Thats a good tip Jim. Any attempt to do long welds distorts thin metal. I have just found using .6mm helps to avoid blowing holes in thin metal. Learning to weld can be frustrating but satisfying when it comes together. Ken
----- Reply message ----- From: "Jim Hearne" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Subject: [Quantum Owners] Welding & GAs Date: Mon, Oct 21, 2013 7:02 pm I have to say i use 0.8mm wire for everything. Something shown to me by a car body repairer was not to try and do continuous welds on thin sheet (car body thickness), instead do a single quick weld without moving the torch, then release the trigger, move the torch half the weld dia and then do another overlapping “spot” weld. Repeat continuously along the joint. You end up with a load of overlapping spot welds but it makes it much much easier to weld thin sheet. Jim From: Ken Needham Sent: Monday, October 21, 2013 4:54 PM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: [Quantum Owners] Welding & GAs hi Derek, I've used the 160 version for some years with small bottles and large.I found with the small bottle and regulator that screws on top of the bottle, if you power off the unit with gas connected, when you press the trigger you can hear the gas hiss at the nozzel as you turn up the regulator. It should sound clear but soft. If it's harsh you are probably wasting gas. With Practise gas lasts much longer and as Jim says one only welds for a few seconds. Trouble is once the joys of success are found, there is so much to weld! then it's on to a large bottle and ball in sleeve type regulator.Gas type does make a difference. Co2 is ok and cheapest but an Argon mix does give a betteTry starting with metal about 2mm thick as thin metal is more difficult. Less than 2mm use 0.6 mm welding wire with the correct tip.Play on scrap first, it vreally is worth practising.pGood luckKen> Subject: Re: [Quantum Owners] Welding & GAs> From: [email protected]> Date: Sun, 20 Oct 2013 23:12:45 +0100> To: [email protected]> > Thanks Jim.> > No flow meeter fitted just the basic kit. The small bottle regulator supplied has markings on the top that are described in the manual as set 3 -4 for 2 to 3 litres per minute. Seems I was getting nothing at first but now still not enough. I'll look for a flow meter but gauges seem to be for large bottles on the whole.> > Cheers > > Derek> > > On 20 Oct 2013, at 19:40, Jim Hearne wrote:> > > You can run the bigger welders from a 13 amp plug, you might blow an occasional fuse if welding on the maximum current but i can't remember the last time mine went.> > Remember a 13amp fuse won't actually blow instantly at 13 amps, it will take many seconds, they need 2 or 3 times there rated current to blow straight away.> > > > I can hear a hiss of gas from mine in use (not over the sound of the weld but while the trigger is pressed).> > A louder initial noise and then a quieter hiss.> > Is your flow meter just a pressure gauge calibrated in l/Min ?, if so invest in one with the ball in the vertical tube, they are much more accurate.> > Not that i can remember what mine is set to, more like 5 l/min i think.> > if you are welding outside with any wind you need to turn it up more.> > > > The times you quote would be for a continuous weld but in practice most welds will only be a few seconds long if that.> > So it lasts a lot longer than you think.> > > > Jim> > > > > > > > On 20/10/2013 18:30, Derek Clews wrote:> >> Hi, got the Clarke Mig 135TE welder in the end due to the power requirements and this being the largest on a normal 13 Amp plug. Been giving it a try and now seem to be settling to it. I found I had to turn the power and speed down more than expected from the manual and had to play around a lot with the gas to get it flowing. Most practice welds were gasless due to that issue!> >> > >> So just a question on gas for those who have the experience. How much of a sound should I get from the gas flowing. I now get a 'fhut' sound when pressing the trigger if pressurised. But cannot hear a hiss as such. Is the 2-3 litres/min quoted in the manual such low flow for the handle? (it's not a lot really I suppose)> >> > >> Also I have seen some posts on the web about the small bottles lasting for only short periods like, 6 minutes of welding. That would be 18 litres at 3 litres/min. So does the rate have to be really high despite the manufacturers figures or are they set up wrong. You can get a small bottle of 110 litres and at 3 litres/min that should last 36 mins by my maths. A bit different. I appreciate there are bigger bottles out there but they do need storage and it does depend on use.> >> > >> Any thoughts?> >> > >> Derek> >> > >> > >> > > > > > > -- > > -- > > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Quantum Owners Group" group.> > To post to this group, send email to [email protected]> > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]> > For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/quantumowners?hl=en> > > > IMPORTANT NOTE: All information presented herewith is provided on an "As Is" basis, without warranty or the implication thereof. Neither the Quantum Owners Club nor the individuals associated with the Quantum Owners Club or in the preparation of the above information shall have any liability to any person or entity with respect to liability, loss, or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by the instructions contained within this or related message(s).> > --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Quantum Owners Group" group.> > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected].> > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.> > -- > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Quantum Owners Group" group.> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]> For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/quantumowners?hl=en> > IMPORTANT NOTE: All information presented herewith is provided on an "As Is" basis, without warranty or the implication thereof. Neither the Quantum Owners Club nor the individuals associated with the Quantum Owners Club or in the preparation of the above information shall have any liability to any person or entity with respect to liability, loss, or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by the instructions contained within this or related message(s).> --- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Quantum Owners Group" group.> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected].> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.-- -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Quantum Owners Group" group.To post to this group, send email to [email protected] unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] more options, visit this group at http://groups..google.com/group/quantumowners?hl=en IMPORTANT NOTE: All information presented herewith is provided on an "As Is" basis, without warranty or the implication thereof. Neither the Quantum Owners Club nor the individuals associated with the Quantum Owners Club or in the preparation of the above information shall have any liability to any person or entity with respect to liability, loss, or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by the instructions contained within this or related message(s).--- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Quantum Owners Group" group.To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected] more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out. -- -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Quantum Owners Group" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/quantumowners?hl=en IMPORTANT NOTE: All information presented herewith is provided on an "As Is" basis, without warranty or the implication thereof. Neither the Quantum Owners Club nor the individuals associated with the Quantum Owners Club or in the preparation of the above information shall have any liability to any person or entity with respect to liability, loss, or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by the instructions contained within this or related message(s). --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Quantum Owners Group" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out. -- -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Quantum Owners Group" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/quantumowners?hl=en IMPORTANT NOTE: All information presented herewith is provided on an "As Is" basis, without warranty or the implication thereof. Neither the Quantum Owners Club nor the individuals associated with the Quantum Owners Club or in the preparation of the above information shall have any liability to any person or entity with respect to liability, loss, or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by the instructions contained within this or related message(s). --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Quantum Owners Group" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
