? and you can see the line on the right the blue line stops before the end... does that mean that one doesnt have good penetration at the end?

Cheers guys.

Penetration means you can see the weld come thru the other side, the blue mark are only burn marks.

Also in the first pic you can see at the end of the weld on the left the shape of the weld sort of changed to be more flatter... it seemed to do this every time. any idea what causes this? (ya will probly have to wait till I get a better quality pic to see what I mean.


Cheers guys.

This is caused from less feed of the weld wire, causing the heat to rise, the weld pool is burning in further.

FWIW the welds look good but may not quite pass a test at TAFE for example due to the lack of penetration.

[TerrA LX]

FWIW the welds look good but may not quite pass a test at TAFE for example due to the lack of penetration.

I take that back, on closer inspection the weld appears to be sitting up, especially on the bracket you have welded onto the ring, this will lead to cracking or break away if it is loaded. Sorry.
Either not hot enough or really needs to be TIG welded based on not being able to eyeball it myself.

Either leave a gap for the weld to flow of chamfer the end to get the heat into the join.

[TerrA LX]

There is a technique that involves three welds for this application, research it, but roughly explained you have to lay one weld down in the middle first then two on top, one on the band and one on the bracket, both covering each side of the first weld. Then possible a forth on top of these two again.
Sounds overkill but thats engineering for ya.

If you grind into the present weld, concentrating on the band you should get the penetration needed.
Use a test piece.
Albeit, how it is presently may last forever, you seem to be capable enough.
You should weld it correctly for piece of mind in this application.

Edited by TerrA LX, 15 June 2010 - 11:38 PM.

[ls2lxhatch]

I doubt the welds will ever be under enough stress to fail. It looks like the mounting bolts will take the bulk of the load.

Have you welded both sides of the plate to the ring?

[TerrA LX]

I doubt the welds will ever be under enough stress to fail. It looks like the mounting bolts will take the bulk of the load.

Agree with Ls2.
The weld taking the most load will be next to the bolts.

Edited by TerrA LX, 16 June 2010 - 01:13 AM.

[wot179]

You could try backing the wire off just a scratch and moving a little quicker.

Just a little of both.

[enderwigginau]

I think everyone will agree, your unit should be quite capable enough with a tiny increase in technique, which you seem happy to take on board.

It is surprising what you can actually do with a home welder.

I have a hand me down from my brother - an old US unit that pumps bloody awesome running on 240V, hehehe cheaper just to "convert" them from 110V by changing plugs. Puts many other "lower" power units to shame.

If you can afford a gas-set to upgrade your own unit, do it as it will make it much easier to do even simple welding.

Grant..