Remember a short time ago when TB was trying welding and some unkind comments about quality were passed ?. Well.......

The flexible section went on my exhaust so I got a replacement from fleabay. It was the wrong size, but after some gentle machining it fitted. Now to weld it in . I had been to night classes, passed all exams so this should be easy.  :y :y :y 

My MIG had been sitting in the garage for about 6 years, a Clarke 120E, with a new reel of wire (when bought). So I pulled it out, clamped on and fired up.

The results were less than encouraging :-/

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t155/lapbits/PICT4367.jpg

But I am supposed to know about all this welding stuff, I have been on courses etc.  :'( :'( :'(

My son came out to assist, so we took the welder to bits, cleaned rollers, liner, torch, torch liner everything, and the results were worse than before  :'( :'( :'(

The wire feed was stopping and starting, coming out 1" then stopping, then another 1" etc. Then I investigated the wire reel. About 3/4 was fine, nice and shiny, but the last 1/4 was horrible, lots of surface rust etc. I ended cutting off about 3 layers of wire to get to a good clean stock and retried, and

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t155/lapbits/PICT4372.jpg

Considerably better  :y OK, not perfect, but I haven't welded for about 7 years. 

Pride comes before....

Ken

:P Don`t give up the day-job, Ken! ;D

I think you are right about the day job.  ;D ;D

I remain convinced that MIG welding is easy, once its set up properly, anyone can do it. My son who has had no formal training is producing reasonable flat position runs. I got a text today, "any spare steel in the garage Dad ?" . I am worried I come out and find the Mig doors welded shut !.

Ken

I remember having a go with my bruv's mig welder once - laughing his head off at the finished article -  his verbal comment was:

" It looks like an Albatross DUMP !"   nice ;D ;D ;D ;D

At least I tried  :-[ :-[ :-[

So wouldn't worry about your pigeon sh*t :y :y :y

But would side with Debs about yer day job ! ;D ;D ;D

Joking aside, Ken......I`ve found that most problems that I`ve had when using my MIG, have been dirt/rust/zinc/oil surface-contamination related.
Bright, bare/clean steel is the way to go. ;)

wire speed bit high BUT not bad, Dont try arc welding though-took 6 months for me to get trained. Argon/Co2 gas is ok but harder to set up  :y

Yes you are right, I was going to add, I have been using pub CO2 for some time, its a harsh weld, however I managed to get some Argoshield type gas and at higher current it is sooo much better, weld arc is more continuous, a different, smoother sound than CO2.

Welding is fun, but you need lots of practise to stay in touch.  :y

Ken

Ken T wrote on 21. Apr 2011 at 23:07:

Yes you are right, I was going to add, I have been using pub CO2 for some time, its a harsh weld, however I managed to get some Argoshield type gas and at higher current it is sooo much better, weld arc is more continuous, a different, smoother sound than CO2. Welding is fun, but you need lots of practise to stay in touch.  :y Ken

I think that is the secret, my welder has sat unused for 5 or 6 years, I have plenty wire and gas, just not needed.......if and when it does come out I will need to practice again to get it right.... :)

Although I have a MIG set, I've never really been a fan of MIG welding. Much prefer TIG (which is normally only found at work) or a MMA/'stick' set  :y :y

I was talking about my Mig welder, however I prefer Gas for welding and brazing, I have a small kit with some gas and oxygen, mainly brazing, but these are no longer available, so once used stock up kit will be binned.... :(

Vamps wrote on 22. Apr 2011 at 00:49:

I was talking about my Mig welder, however I prefer Gas for welding and brazing, I have a small kit with some gas and oxygen, mainly brazing, but these are no longer available, so once used stock up kit will be binned.... :(

I always wish I'd 'relocated' the small bottle oxy/acetylene set we had at Halls when it closed.  :(

Andy B wrote on 22. Apr 2011 at 00:52:

Vamps wrote on 22. Apr 2011 at 00:49: I was talking about my Mig welder, however I prefer Gas for welding and brazing, I have a small kit with some gas and oxygen, mainly brazing, but these are no longer available, so once used stock up kit will be binned.... :( I always wish I'd 'relocated' the small bottle oxy/acetylene set we had at Halls when it closed.  :(

:)

Still better than mine. Not really had time to practice, and I think that's the key.

Need to tidy garage before I can play again

TheBoy wrote on 22. Apr 2011 at 08:17:

Still better than mine. Not really had time to practice, and I think that's the key. Need to tidy garage before I can play again

I'm sure you can find a bit of metal that needs welding back onto your garage door... ::)

Must have a play with my welder again sometime. None of the umpteen projects I've started and not yet finished require welding though. ::)

Kevin

Kevin Wood wrote on 22. Apr 2011 at 10:06:

TheBoy wrote on 22. Apr 2011 at 08:17: Still better than mine. Not really had time to practice, and I think that's the key. Need to tidy garage before I can play again I'm sure you can find a bit of metal that needs welding back onto your garage door... ::) Must have a play with my welder again sometime. None of the umpteen projects I've started and not yet finished require welding though. ::) Kevin

Yeah, that Omegatoy is a bloody hooligan. He knew I was after him after doing that, so he went into hiding and emigrated to the Costa Del Crime ;D ;D

TheBoy wrote on 22. Apr 2011 at 11:20:

Kevin Wood wrote on 22. Apr 2011 at 10:06: TheBoy wrote on 22. Apr 2011 at 08:17: Still better than mine. Not really had time to practice, and I think that's the key. Need to tidy garage before I can play again I'm sure you can find a bit of metal that needs welding back onto your garage door... ::) Must have a play with my welder again sometime. None of the umpteen projects I've started and not yet finished require welding though. ::) Kevin Yeah, that Omegatoy is a bloody hooligan. He knew I was after him after doing that, so he went into hiding and emigrated to the Costa Del Crime ;D ;D

;D :y got any proof it was me??????? ::) that did what ever you are referring to?? :-*

Omegatoy wrote on 22. Apr 2011 at 18:19:

TheBoy wrote on 22. Apr 2011 at 11:20: Kevin Wood wrote on 22. Apr 2011 at 10:06: TheBoy wrote on 22. Apr 2011 at 08:17: Still better than mine. Not really had time to practice, and I think that's the key. Need to tidy garage before I can play again I'm sure you can find a bit of metal that needs welding back onto your garage door... ::) Must have a play with my welder again sometime. None of the umpteen projects I've started and not yet finished require welding though. ::) Kevin Yeah, that Omegatoy is a bloody hooligan. He knew I was after him after doing that, so he went into hiding and emigrated to the Costa Del Crime ;D ;D ;D :y got any proof it was me??????? ::) that did what ever you are referring to?? :-*

Was this to make that 'specialist' tool for the TD Elite? My memory isn't what it used to be!