Equipment/MIG Welder/Refresher

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Revision as of 19:13, 21 February 2013 by Booyaa (talk | contribs) (Refresher course draft)
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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, find out when they can pause it. welder will interfere.

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