The Welding Thread

[RAY185]

also a pic of my turbo manifold I tig welded (purged) with a technique that is know to me as "walking the dog" !! well thats what my mate calls it who is a contract tig welder

It's actually called "walking the cup".
Regards Andrew.

Can either of you explain the technique and why you would use it over the normal tig process?

[mick3434]

It actually can be called either, does it matter?

[mick3434]

all it is is wresting the shroud on the job and doing a zig zag walking the shroud in like a crab walk motion. It looks alot neater.

[UNJUST]

As I said, just what my mate calls it, but walking the cup makes sense as that's what your doing

[awill4x4]

Can either of you explain the technique and why you would use it over the normal tig process?

Ray, it's a technique primarily used on pipe welding and sometimes on thicker plate butt welding.
It can give an even arc length and this is its main benefit.
It's not suited for thin wall or small diameter tubing.
On large pipes it does tend to be easier physically on the welder as concentrating on arc length is no longer an issue and the torch is supported by the ceramic cup.
I've tried it a couple of times but I didn't get the results I was hoping for so most of my Tig welding is "free hand", I do however support my torch hand whenever possible.
Also most of our Tig welding is small diameter thin wall tubing or fillet welding on boxes so the technique isn't really suited to what we do.
I would however like to watch it being done in person and getting someone who really does it well to explain how they set up torch angles and wire feed angles and learn the technique from someone who is actually using it fulltime.
The link below gives a pretty good idea of the basics of arm and wrist movements.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFEn4Ke-rjE" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Regards Andrew.

[UNJUST]

It's not suited for thin wall or small diameter tubing.

I largely disagree with that, that is how I welded all my exhaust, and cause its purged it looks the same on the inside as the outside

Can you explain why you think it not suitable?

[mick3434]

Yeah why would it be any different on thin wall pipe to free hand? Nearly every welder that does pipe work uses walking the dog to weld stainless pipe with wall thickness of 1.6. Some places won't give you work if you can't

[Narrowscopeofreality]

Im on my phone so wont bother attempting to quote...but the comment about the 'semi long pulse intervals' or whatever not being strong...please explain?

[Chook91]

Because I enjoy welding aswell as reading/ learning about it/different techniques (and the fact this was on page 3) I thought I'd bring this back to the top. Our workshop got our BOC Smootharc Elite 501 watercooled MIG back from repairs the other day (wire feeder was playing games) and so I thought I'd drag it out and use it. This is a big bloody machine by the way, but a bloody pleasure to use. Grabbed some more scrap and had a look at how it went.

thought I had my setting's right but my wire speed was a tad out, hence the spatter. (at least thats my excuse )



turned my wire speed down a fraction, changed my technique and this is what i got.

Any advice/feedback/verbal abuse is most welcome

[vanbox]

Been reading up on this thread as I am looking to get a welder soon.

This is the brand/model i seem to keep looking back on...

http://www.unimig.com.au/catalogue_prod ... category=2" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

What do you think? Pros, cons? Any other brands I should be considering instead?

I want to have mig capabilities, and will most likely have a crack at TIG one day. I need it to be as portable as possible (for use on building sites when necessary). I know they are not as light as the inverter stick welders, but I can only afford one.

While I have several projects I need to do, once finished, I MIGHT use a welder 6-10 times a year (who knows, I might use it more cause I can!). Whats the best way to go about mig wire? With the whole bottle rental thing, is it worth it? Can I get decent welds with gasless, albeit paying more for wire. Which would be more cost effective?

Lastly, recommended suppliers (welders, accessories and consumables) around Brisbane for good pricing and service/knowledge.

Cheers

Paul

[TURBO LS2]

One word....kemppi....we have Lincoln's, cig welds etc etc and none of them compare to our kemppi.

[ledgend80]

What is your budget?

We use that welder to run on our line borer at work and it can keep up with the holes we do.

[76 Tourer]

Anyone had any luck with gasless wire? I've tried CIG stuff in my lil kemppi and i think its shit (tried reverse polarity and didn't notice any real difference welding gal rhs) and would rather lug a bottle around.

Wow ! some great tips on this thread, rowenb were you "pushing" your weld like recommended for gas or "draggin" your weld like for stick ?

I've reciently been using gasless and had that exact problem and now all is sweet that I'm dragging the the torch

[vanbox]

What is your budget?

We use that welder to run on our line borer at work and it can keep up with the holes we do.

Under $1k for the welder would be good. I still need to get a helmet, gloves accessories etc. .
Thats the next question.....obviously sight is very important but whats the difference between a $50 helmet and a $1000 helmet? How much should I spend, what should I be looking for?

[Chook91]

What is your budget?

We use that welder to run on our line borer at work and it can keep up with the holes we do.

Under $1k for the welder would be good. I still need to get a helmet, gloves accessories etc. .
Thats the next question.....obviously sight is very important but whats the difference between a $50 helmet and a $1000 helmet? How much should I spend, what should I be looking for?

Depends on preferance really. The workshop Im at now is happy to supply all of us (11) with these helmets
http://www.justtools.com.au/prod6024.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
But I wasnt too keen on them. They just didnt sit on my head right. You need to be able to keep your helmet on for 8hrs straight and still be comfortable (these are our recommendations anyway)

Before I started at the current workshop I bought this
http://www.daysindustrial.com.au/lincol ... elmet.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I went with a cheapie because I am only a 1st year apprentice. But Im happy with this helmet, viewing area isnt too bad, never been flashed while wearing it, can adjust the delay time etc. So me, Im happy with it. My only gripe is that is is physically quite a large helmet.

