Sites for newbies ?

The owner's manual for many welders gives examples of good and bad welds and explains why they are that way. I don't know which welder you're using so I picked a low-cost one typically used by hobbyists that should be helpful, with example images starting on page B-16:

Best Regards, Keith Marshall snipped-for-privacy@progressivelogic.com

"Even if you are on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there." - Will Rogers (1879-1935).

Thanks for that Richard, they're ideal and will give me something to go over for a while. I've actually got a SIP migmate (with gas) and the manual (if you can call it that) doesn't really go into much at all. The Lincoln site has a whole lot more on it Thanks again Jim

If there is anything you want to know it is on Ernies site. Fill your boots.

Had a look over that lot last night and had another go with the MIG just now. I won't say I can weld but I can join 2 pieces of metal together and it doesn't look half bad ! A *MAJOR* improvement. I'll got and saw through the welds I've done in a little while and see how much better I am now. Thanks for the links Keith

I think there's more than enough there to be getting on with ! I'll start cracking on that little lot tonight and find a load of relevant stuff Thanks Randy

Glad to help!

I have another tip that may help...

An easy way to figure out your best wire speed is to start a weld on scrap with the gun in one hand and the speed knob in the other. As you weld run the speed up and down to find a point where you have the smoothest sound, kind of like bacon frying. I haven't used flux-core enough to notice but I've heard that it has a fairly wide "smooth band" while MIG has a narrow band so speed is more critical.

Best Regards, Keith Marshall snipped-for-privacy@progressivelogic.com

"Even if you are on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there." - Will Rogers (1879-1935).