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Mig welding newbie

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tim(ny)

04-03-2002 07:45:00




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I bought an off brand mig welder at a garage sale and have started practicing. So far I'm using flux core, I'll get around to getting a tank of gas one of these days. I'm fairly good at gas welding and have done a little arc. My welds are pretty ugly, and one reason seems to be that I'm not seeing the puddle well. I'm using a shield with a #10 smoke glass, I believe it is, that came with an arc welder. Is this the wrong one for mig? Thanks to the experts.

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Robbman

04-04-2002 18:29:50




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 Re: mig welding newbie in reply to tim(ny), 04-03-2002 07:45:00  
If you want an accurate answer call your nearest welding distributor in your town. He has a chart that recommends the proper shade for the amperage you are using. Amperage dictates the lens shade.



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Trader

04-04-2002 07:42:44




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 Re: mig welding newbie in reply to tim(ny), 04-03-2002 07:45:00  
You would be surprised how much vision a dirty lense filter can block out. I replace mine regular because you can only clean a few times before the plastic gets too scratched up. They are cheap compared to your eyes. I would suggest not arc or mig weld with anything less than a 10. put some new plastic lense covers in. Also the lense with the gold reflecting surface (I forget what its called) on it helps brighten up the area for better vision of the weld zone

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Trucker

04-03-2002 20:54:41




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 Re: mig welding newbie in reply to tim(ny), 04-03-2002 07:45:00  
Thats right about the shade being based on the amps,but you need a 9 minimum to weld.If you cant see with a 9 its something else wrong,and a 10 is allright too.Theres a lot of difference between a 9 and 10,an 8 is too light.I didnt read this reply first about the shades,but its not like welding with a stick,theres lots of smoke with a stick,a mig with a tank has no smoke hardly.That means the arc is real bright,if you need a 10 with a stick,you might need an 11 with a mig,even if it is an off brand that arc is bright.It takes lots of practice,but the headache you will get from that 8 shade is going to take all the fun out of learning.

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Trucker

04-03-2002 20:43:31




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 Re: mig welding newbie in reply to tim(ny), 04-03-2002 07:45:00  
Thats a drawback with a mig,you need to turn it up a little,some more speed on the wire and hold the gun with the handle angled away from the weldjust enough to where you can see the arc,also that flux wire probobly smokes a lot.You can get some thick metal,v it out,weld making small triangles in the groove,and kind of get the hang of it,just hold it where you can see it,as I am right handed I angle my hand to the right.Just like laying dimes in that groove and if you are steady it will look good.

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rod

04-03-2002 11:31:04




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 Re: mig welding newbie in reply to tim(ny), 04-03-2002 07:45:00  
Got a little 110volt mig, had the same problem. Couldnt see, went down to a 8. Shading is based on amperage of the welder.



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tim(ny)

04-03-2002 12:25:36




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 Re: Re: mig welding newbie in reply to rod, 04-03-2002 11:31:04  
Thanks, Rod, I'm glad to hear that. The other possibility was that my eyeballs were shot. I'll pick up a #8.



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Dennis

04-03-2002 23:42:49




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 Re: Re: Re: mig welding newbie in reply to tim(ny), 04-03-2002 12:25:36  
When your eyes feel like they got sand in them,you'll switch back to a #10/even #12. If you want pretty welds, go with the gas.
Good Luck



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Bill

04-08-2002 15:05:47




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: mig welding newbie in reply to Dennis, 04-03-2002 23:42:49  
The video that came with my MIG unit specifies #10 shade. The manual ( How times change huh?)with the old stick/arc welder specified #12.

For about $140 from Harbor Frieght or similar from Northern Tool you can get a auto darkening helmet that will automatically set the shade based on arc. I have one. Will NEVER be without one. Every friend who comes by & try's it eventually gets one. I only use the mig for sheet metal as my crude skills lay mainly in the old stick welder for real welding. With the auto lense it's SOOOOO much easier to see where you are before you strike the arc & with the free hand it sure helps steady the arc hand after you been at it a while.... Just my 2 cents worth....

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