How do you "test" a weld?
How do you "test" a weld?
Other than bashing it with a hammer and seeing if it comes apart, how do you know if a weld you have done is strong? I have been on mig-welding.co.uk and they show you the back of what you have welded to check penetration but I can't see the back :S
Understeer: when you hit the wall with the front of the car.
Oversteer: when you hit the wall with the back of the car.
Horsepower: how fast you hit the wall.
Torque: how far you take the wall with you.
Oversteer: when you hit the wall with the back of the car.
Horsepower: how fast you hit the wall.
Torque: how far you take the wall with you.
Re: How do you "test" a weld?
It comes with experience, Terry, but a good starting point is that if the visible bead looks right, then it is - in all likelihood - right.
Does it look like the line of soil that lies along a recently dug trench? If so, then chances are there's insufficient penetration, do the sides of the line of soil flow smoothly into the earth at either side, as though the rain's been in about at it for a night or two? Then chances are she's a good 'un.
I'd also bash it just to confirm that it won't fall apart any time soon.
Does it look like the line of soil that lies along a recently dug trench? If so, then chances are there's insufficient penetration, do the sides of the line of soil flow smoothly into the earth at either side, as though the rain's been in about at it for a night or two? Then chances are she's a good 'un.
I'd also bash it just to confirm that it won't fall apart any time soon.
J
"Home is where you park it", so the saying goes. That may yet come true..
"Home is where you park it", so the saying goes. That may yet come true..
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tractorman
- Posts: 1399
- Joined: Mon Feb 21, 2011 11:22 am
- Location: Wigton, Cumbria
Re: How do you "test" a weld?
^^^WHS^^^
When I started, I tested my welding by joining two bits of scrap that I could turn to check for penetration. Then it was an act of faith - in theory, if you had it right on the test piece and the bead looks similar, it should have the right penetration. On the other hand, John didn't point out that you can have too much penetration - this is a little easier to spot - holes keep appearing!
When I started, I tested my welding by joining two bits of scrap that I could turn to check for penetration. Then it was an act of faith - in theory, if you had it right on the test piece and the bead looks similar, it should have the right penetration. On the other hand, John didn't point out that you can have too much penetration - this is a little easier to spot - holes keep appearing!
Re: How do you "test" a weld?
Absolutely true of course. I just figured that if Terry has some doubt in his mind about whether he's penetrated sufficiently, then holes are unlikely to be an issue.tractorman wrote:.....On the other hand, John didn't point out that you can have too much penetration - this is a little easier to spot - holes keep appearing!
J
"Home is where you park it", so the saying goes. That may yet come true..
"Home is where you park it", so the saying goes. That may yet come true..
Re: How do you "test" a weld?
Cheers gents.
I have cut off the bit I did as it looks like lumpy snowballs sitting on top of the metal and looking at the back there was very little penetration. (currently i have half a roll of tape covering where metal isn't)
Assuming the rain goes away again I will have a go with the power set one higher tomorrow with the little bits of "good" metal that came off the car and the new steel to see if that works better.
At least I have a better understanding of why garages charge so much to fix rust holes.
I have cut off the bit I did as it looks like lumpy snowballs sitting on top of the metal and looking at the back there was very little penetration. (currently i have half a roll of tape covering where metal isn't)
Assuming the rain goes away again I will have a go with the power set one higher tomorrow with the little bits of "good" metal that came off the car and the new steel to see if that works better.
At least I have a better understanding of why garages charge so much to fix rust holes.
Understeer: when you hit the wall with the front of the car.
Oversteer: when you hit the wall with the back of the car.
Horsepower: how fast you hit the wall.
Torque: how far you take the wall with you.
Oversteer: when you hit the wall with the back of the car.
Horsepower: how fast you hit the wall.
Torque: how far you take the wall with you.
Re: How do you "test" a weld?
I think this translates to either I need more oomph or to move more slowly.
- rubbish.jpg (37.61 KiB) Viewed 1731 times
Understeer: when you hit the wall with the front of the car.
Oversteer: when you hit the wall with the back of the car.
Horsepower: how fast you hit the wall.
Torque: how far you take the wall with you.
Oversteer: when you hit the wall with the back of the car.
Horsepower: how fast you hit the wall.
Torque: how far you take the wall with you.
Re: How do you "test" a weld?
Tip: Film yourself making a weld like that one and then, after you finish the weld, play the film back to yourself and relate the consistency of your speed to the actual job. It's difficult to know how smoothly you're moving when you also have to concentrate on things like avoiding being a victim of human spontaneous combustion.
The above is standard practice in teaching environments these days and it improves students' welding no end during their early attempts.
The above is standard practice in teaching environments these days and it improves students' welding no end during their early attempts.
J
"Home is where you park it", so the saying goes. That may yet come true..
"Home is where you park it", so the saying goes. That may yet come true..
Re: How do you "test" a weld?
That's a good idea. I will find a sacrificial webcam.
Understeer: when you hit the wall with the front of the car.
Oversteer: when you hit the wall with the back of the car.
Horsepower: how fast you hit the wall.
Torque: how far you take the wall with you.
Oversteer: when you hit the wall with the back of the car.
Horsepower: how fast you hit the wall.
Torque: how far you take the wall with you.
Re: How do you "test" a weld?
What are you welding with?
Re: How do you "test" a weld?
I have a gasless Clarke 160EN
Understeer: when you hit the wall with the front of the car.
Oversteer: when you hit the wall with the back of the car.
Horsepower: how fast you hit the wall.
Torque: how far you take the wall with you.
Oversteer: when you hit the wall with the back of the car.
Horsepower: how fast you hit the wall.
Torque: how far you take the wall with you.