How do I make welds like this?

[lewis]

I want to make welds like this. What is the technique used to make some stacked nickles.

 

[Shawn]

That weld looks like a stop and start. week...

 

[RockMonkey]

Yeah, I thought the same thing Shawn. If that's the case, it's probably not a very strong weld.

 

[Shawn]

I use two methods, push and pull and/or small circles.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Great thread... I've never been quite satisfied with my welding. I think I weld for "strength" and suffer in the "look" all too often. Knock on wood I have never had a weld fail or leave me stranded... but I would love to improve the looks.

Thoughts?

 

[lewis]

Great thread... I've never been quite satisfied with my welding. I think I weld for "strength" and suffer in the "look" all too often. Knock on wood I have never had a weld fail or leave me stranded... but I would love to improve the looks.

Thoughts?

Those welds look good compared to a few I have seen.
I have always welded with a lincoln 100 flux core and finally upgraded to millermatic 180 and so I am having to learn all over again.
I am no expert but I always try to make my seams where they are less likely to be seen instead of right in front. It takes a little more finesse to round that edge though.

 

[waynehartwig]

That weld looks like a stop and start. week...

x2
You can see the 'holes' or dimples in each of the dimes.

Here's the pattern I use. I'm not very good at drawing in MS paint But it's a C or stitch pattern. You can go fast or slow depending on what you need to make your puddles and penetration.

Whatever way you do it, just keep moving. Don't go back into your puddle (like forward back, forward back) as it will contaminate your weld. Same with making circles.

 

[RockMonkey]

Great thread... I've never been quite satisfied with my welding. I think I weld for "strength" and suffer in the "look" all too often. Knock on wood I have never had a weld fail or leave me stranded... but I would love to improve the looks.

Thoughts?

Looks fine. No beauty contest winner, but from the discoloration on both sides of the weld it's a good bet that they penetrated well. For off-road applications, I'd say you're a lot better off with a weld like this than a nice looking (I guess) weak weld like the one pictured in the first post.

You just keep doin' your thing, man.

 

[bobmed]

practice practice practice
http://www.millerwelds.com/resources/improving-your-skills/

 

[RWH]

Depending on the process and material I change my method. But on Aluminum with a GTAW i'll do small oscillations that gradually progress, Near the end of the weld i'll slowly reduce my heat as i approach my stop in order to keep it from flaring out. One of the biggest keys to getting a concistant weld is Keeping a rythm with you're oscillation and forward progression. Just practice Practice Practice.

 

[bobmed]

That is a nice weld

 

[Cherokeester]

The zig zag like wayne showed is supposed to be the best for all around welding. That is what I am practicing to perfect. I have a ways to go though.

 

[gijohn40]

Ian on extreme4x4 did a segment on weld styles... he shows the backand forth method then the circle method and then the one wayne showed which is really nothing more then doing the letter C back and forth... he explained that the first two methods went back onto the welds and contaiminated it plus I guess when you go back into a weld it soften it up... so he recommended the C method due to it doesnt contaminate the weld and makes it stronger...

Now being someone that doesn't know the first thing about welding (really want to learn and teachers?) this all kind of made sense to me as he explained it and showed the way to do each weld....

 

[chadschoon]

not true. I have seen this weld done, and it is a constant weld. Homer and wooley actually use this weld alot for decerative stuff, i have alot of it on my rig. Its more of a j when you weld it, they tried to teach me and ive almost got it. Yes its not as strong but its still strong we didnt use this weld on the things that really needed strength though ( roll cage, links, and brackets)

 

[Tacoma]

3.....2.....

 

[waynehartwig]

not true. I have seen this weld done, and it is a constant weld. Homer and wooley actually use this weld alot for decerative stuff, i have alot of it on my rig. Its more of a j when you weld it, they tried to teach me and ive almost got it. Yes its not as strong but its still strong we didnt use this weld on the things that really needed strength though ( roll cage, links, and brackets)

Constant doesn't go back on itself? Constant is ok, as long as you can get the heat and fill going.

Another reason not to go back on itself is it get's the weld too hot and breaks down the metal?

I'm in no way an expert... I wonder where the board experts are?

 

[chadschoon]

I'm not saying its a strong weld I said decerative. But it is a constant weld and I'm sure homer would so you if you really wanted him to

 

[waynehartwig]

I'm not saying its a strong weld I said decerative. But it is a constant weld and I'm sure homer would so you if you really wanted him to

Nobody has said the constant weld is bad!

And it is strong if done properly. Look how hard it is to get axle brackets off. Those are done by robots and in a constant fashion.

 

[chadschoon]

 

[Tacoma]

no, no.... welds that aren't strong are fine.