I am working on a project as kind of a warm-up for a SAS. Gotta get the fab skills first.

This is a pic of a 3 link front end for a go cart, actually. The axle tube is 1" for scale. Wondering about penetration on the weld - the weld you see is identical to the weld on the other side of the bracket. Looking at the inside of the weld, there is no penetration at all.

What SHOULD you see on the inside of a fillet weld? Should I be closing up the gap between the two pieces, or is this what you would expect?

Thanks

Brian

Well judging from the picture it looks as if you can see signs of heat on the inside part of the weld so your heat is right...its hard to see the weld but try using a z pattern and for the rest to help its always good to tell us what your welding with....welder and all information....

Frist are you using a stick welder ? Second are you using the right rod for the metal you are welding . The easy way to find the right rod is go get a welding book . it will tell you how to read the numbers on a rod . If you are using a Mig welder are you on the right setting . See the chart on the inside of the lid of the welder . I've tought I was using the right amp and the weld looked good but no penetration . Good luck with the welding .

Ummm, you don't have near enough penetration or coverage on the tube T joint. :D

Its definatley mig, you can see that at the end of the puddle. You're wirespeed looks too high, turn it down till it sounds like bacon frying.

Yes, it is mig w/ 75/25 gas. 110V until the new Hobart 175 arrives. I'll back off the wire speed and see what happens.

So for a T joint like this - you should get fusion all the way through the space where the material butts up, correct?

that looks pretty good, once you get comfortable with it throw a little whip into it to gain a little more pen. loos good tho.

-Scott

And when you do try to lay in the side ways "U" pattern, pause just a sec at the ends and do not go to fast or you'll undercut. this weakens the metal to the side of the weld.


def...

Undercutting---
Undercutting is simply a joint that has not been properly filled. The base material is melted, mixed with the filler metal and solidified as a weld bead. It is usually characterized by high crown.
Undercutting is probably the most common of all defects in welding. There are many causes but the most common cause is excess travel speed...quite simply, there is not enough weld metal to fill the joint.

looks like it starts out cold and then as the part heats up it starts to look good. too much wire feed.

closer pic needed, but looks good from here! What settings, what welder, what wire? I use the 135 and believe it or not I get the best penetration with .024 wire. I have built a LOT with it though, nothing has broke yet ;)

Originally posted by Brandon
I use the 135 and believe it or not I get the best penetration with .024 wire.

That makes 100% sense. You need more power to run bigger wire.

Originally posted by mike


That makes 100% sense. You need more power to run bigger wire.

I am using .30 in a 110vlt/125amp welder.If I drop down to .24 will I get better penetration?I have been building my Jeep and have been getting better but am no pro.Thanks Blazin:D