How do my welds look?

[GregWeld]

Originally Posted by MeanMike

Your welds look good. The fix for spatter is practice. The sprays help, you can use PAM cooking spray also. But, playing with your welder and burning wire will help more. You can get the spatter down with method and settings.

I tried all the recommendations out there for welder setting for my aluminum tig work and nothing got me results like I see from pros. Practice and a few lbs. of filler rod did more than changing settings. I found my torch angle was my biggest problem. Weld a bit, change something, see if it works and either go back or try something else.

Fit of your joints is just as important as your welding. Filling gaps will never look as good as a bead across a tight fitting joint. That's also a practice thing.

You lose you're man card for that kind of recommendation. LOL

[WSSix]

Thanks guys. I do appreciate the feedback and your warning, Vince

That's a very good recommendation about cutting through the welds to inspect them, Greg. I'll get on that while I wait for the next round of work to start on the TA.

Merry Christmas everyone!

[GregWeld]

Originally Posted by WSSix

Thanks guys. I do appreciate the feedback and your warning, Vince

That's a very good recommendation about cutting through the welds to inspect them, Greg. I'll get on that while I wait for the next round of work to start on the TA.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Don't cut up your work! Just lay some practice metal out and cut that up... LOL


When you take welding classes - that's what they do. Cut thru them and also put them in a bend test. Shocking how many you think you did just fine on and the things fail before they get 1/3 of the way into it.

[Che70velle]

Great advice, and info here. For anybody interested, there are classes available to most people locally, taught by certified instructors, to make sure you end up with a safe, and quality minded project. Your never too old to go back to school!
Shoot, I'm 42, and finished my degree this year.

[Vince@Meanstreets]

Originally Posted by GregWeld

You lose you're man card for that kind of recommendation. LOL

right, took me 6 years for the guys to forget about the Easy off oven cleaner in my cabinet and the KY in my latex glove drawer...... don't ask.

[Revved]

Originally Posted by Vince@MSperfab

right, took me 6 years for the guys to forget about the Easy off oven cleaner in my cabinet and the KY in my latex glove drawer...... don't ask.

I have a friend that keeps a couple blue latex gloves, duct tape and zip ties in the trunk of his car... in case he ever breaks down and has to change a tire or do a road side repair... I had to point out to him how creepy that actually appeared.