Let’s talk weld prep and penetration

[@thedoingnotthedone.6292]

I always learn so much just watching you work but taking that time to explain and experiment was really helpful. Thankyou.

[@user-uf3tt1cy5z]

Nice and steady walk through Matt - love it. We always stay to the end.... 🙂 - Rob

[@skidmores.garage]

@@user-uf3tt1cy5z thanks rob

[@djohh3057]

HI Matt, your average, everyday commercial MIG welder will always 'push' the gun ( not pull it ), you should hear a nice crackle when welding ( or a buzz if its a posh welding set ). Nicely explained.

[@skidmores.garage]

@@djohh3057 I watched a video digging deep into push/ pull and vertical up and down welding, and the push and pull came out pretty much the same in all test and examinations. I think a lot like to push as it’s easier to see where you are going.

[@trevorwoods2580]

I got an air fed mask last year it's the best thing I have ever bought for the garage and I find it very good for even keeping you cool too.

[@skidmores.garage]

@@trevorwoods2580 they are so much better once you have one aren’t they

[@trevorwoods2580]

@@skidmores.garage don't know why I didn't get 1 long ago.

[@colinsmith7385]

Very informative thanks Matt.

[@skidmores.garage]

@@colinsmith7385 thanks mate

[@gafrers]

Nicely explained

[@skidmores.garage]

@@gafrers thanks mate

[@matthoward923]

Good stuff

[@skidmores.garage]

@@matthoward923 thanks Matt

[@thaiexodus2916]

You can make full penetration welds that don't shrink. Just use enough tacks. But the metal should or must be preheated or cracks will be inevitable. - As it tries to shrink.

[@skidmores.garage]

@@thaiexodus2916 yes you can do it but it’s very time consuming and hard to master, it’s better I find to think ahead and counter act the warp and shrink within your job, say build over size to bring into spec if things are that critical. Preheat is mainly used in dense/think material or sometimes aluminium. I wouldn’t preheat for stuff I like I do as it’s not going to stop the sharing due to the thin wall

[@thaiexodus2916]

@@skidmores.garage Hard to master. I'm an old stick man, certified City of L.A., back in the 70s running 6010. So stroll in the park for me. But the modern MIG folks? Let's wish them luck. 😅

[@michaelnoyes4817]

Hey mate, do or have you done any testing on your welds? eg; macro, bend tests, as a means of verification/recording your welding settings?

[@skidmores.garage]

@@michaelnoyes4817 I do check out the welds yes, ideally you should when you change materials or get from another supplier. For instance I had some 25x50x3mm from a different supplier and you could see if was different and required less power. Also checking out your wire and gas, gas can make a big difference to a weld as so can wife. I had a real not so long back I ended taking off and binning as it just wasn’t right. You can tell a lot by the look of a weld but also the sound, smell and feel of the torch