Mig weld bead diagnosis chart?

[C4Ranch]

Is there a site that would help me understand more about my welds?

For example, what does it look like if my wire is to fast or to slow, machine to hot or to cold?

 

[sixdogs]

When I was a newbie at this I got great info from the Lincoln Welding site. I had their hard copy material but I was told everything was on line as well. Their material is excellent. My instructor said to buy whatever machine you want but go to Lincoln for the info.

 

[C4Ranch]

Thanks! I'm using a Lincoln... It's been years since I've fired it up and couldn't watch the VHS it came with . Will check out their site.

Was welding som AR500 for some shooting targets and it's much thicker than I'm used to.

 

[Shield Arc]

Miller's website has some good information too.
Miller - Resources - Improving Your Skills

 

[Al 2]

Look here: Welding Tips and Tricks - TIG, MIG, Stick and a pantload of other info . This is a great site .
Al

 

[sixdogs]

Miller's website has some good information too.
Miller - Resources - Improving Your Skills

What a great site and a good reference. Thank you.

 

[Baby Grand]

Miller's website has some good information too.
Miller - Resources - Improving Your Skills

Words to live (and weld) by:

Also remember that you learn through mistakes. There's no shame in grinding out bad welds. In fact, professional welders create perfect welds by recognizing imperfections, grinding them out and rewelding.

 

[Mysfyt]

Those sights will help you get in the 'box', but your still going to put a piece of scrap on the table and experiment with the settings to find the 'sweet spot'. I'll also add this: Check your electrical connection starting at the breaker box all the way up to the connections inside your welder. If your not comfortable working around electricity, hire somebody that is. Welders draw a lot of current and create heat and it is not uncommon for the heat cycles to cause loose connections. If your welds start out good and get more erratic as you go, this is a classic case of what I just described. Also check your ground clamp. It should be clean and not oxidized. Make sure your contact tip isn't worn. Once you get to this point, set up your scrap piece and play with ALL the settings. You will learn a lot on your own.

 

[Arc weld]

What machine are you using and can you post pics?

 

[Mysfyt]

I see you are trying to weld AR plate. A Google search on that subject might help you with your set up.

 

[C4Ranch]

Yeah. That ar500 plate is different. First quick tack rolled off it.

Hard to get a good pic.

 

[C4Ranch]

Finished product. Base is made out of scrap laying around.





I guess some shots with my 45 and 454 should tell if my bubblegum sticking holds up.

 

[dragoneggs]

Finished product. Base is made out of scrap laying around.



View attachment 426600

I guess some shots with my 45 and 454 should tell if my bubblegum sticking holds up.

Nothing like being tested under live fire!

 

[C4Ranch]

Holding up so far to a .45. Had to turn my wire speed down and spend more time on the ar500 plate to get decent fillet weld.

 

[BukitCase]

Yeah, that stuff usually likes some preheat and 7018 stick - haven't tried wire on it yet, maybe a couple of projects from now... Steve

 

[Shield Arc]

When I did this bucket extension a few years ago, the metal supplier didn't have AR-500. Only AR-200. I pre-heated, welded the cutting edge with Lincoln's L-56 wire, and a slow cool down. Still working great.:thumbsup:

 

[Industrial Toys]

What is the purpose of the flip away sections on the target? That leaves a hole presumeably for head shots and centre of mass, but how do you know you hit them?

 

[C4Ranch]

It's a reactive target. Those are paddles that flip back and forth when you hit them.

When you hit the head shot it flips out to give you a hostage shot.

On the back of the ar500 plate I welded tubes that the paddles slide into and allow it to flip back and forth.