120v MIG weld on a 3/8" thick (bevel 60deg)

[Sodo]

Now the big question do I fudge this and weld it in 3g (vertical up) or run it in the 1g(flat) I know 3g will have a better chance of working, but I don't know how many will weld in that position.

It's my impression that members want to see what doesn't work, and see what does work too. And what you had to do, to make it work. A bevel for example.

Thank you for your efforts, a lot of folks want to do it all with their keyboard as you can probably tell but I (and some other members) appreciate you taking the time.

 

[skylarkguy]

Looking forward to lifelakers tests.

 

[Fifelaker]

I just went out and tacked up the plates 27.5° (for a 55° included angle) bevel on each plate IRRC. 1/4" root gap I will weld them up in the am. I will weld them 3g uphill to give them the best chance of success. Just tacking these up taxed the welder so this is going to be a slow process.

Is there any interest in the D1.1 nonclementure? It is around 5-6 pages. I will scan them and try if anybody wants to read it.

 

[Furu]

Is there any interest in the D1.1 nonclementure? It is around 5-6 pages. I will scan them and try if anybody wants to read it.

That is a great idea. Please do. Those who want to learn will read and learn and those that do not won't..

 

[Fifelaker]

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=388993&stc=1&d=1409794866
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=388994&stc=1&d=1409794866
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=388995&stc=1&d=1409794866
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=388996&stc=1&d=1409794866
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=388997&stc=1&d=1409794866

 

[Fifelaker]

There is a tad bit more to doing this correctly than just welding it up.

 

[Sodo]

Just to throw a wrench in the gears, I welded pressure vessels and piping with downhand MIG root at around 115 amps and 18 volts (too cold for structural welding). The biggest was a vessel 10' in diameter with 2 3/4" thick heads that weighed over 50 tons. By all accounts this shouldn't be possible yet the root pass alone held the head on and then passed x-ray. It's done everyday, how is this possible? That's the question for the day.

Hmmmmmm

18v x 115A = 2070 watts. A 120v MIG has something like 2300 watts. By god Arc, that might even be 'on topic'! I think members are still hoping for pics of a successful 3/8" welded with 120v

But if your blood has stopped boiling yet, how is this possible?

 

[Happy Gilmore]

I know I know... but some are more 'bent' on this than others. Just bite the bullet and get the 211... best of both worlds! Too bad we lost SA on this adventure.

I ended up with the Lincoln 180 Dual, I was torn but went with the LWS I have a better relationship with and they carry red

 

[dragoneggs]

I ended up with the Lincoln 180 Dual, I was torn but went with the LWS I have a better relationship with and they carry red

I think the key is the 110/220v capability. I am thinking we have the best of both worlds! :drink:

 

[MinnesotaDaveChalmers]

Hmmmmmm

18v x 115A = 2070 watts. A 120v MIG has something like 2300 watts. By god Arc, that might even be 'on topic'! I think members are still hoping for pics of a successful 3/8" welded with 120v

But if your blood has stopped boiling yet, how is this possible?

I'm not a pipe welder, but likely because of a knife edge root prep.
Notice he only said he did the root that way - root pass uses less amps.
(Arc weld, feel free to correct me if I guessed wrong)

Tig roots are commonly done in the 80-90 amp range with a knife edge.
But as the passes get farther from the root, the amperage keeps getting increased.
I know on plate steel, I get up to 150-170 amps at times - but much less in an open root.

This is one of the limiting factors on heavy iron with a small mig - the farther from the root you get, the more mass there is under the arc.

I'm not saying successful open root 3/8" welds are impossible with underpowered machines - but I would definitely not advise them based on the methods I use that I know work. Plus, t joints and lap joints would require even more amps.