Butt welding 1/8 inch mild steel

[BobR]

Hi.
I own an HTP 140 amp mig welder, after buying a welding book, I tried to practice some welding. I got a piece of 1/8 inch mild steel and tried to butt weld it together. I had the setting on the highest level, I had a good stable arc, and used a forehand weld (about 15 degrees). The steel was sanded clean and was degreased. I'm using argon and CO2. I only have .023 wire in the machine. The pieces of steel were held tightly together and my travel speed was very slow. When I broke the weld apart, I had less than 1/16th" of penetration and the weld puddle looked porous. What am I doing wrong? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

[cope]

I think you need bigger wire and a gap or bevel for deeper penetration.

[FIXXXXAH]

DEFINATLY NEED BIGGER WIRE...

[Sberry]

Turn the setting down one and the speed up some to start.

[BobR]

Thanks for the quick replies.
Is my machine that weak that I would have to bevel steel that is only 1/8" thick?
I know I need thicker wire. But, would thicker wire make THAT much of a difference?(to go from less than 1/16" penetration to the full 1/8" penetration)
As far as the wire speed, I had the machine running at the highest wire speed rate that I could... and not get "popping noises".

[Scott V]

BobR,check to make sure your gun is setup eletrode positive?

[BobR]

Scott, the gun is electrode positive. I just ran out to the garage to double check. 0(^_^)0

[Dan]

BobR

With a small short circuit transfer machine like yours, to be able to achieve full penetration on a square edge butt joint the pieces need to be gapped, and your going to need to run a hot setting. Personally myself though I like to run moderate settings and weld the joint from both sides instead.

By butting the joint up tight you give the weld metal no place to go. It is almost the same as if you were just running a bead on the surface of your basemetal. Try tacking your joint together with a 1/16" to 3/32" gap and see what happens.

Also, I have to agree that an .030 wire would be better for 1/8" then an .023.

[BobR]

Thanks for all the advice. I"ll use the info I received and try it again.

[Slag burn Billy]

Hi guy's 1st post here.

I'm make a product that I weld on both sides (3/16 and 1/8 plate) the out side I grind smooth for paint and power coat. My question is. My process is this. Weld the out side 1st/cool/weld the inside/cool/grind smooth outside.

From the experts, is there a method or something to make the welds inside to "look" better? By getting the puddle to lay down more? I'm sorry I don't have any pics. FWI I'm running co2/argon mix .030 wire and a Miller210 set on 3 and 52wirespeed.

[Guest]

I assume we're talking butt joint. Weld the inside gapped about 1/8" then grind a groove on the outside to achieve 100% and finish grind the outside. I'm also assuming you can't grind the inside. ? In order for the weld to lay flatter and look good, the weld metal has to have somewhere to go, like in a groove, or gap.

[Slag burn Billy]

Originally posted by Rocky D
I assume we're talking butt joint. Weld the inside gapped about 1/8" then grind a groove on the outside to achieve 100% and finish grind the outside. I'm also assuming you can't grind the inside. ? In order for the weld to lay flatter and look good, the weld metal has to have somewhere to go, like in a groove, or gap.

Yes ther are Butt weld sorry. Nope can't grind the inside. But I HAVE to weld the outside 1st, because of my jig set up. So even if I gap the outside the filler will, well fill up the gap right? There is no way I can groove the inside either. I guess I'm going to have to settle on these welds, or learn how to tig yes?

[Guest]

Well, Billy, if you gap it just right and practice some, you can weld it from one side and not have to weld the inside. You'll get 100% penetration from welding one side only.

[Slag burn Billy]

Originally posted by Rocky D
Well, Billy, if you gap it just right and practice some, you can weld it from one side and not have to weld the inside. You'll get 100% penetration from welding one side only.

Even after grinding it smooth? Do you think the joint will be strong enough? It's for a skid plate for a truck.

[Guest]

Originally posted by Slag burn Billy


Even after grinding it smooth? Do you think the joint will be strong enough? It's for a skid plate for a truck.

Yes, and yes. The gap should be wide enough to allow you to push the weld through to the other side of the joint.