For about a week (in this time i was looking for replacement lens covers for the above helmet) I got to use my dads Speedglas. These helmets are fantastic. Small, can switch between Grinding, Welding and Oxy modes, nice wide viewing area and most importantly, f****** comfortable. If I could afford 1 I would buy one.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003TL ... B003TLUEK8" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Like I said, pricey, but ultimately its your choice. Hope my 2c of rambling verbal defecation has helped in some way

Chook

[TURBO LS2]

Speedglas

[vanbox]

Whats the go with shielding gas? Is rental the ONLY option? How small a cylinder can I get? Is there a general rule of thumb for how long the gas would last?
Im seeing plenty of limits in gasless mig other than ease of use on building sites (wind).

What are people paying for gas/rental in Brisbane and who from?

Ive been hassling a couple of welding suppliers the last few days and they dont seem to want to be competitive. Any places to recommend for the UniMig 190?

[mickyd555]

Whats the go with shielding gas? Is rental the ONLY option? How small a cylinder can I get? Is there a general rule of thumb for how long the gas would last?
Im seeing plenty of limits in gasless mig other than ease of use on building sites (wind).

What are people paying for gas/rental in Brisbane and who from?

Ive been hassling a couple of welding suppliers the last few days and they dont seem to want to be competitive. Any places to recommend for the UniMig 190?

I rent my bottle from BOC rocklea, $180ish a year for a E size. Just get used to paying it, you need gas for anything decent, Its a deduction anyway.

[kx450]

One word....kemppi....we have Lincoln's, cig welds etc etc and none of them compare to our kemppi.

I learnt to weld on an old Kemppi and they are a great welder but i cant go past a franius

[rockcrawler31]

Here in sydney you can "buy" your bottle. Mine cost 300 bucks but it's a bit like a swap and go system. The bottle and fill is yours for as long as you want it after that. It's great for those of us who aren't a welding business or continual users. Mine will take 18 months to break even but after that it's money in the bank.

http://www.speedgas.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; i think is the place i get it

[CRUZAAMAD]

Whats the go with shielding gas? Is rental the ONLY option? How small a cylinder can I get? Is there a general rule of thumb for how long the gas would last?
Im seeing plenty of limits in gasless mig other than ease of use on building sites (wind).

What are people paying for gas/rental in Brisbane and who from?

Ive been hassling a couple of welding suppliers the last few days and they dont seem to want to be competitive. Any places to recommend for the UniMig 190?

mate your only buying one machine, not like spending serious coin on several 3ph machines that are 4grand a hit plus spare parts, pallets of wire every month like we do.
youd be pissing them off!!, you expect a discount with buying one machine? sorry buddy but that doesnt happen.
just try and get a roll of wire thrown in, after all your buying unimig...... its pretty cheap gear, but not a bad bit of gear either.
and a proper regulator, rather than the factory set ones,12ltrs a minute, SO you can adjust for outside conditions.

[TURBO LS2]

One word....kemppi....we have Lincoln's, cig welds etc etc and none of them compare to our kemppi.

I learnt to weld on an old Kemppi and they are a great welder but i cant go past a franius

Now were talkin $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[kx450]

One word....kemppi....we have Lincoln's, cig welds etc etc and none of them compare to our kemppi.

I learnt to weld on an old Kemppi and they are a great welder but i cant go past a franius

Now were talkin $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Not wrong.Worth every cent tho

[vanbox]

Ended up getting the Unimig190 from a welding shop down the road. $1250 including...

welder
mig torch
arc leads
regulator
trolley
large view auto helmet (unimig $200)
5kg gasless wire
chipping hammer
wire brush
silver pencils (apparently good for steel)
gloves

When all the little things were factored in, the best price i could buy the machine only for was $965 (online). So I think they did pretty well.

I would gladly pay $300 odd to own my own cylinder. I own my own gas cylinder that runs my kegs....why can't they do the same!

[inbits]

Best cheapest as I have come across is supagas they were around 100 cheaper than boc for work and free delivery

[rb_GQ]

hey guys
i had a go at the 'e' type motion seems good looks like it had about the same penetration as a straight weld..
This is also my first post,,, lol loving the site so far.

i as using a water cooled feronis time digital 5000 on synergic and pulse, with 1.2 mm wire and argon/co2 gas.
bit to hot for the plate used and too much wire.

here we go :

pulse.jpg

pulse e weave.jpg

pulse straight.jpg

[rb_GQ]

heres my synergic :

synergic.jpg

synergic e weave.jpg

Thanks guys hope i dont cop to much crap im only a second year boily apprentice..

[80's_delirious]

Here in sydney you can "buy" your bottle. Mine cost 300 bucks but it's a bit like a swap and go system. The bottle and fill is yours for as long as you want it after that. It's great for those of us who aren't a welding business or continual users. Mine will take 18 months to break even but after that it's money in the bank.

http://www.speedgas.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; i think is the place i get it

I used speedgas too, bottle was $280, refill is about $100 from memory.
My last bottle took 3+ years to use up with occasional use. Well in front vs paying bottle hire.

[RAY185]

http://www.speedgas.com.au

Fixed.

[MikeH]

Just going back to the comment a few days ago. You can buy disposable tins of gas, I started with that welding a floor into a car, I managed just over 1 metre of stitch welding the floor seams before it ran out.

I still keep some for welding on my trailer on my sloped driveway and stuff like that.
I have a unimig 175 and I use it for welding a roll cage and chassis. I'm a noob welder but getting better.