So I bought a cheapy invertor (previous thread http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=73301 ) and was slightly purturbed at the welds I was getting.
I didn't spend much time with it, as I had no current need to use it, but after 30 minutes playing with both mild and stainless I concluded that either I'd totally lost my touch, or that the rods were damp and ruined.
The other day I read thread where somebody mentioned that on an inverter you reverse the polarity for arc compared to tig.
Remembered this earlier and thought I'd just go check that I had actually connected the leads correctly.
Unfortunately I hadn't. I've always assumed the earth clamp is exactly that, and earth/ground/-ve clamp. Clearly with arc this isn't the case. The clamp is actually +ve!
I know the front of the welder (shown in other thread) clearly shows the earth clamp picture next to the +ve connection, but I'd just looked at the + and - pictures and connected accordingly.
So, after changing the electrode holder and earth clamp around, I now have this as a result.
Inv. Weld Test
Thats a 2.5mm (perhaps 2.1mm) rod, on 82 amps in the filleted corners created between 2 pieces of 20mm shs.
The slag just fell off, as it should, and the top of the weld is flush with the steel.
Photo isn't great, but its a nice weld
Given I've got to weld a a couple of flanges onto a cat and a cat bypass next weekend, in stainless, I'm glad its all working as it should be.
Chuffed
[Edited on 29/9/07 by the_fbi]
