First Welds. Not a project...
... Not expecting anyone to "ooooh and ahhhh" over these pictures but, am just showing that the PowerPro 205 and I are getting along nicely. I've tried a bunch of basic flat position lap and butt joins and it's working out well. I could easily use-up a few more tanks of gas just practicing with the different effects of the settings but now that I have basic settings where I want them, it's time to practice on technique. Yesterday, I experimented with 2T and 4T and I see the pros-cons. I'm think I'll practice getting smoother welds with 4T then, switch to footpedal so I can cut back Amps once the piece gets hot. Right now, I'm controlling heat by clamping to angle iron and a big AL heat sink. No cracks at all so far.
I did some inside and outside corners not expecting to get great results but rather to see how much the angles change after cooling. The angles held true -probably because I tacked. As it turns out, the outside weld quality came out continuous and didn't widen-up too much. The inside weld was tricky until I realized I was holding the torch at too much of an angle. I had to hold flat, make two separate puddles then stick the filler to join them. Then I was able to push the pool but visibilty was bad and I had some voids. Needs more practice -about 4-5 tanks worth I'd say
So far, I really like the machine and with stick, it's a dream. This weekend, I have 400lbs of 1/2" angle iron that needs to look like a platform when I'm done welding on it and I'll use the new machine.
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