Bought a welder, got tips?

[ehos]

Just bought a Migpack 10 and made some initial welds, boy I suck.

New respect for welders It's burning right through (although, I wasn't welding two pieces of metal together, just making lines).

The backside looks great though!

Any tips? It's gasless, flux core right now.

[69bug4me]

here's some tips and other thing that were posted a while back.

Shane
http://www.shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic ... ght=welder

[Kubel Nick]

Flux sucks for beginners (or for most people by that). If you have gas optional hookup, get the kit and hook it up. It's a night and day difference. I only use flux if I run out of gas and absolutley need something welded that can't wait.

[onevwnut_99]

I agree, Flux welding sucks. Especially on thin material. If your welding body panels your best bet would be to spend the extra cash and buy the gas setup kit. It is a noticable difference in your welds on thin or thick material. Less splatter and more even flow.

[ehos]

I just realized that it's impossible to do thin metal welding (like on a VW etc) w/ Flux.

Gotta go run out and buy the gas kit

[mharney]

I just realized that it's impossible to do thin metal welding (like on a VW etc) w/ Flux.

Gotta go run out and buy the gas kit

Not impossible by any measure, but not easy. It takes some practice and getting used to the tool, as well as the right heat sink setup and correct eye shielding so you can see what's going on.

[hoipolloi]

i too just bought a welder and didn't have the extra cash for the bottle so i learned with flux.. welded in a 3/4 floorpan patch pannel and learned pretty quickly how not to blow through... and how to fill in holes. i definatly will get a bottle before i start the rockers. good luck man

seth

[GhiaMonster]

KubelNick's got it right. Set up for gas and your welds will improve
1,000% They're alot cleaner, too!

I'm getting ready for body panel replacement and need to get some
practice. You can still easily blow through with gas too. Just have to
play with the settings.

[ehos]

OK! I'm hooked!

Question: How much Gas should I be using for thin sheet? (75 Ar/CO2), I was using 20 for just making lines. And what setting (lowest of course), how about wire speed? (3 outta 10?)

Rave:

This 'weldering' thing (I just like how that sounds) is EEEASSY!

Damn! I should've started earlier!! Compared to those flux 'welds' (black holes is what I call them), the MIG is AWESOME!

By the 10th line, I see beautiful, shiny welds, wow! The welds I made look WAY better than the crap stuff on my Ghia.

NOW it's time to really get to work I dunno why I didn't jump into this earlier (it was $$$$, but seems so worth it now).

I still don't know anything (which is more amazing, the cool welds I just made!), I still gotta figure out what the best settings for very thin sheet metal is.

[hoipolloi]

isn't it cool? i was surprised that on my frist job i stuck those floorpan patch pannels in without too much hassle. some blowthrough but learned real quick how to fill that in as well. good luck in the future and happy welding


seth