First time sticking metal together

[Will]

Welding makes its own light. If you can't see the weld with zero additional lighting, you're using the wrong shade lense.

I'm talking about focus distance. I lost the ability of my eyes to change focus a few years ago. Can't see the pretty little orange pool and stir it around through my +6.5 glasses. When I take them off, I can still do it.

 

[97RangerXLT]

 

[Curious Hound]

@dirtma. What are your thoughts on using tip dip to keep the mig gun clean? Any adverse affects? I started using some (Cooter Snot) when I bought my welder a few months ago. I like it. But if there is something significantly bad about it, I'll stop.

 

[Dirtman]

@dirtma. What are your thoughts on using tip dip to keep the mig gun clean? Any adverse affects? I started using some (Cooper Snot) when I bought my welder a few months ago. I like it. But if there is nothing significantly bad about it, I'll stop.

Nothing wrong with nozzle dip. I don't find a need for it most of the time but it certainly doesn't hurt anything.

 

[Blmpkn]

Welding is goes *bacon sounds*

 

[Dirtman]

Welding is goes *bacon sounds*

Not tig welding...

 

[Roert42]

Not tig welding...

Hold My Beer.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

What kind of welder are you using and what polarity? I was reading a thing recently that said MIG should be gun positive and wire-feed (flux core) should be gun negative if I remember right.

I learned to weld with oxy/acetylene. Good old gas welding. I have a love for it, but it’s not always practical. I still do it from time to time though. Next step was a Lincoln AC-225 stick welder. Burned a fair bit of rod with it, but never was all that great at it. Then I got a Lincoln PowerMig 200 I think it is. Big monster, holds 44# spools. I got it with a near full spool which is now nearly empty. It’s practically a hot glue gun for me. Built a 6.5’x10’ plus a 1’ beaver tail trailer with it a few years back plus numerous other projects. Recently got a little Titanium wire feed from Harbor Freight with my dad to use for things like exhaust and mower decks and stuff.

Stick welding is still my weakness, definitely need more practice and maybe some instruction or a better welder. But it works in a pinch and with 6011 rod will burn through anything. I’m still getting used to the Titanium welder, the wire that came with it was crap though. So quality of consumables do make a difference. The MIG likes clean metal, but it does a great job, and I have learned how to adjust the settings based on what I’m welding and how the bead is laying.

 

[Dirtman]

Flux core welding uses straight polarity (electrode negative). Mig welding uses reverse polarity (electrode positive).

 

[Roert42]

Flux core welding uses straight polarity (electrode negative). Mig welding uses reverse polarity (electrode positive).

Just out of curiosity, why? For flux core(or anything really), I would assume the polarity would depend on the wire used and the type of material welded.

I sorta understand how the polarity will effect stick welding.

 

[Dirtman]

Just out of curiosity, why? For flux core(or anything really), I would assume the polarity would depend on the wire used and the type of material welded.

I sorta understand how the polarity will effect stick welding.

Science...

Has to do with how the flux effects the heat transfer, the temperature the flux needs to stay useable, the flow of electrons to keep the flux where it belongs, and the intended use of the filler. You are correct that the wire/material will effect which polarity you choose but as a rule of thumb for welding mild steel you use DCEN for E71T-GS flux core wire and DCEP for E70S-6 mig wire. Switching to DCEP on flux wire will usually result in burning through material, undercuts, or burning off the flux causing porosity. Using DCEN on mig wire usually has the opposite effect, no penetration and convex beads. You really would have to learn about all the different types of electrodes, materials, and types of transfer (such as mig spraying, and pulse) to understand why and when to use one polarity over the other.

It's also worth noting on many cheaper machines the polarity you set the machine to usually also controls the gas solenoid so you simply cannot change the polarity. When its set for DCEP the gas is on, when it's set for DCEN the gas is off. So your stuck using those settings for MIG or flux unless you rewire the gas solenoid wiring.

 

[Roert42]

Science...

Has to do with how the flux effects the heat transfer, the temperature the flux needs to stay useable, the flow of electrons to keep the flux where it belongs, and the intended use of the filler. You are correct that the wire/material will effect which polarity you choose but as a rule of thumb for welding mild steel you use DCEN for E71T-GS flux core wire and DCEP for E70S-6 mig wire. Switching to DCEP on flux wire will usually result in burning through material, undercuts, or burning off the flux causing porosity. Using DCEN on mig wire usually has the opposite effect, no penetration and convex beads. You really would have to learn about all the different types of electrodes, materials, and types of transfer (such as mig spraying, and pulse) to understand why and when to use one polarity over the other.

That makes a lot of sense.

As I understand it, the negative side ends up heating up the most.

 

[Dirtman]

Electrode negative gives a shallower wider pentration pattern, electrode positive gives a narrow deeper pattern into the workpiece. Heat works in thirds, dcep has two thirds from the filler one third on the material, dcen is the opposite.

 

[Roert42]

Electrode negative gives a shallower wider pentration pattern, electrode positive gives a narrow deeper pattern into the workpiece.

Thanks Dirtman!

You’re The Best!