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Boomer-61

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No penetration
« on: February 15, 2010, 11:47:09 AM »
I did a search and didn't find this so if it's out there please direct me to it.
    I have a Hobart 115 and have been tacking things up with flux core till I finally got the gas kit and argon.  I installed the kit and have checked and rechecked it.  I started out with .023 wire and got some advise to change to .030 which is what is in it now.  The material I'm welding is standard tube steel like 16 ga or 3/32" wall thickness.  I have prepared the steel thuroughly but no matter what I seem to do I'm not getting any penetration.  This past weekend I was trying to weld tabs onto tube steel and you could peel every one off with pliers.  I have tried all speeds and am running max voltage.  It still wants to sputter but the main issue is penetration.  The gas is running at about 30 but I've tried more and less without effect.  Honestly, the argon makes no difference except in splatter.  When I practice, I get good flow but the welds are a lot more humped than when I flux weld.  Any ideas?
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Offline fastcorvairs

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Re: No penetration
« Reply #1 on: February 15, 2010, 12:13:15 PM »
Quote from: Boomer-61 on February 15, 2010, 11:47:09 AM
I did a search and didn't find this so if it's out there please direct me to it.
    I have a Hobart 115 and have been tacking things up with flux core till I finally got the gas kit and argon.  I installed the kit and have checked and rechecked it.  I started out with .023 wire and got some advise to change to .030 which is what is in it now.  The material I'm welding is standard tube steel like 16 ga or 3/32" wall thickness.  I have prepared the steel thuroughly but no matter what I seem to do I'm not getting any penetration.  This past weekend I was trying to weld tabs onto tube steel and you could peel every one off with pliers.  I have tried all speeds and am running max voltage.  It still wants to sputter but the main issue is penetration.  The gas is running at about 30 but I've tried more and less without effect.  Honestly, the argon makes no difference except in splatter.  When I practice, I get good flow but the welds are a lot more humped than when I flux weld.  Any ideas?

Sloooooooooowwwww down.  Back off on the wire feed and slow down. Give the machine time to penetrate.
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Offline fastcorvairs

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Re: No penetration
« Reply #2 on: February 15, 2010, 12:15:31 PM »
PS

Why are you not useing CO2?
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Boomer-61

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Re: No penetration
« Reply #3 on: February 15, 2010, 01:05:31 PM »
I am using an Argon/CO2 mix.  As far as wire speed, I've tried to weld at 30 inch per min and up to 80 inch per minute as the manual recommends.  Doesn't seem to matter.  Still no penetration.
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Offline fastcorvairs

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Re: No penetration
« Reply #4 on: February 15, 2010, 02:37:06 PM »
       When I say slow down I mean for you to move you torch slower.  I think you are trying to move your torch to fast and the weld puddle dose not have time to form.  That is usually why there is no penetration.  A 115 should be able to handle 3/32 steel.  I have a 80 that I carry in the trailer on gas and it will weld .120 wall. But I have to move very slowly. 
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Offline fabr

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Re: No penetration
« Reply #5 on: February 15, 2010, 06:52:01 PM »
slow the wire speed also to lessen the"hump"also
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Offline Boostinjdm

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Re: No penetration
« Reply #6 on: February 15, 2010, 09:42:53 PM »
Quit wasting gas 12-15 is all that is needed.  Turn the voltage all the way up for that thick of steel with that machine.  Start with the wire speed about half way and turn it up till you get a sizzling sound.  Did you switch the polarity when you changed over to solid wire?




EDIT.....I thought you said 3/16" steel.  For 3/32 you won't need the voltage all the way up.  Maybe halfway to 3/4.  Start the wire out at about a third and turn it up till it sizzles.  You could also try checking the door for a chart.
« Last Edit: February 15, 2010, 09:45:34 PM by Boostinjdm »
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Boomer-61

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Re: No penetration
« Reply #7 on: February 16, 2010, 06:48:53 AM »
The door chart tells me to run the votage on 4 and the reel speed at 80.  I get nice huge puddles with zero penetration with that set up.  The polarity is correct.  I've checked it three times.  I'll try turning down the reel speed, moving the tip slower and see what happens. 
I read on  another forum that with a welder that small you just can't get good penetration and need to go back to flux core.  I hope that's not true.
Thanks.
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Odyknuck

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Re: No penetration
« Reply #8 on: February 16, 2010, 07:35:14 AM »
Along with slowing your hand down, how close are you placing the tip to the work surface. To far away (more than 7/16" to 1/2") it will not penetrate well.  Are you pushing the weld or dragging it.  I find better penetration when pushing the weld.  I am far from being a good welder however that has been my experience. 
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Offline Carlriddle

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Re: No penetration
« Reply #9 on: February 16, 2010, 12:16:36 PM »
Slow down, heres the chart from Hobarts website for the 125.


Get you magnifing glass out rofl  for 1/8 w/gas amp on 4 speed 25 w/.030 wire.




« Last Edit: February 16, 2010, 12:18:36 PM by Carlriddle »
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Offline fabr

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Re: No penetration
« Reply #10 on: February 17, 2010, 06:39:58 AM »
It would help if we really knew what wall thickness. 16ga. and 3/32 are waaaay different at low amps.  3/32 is 50 % thicker than 16ga.. Sooooo,boomer, what are you welding?
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but something else also, isn't an American at all.  We have room for but one
flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is
the English language... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a
loyalty to the American people."
Theodore Roosevelt 1907

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Offline Yummi

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Re: No penetration
« Reply #11 on: February 17, 2010, 07:00:27 AM »
As the puddle starts to form, come back to the starting point, then proceed forward.  This will serve to purposes, one, it lets the puddle heat, two it comes back and avoids the small start stop for full penetration along the entire bead.   Also, there may be an issue with your starting gap between materials.  Grab a couple of pieces of scrap, put a bevel on them and practice.   
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chrishallett83

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Re: No penetration
« Reply #12 on: February 17, 2010, 10:43:10 AM »
Man, a thread titled "No Penetration" with 11 replies, and not one mention of Viagra.

I'm disappointed in you blokes! ;D
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Offline fabr

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Re: No penetration
« Reply #13 on: February 17, 2010, 10:59:47 AM »
 LMAO LMAO LMAO LMAO LMAO I was about to fall asleep waiting for the obvious jokes myself!  rofl rofl rofl rofl
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"There can be no divided allegiance here.  Any man who says he is an American,
but something else also, isn't an American at all.  We have room for but one
flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is
the English language... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a
loyalty to the American people."
Theodore Roosevelt 1907

-----------------------------------------------------------
 " You have all the right in the world to believe any damn thing you'd like, but you don't have the right to demand that I agree with your fantasy"

Odyknuck

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Re: No penetration
« Reply #14 on: February 17, 2010, 11:05:40 AM »
Some topics are Important enough to not be Hi jacked. I know I refrained the best I could lol.
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