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Up Topic Welding Industry / General Welding Discussion / welding thin sheet metal help?
- - By KennyCalJr (*) Date 07-20-2011 00:35
I have to run some beads for a test at a local company, need some help on settings and wire feed speed. Pulse Arc Mig, 1"x1" angle stock, 1/8" thick. I must run a few flat beads and vertical beads. my question is what should be a starting point of my volts and wire feed speed? thank you
Parent - - By Blaster (***) Date 07-20-2011 03:27 Edited 07-20-2011 03:34
I am not experienced with pulsed solid steel wire, which is what I am assuming you are referring to, but which you didn't state.  In any case, a starting point for any procedure and material type would be dependent on wire diameter.  Anyone who will help will also likely want to know gas type and electrode classification.

Also on pulse, will you actually be dialing in voltage?  Or will you be using a common synergetic arc length trim control?
Parent - By Billyboy (*) Date 07-20-2011 17:22
Need more variables!  I am very familiar with certain pulse machines, which one you useing?
Parent - By TimGary (****) Date 07-20-2011 20:59
This is difficult because all machines are different, and different manufactures call setting options by different names and have varied settings ranges, so I can only be generic...

Pulse uses three basic settings, arc length, arc width and wire feed speed.
Arc length and arc width are ways of manipulating voltage.
Wire feed speed is synergic with amperage.

Start out with a wire feed speed around 270 - 300 inches per minute to make small ( 3 to 5 mm) beads with good penetration in the flat, horz, overhead and vertical down positions. You'll have to move on at a pretty fast travel speed, about 18 inches per minute to keep from blowing through on that thickness material. I recommend a slight straight back and forth whipping motion and pushing technique. If you have to do vertical uphill, you'll want to go down to about 250 IPM.

Set your arc length up just high enough to eliminate the spatter to get a clean weld that is tied in good at the toes.
Then fine tune with the arc width setting to help get the right size bead they're looking for.

If you can post the welding machine make and model, you can probly get better advice.

Tim
Parent - By Metarinka (****) Date 07-23-2011 21:47
I'll leave the technical mig advice for the other folks, but since when is 1/8" metal considered thin?
- - By jbndt (**) Date 07-24-2011 00:11 Edited 07-24-2011 00:21
Joel,

1/8” being thin is relative …
Wow, 28 gauge … Isn’t that kinda heavy?  :confused:

KennyCalJr,

If it’s any kind of a decent company, they ‘should’ provide you with a WPS and some scrap so you can dial in the machine.

Be honest with them.
If you are not familiar with the unit, tell them so.

Most people running the tests ‘know’ if you’re a welder just by looking at your weld bucket/gear or, are a BS artist.

(That’s why you should always buy your gear at a pawn shop …  :twisted:)

Seriously, how you set-up for the test is one of the better indicators that you have some experience or talent.

Cheers,
jb
Parent - By Milton Gravitt (***) Date 07-24-2011 15:00
KennyCalJr , Think I would ask for a piece of scrap of the same thickness to set the welding machine up on. I don't that would be asking for to much and let them know your smart enough not to use a part to set up on.

            M.G.
Up Topic Welding Industry / General Welding Discussion / welding thin sheet metal help?

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