grade my shitty welds, how can i improve
 

i want to know how to get a better continuous bead, im using this smiley nig tig. i know i need to upgrade but im just learning this is my 3" test pipe that im welding a flange on. 15 cfh set on 4(power)

http://images17.fotki.com/v312/free/...-vi.jpg?500375

Re: grade my shitty welds, how can i improve
 

dont use jb weld?

jk looks better than what I can do.

Re: grade my shitty welds, how can i improve
 

It looks like your not even penetrating the flange and your using a bunch of filler to make it look like that.

Re: grade my shitty welds, how can i improve
 

lol as much i don't want to believe it......you may be right. i think i will try to turn up the power. also im using small 3/32 electodes

Re: grade my shitty welds, how can i improve
 

also i use a back and forth motion with the torch and blow towards the filler but after a few minutes the power seems to choke and the puddle slows and wont move as easily

Re: grade my shitty welds, how can i improve
 

more heat...

add wire AS NEEDED. Don't think you have to just keep adding wire with some sort of rhythm. Add only as you need to. Watch the back edge of the puddle to see how much you need to add. You will see it rise up when you add wire.

Re: grade my shitty welds, how can i improve
 

this is what i do but as i add wire it balls and then it won't flow easily, whats the best size electrode to use for welding exhaust flanges. also am i wrong by trying to manipulate the torch to get the puddle to move?

Re: grade my shitty welds, how can i improve
 

You should be welding hot enough that the puddle will move with you without any special movements.

As for the wire balling up...there's a few possible reasons for that:
1) Moving it too slowly towards the puddle, and it gets hot and melts before you get it to the puddle. You do NOT want to try and melt the wire with the arc. Melt it by putting it into your molten puddle.

2) Too long of an arc. This means that the arc is ------ing out farther (it's like a cone) and #1 above his happening.

3) Too much angle on the torch. Think like you're skipping a rock on the lake. You'd sidearm it and throw at an angle close to the water's surface. When you have your tungsten pointed too much at an angle, your heat is like a rock skipping across the lake...and it's heading straight for your wire that you're trying to get into the puddle before it melts. You want to have your torch at about 15 degrees from vertical. 1/16" arc gap should be fine also. You really don't need to be closer.

Re: grade my shitty welds, how can i improve
 

Upgrade your power source (welding machine). Shitty machine = Shitty welds!

Re: grade my shitty welds, how can i improve
 

damn your are so on point i do hold it at a steep angle but only because it seems to move the puddle better. i'll try what you are saying its seems like that may be the problem. also where should the heat be concetrated when welding a flange to a pipe? at the intersection point of the 2 pieces or on the edege of the pipe?

Re: grade my shitty welds, how can i improve
 

Yes, and rather than angle 45 degrees into it, angle just slightly towards the top piece...IF both are the same thickness. But in this case, you may need to go the other way and keep a little more heat on the flange, since it's thicker.

Re: grade my shitty welds, how can i improve
 

Its nice to professional like yourself taking the time to help us Noob welders out. I have learned a lot from your posts and would like to say thanks.

Re: grade my shitty welds, how can i improve
 

indeed engloid is the man!!

Re: grade my shitty welds, how can i improve
 

x10 you're my hero engloid. i wish i had the money to buy a nice miller. they keep trying to sell me one everytime i go to abco.......lol im so tempted. i bet i could produce wayyyyy better welds. but they don't have payment plans so i don think i can do it til my car is finished that come first

Re: grade my shitty welds, how can i improve
 

No problem, guys. I guess part of the reason I do it is because I know that welding instruction is something that's hard to find... well, GOOD instruction, that is.

I also hate to see so many people that call themselves professionals, yet suck at welding. The best way to combat it is to help people to make them look bad doing it. haha!!

Re: grade my shitty welds, how can i improve
 

quit tooting your own horn :P