I'm learning to wire-weld with my new Lincoln Weld-Pak 3200 HD.
One problem I'm having is when I'm pulling, using the Innershield flux
core. Since I hold the gun in my right hand (with left supporting it)
and I'm pulling from left to right, my view of the joint ("joint"
meaning where the two edges I'm welding come together) is very limited.
It's blocked by the gun, my hands, etc.
Several times I've lost track of the joint - all I see is the glare of
the weld - and ended up laying a bead completely OFF the joint,
running along parallel to it!
It's even worse welding an inside corner joint, since I have to hold
the gun back towards me, at 45 degrees to the V and H sides. I tried
running about 8 inches of bead this evening down an inside corner, and
5 inches of it missed the joint completely!
I have the darkness on my auto-dark helmet turned all the way down to
"9," and it doesn't seem to help.
Can somebody give me a tip here? I'm sure I'm doing something wrong.
Thanks,
Ron M.
I have the same problem and number 9 seems too dark to me too. I do three
things when I'm having a lot of trouble seeing a particular joint. First I
put my reading glasses on under my welding helment. :-) I'm at that age
where my arms just aren't quite long enough any more so I need glasses to
read. I didn't think I needed them welding but it makes quite a bit of
difference.
The next thing I do if I'm still having problems is point a 500W Halogen
work light at it. I also sometimes run soapstone over the joint so that I
have a more obvious line to follow.
Best Regards,
Keith Marshall
snipped-for-privacy@progressivelogic.com
"I'm not grown up enough to be so old!"
Taken from the book "Welder's Handbook"... Practice, practice, practice! =)
-Mike
--
A happy kid behind the wheel of a 98 Mustang GT
Cold air intake
FRPP 3.73 gears
Steeda Tri-Ax Shifter
Flowmaster 40 Series mufflers (self-installed woohoo)
Hi-speed fan switch
255/60R-15 rear tires
Subframe connectors
Aluminum adjustable clutch quadrant
Not unless I look directly into it.
I suppose if I were working on polished stainless it would be a problem but
I can't afford anything like that. :-)
Best Regards,
Keith Marshall
snipped-for-privacy@progressivelogic.com
"I'm not grown up enough to be so old!"
: Keith - doesn't that 500W Halogen light trigger your auto-dark helmet?
--I've had this problem with even a 75W bulb, but the solution is
angling it correctly. Position it behind you, shining forward and it will
reduce this tendency..
If you are using flux-core wire and not using gas take the nozzle off. It
makes seeing the puddle and the joint real easy. Just remember that the tip
is alive when you pull the trigger and will arc if you touch any grounded
metal. A cheater lens inside the helmet might also help if your eyes are a
little aged like mine. I think Lincoln makes a special nozzle that is
smaller for flux-core use. You can also get into tight spots a lot easier
with the nozzle off. Works for me.
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