Equipment/MIG Welder/Refresher: Difference between revisions

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(Refresher course draft)
 
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'''Please don't use this until I've had it checked by someone competent -- 21st Feb 2013 booyaa'''
'''Please don't use this until I've had it checked by someone competent -- 21st Feb 2013 booyaa'''


If someone's using the laser cutter, find out when they can pause it. welder will interfere.
If someone's using the laser cutter, wait until they have finished. Welder can interfere. Hopefully we can put them on separate circuits sometime :)


===Checklist===
===Checklist===

Revision as of 19:29, 21 February 2013

booyaa's MIG welder refresher course

Please don't use this until I've had it checked by someone competent -- 21st Feb 2013 booyaa

If someone's using the laser cutter, wait until they have finished. Welder can interfere. Hopefully we can put them on separate circuits sometime :)

Checklist

  • wear suitable clothing boots, trousers that cover boots, nothing valuable that you wouldn't want a spark to land on
  • clean table (thing about what might burn if the molten metal falls through)
  • welding curtain in place
  • make sure the bit of metal you're working will have good contact with earth clamp. if you have to use wet and dry sandpaper to clean the surface
  • turn on gas (anti clockwise) don't lock to max, you might need to turn it off quickly
  • turn on regulator (clockwise) don't red line
  • rule of thumb with gas is you want to use as little as possible, it's only being used as an envelope around the metal and flux(?) to avoid oxidiation.
  • turn on welder you want the dials to be on 3 of 10 on feeder, 3 of 6 on power. generally you want both of these dials to be in the middle.
  • go slow, look for clean greyish bloom around your work.

Dos

  • clean work surface will avoid shit results
  • have a good quality finish or at least clean (no raggy edges or warp) to avoid shit results

Don'ts

  • galvanised zinc (our planters and tubing that looks like scaffolding) and chrome are fatal over time

Todo

  • learn why some metals are deadly and how to test chemically for them
  • welding helmets and spare gloves
  • take photos of equipment