Iv taken some pictures of my first full welds on my chassis and just wanted to make sure they were ok.
Sorry pics arnt as clear as i wanted.
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I'd have done my practicing on some offcuts myself - get all the settings right on them before attacking your actual chassis.
Sorry, but a bit more practice required. Try several welds on scrap section steel, then cut them up with a hacksaw and check the penetration. You can also try a destructive test with a vice and a large piece of larger tube.
quote:
Originally posted by Paul TigerB6
I'd have done my practicing on some offcuts myself - get all the settings right on them before attacking your actual chassis.
Looks a tad cold and have you degreased well enough
see http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/tutorial.htm
2 much wire feed.
adam
Best thing to do is mock some joints up with scrap, weld them and then try to break them apart, the metal should break or bend not the weld, if the
weld breaks it is not strong enough and an equivallent weld on you chassis would be a weak point.
From your pics I cant see any grinder marks to clean the metal, before welding it needs to be clean and bright, not the blackened finish from the
stockholder, that has an insulating effect and interrupts the arc.
Also, as you progress the weld, vary the tip side to side slightly to make sure you are arcing against both pieces of metal, your welds do look a a
bit biased to one piece, you need to be sure the arc is biting the full thickness of the metal not just sticking metal to the surface, get close in
and look what the pool of metal is doing, you need to see a pool which is wider than the gap you are welding ensuring both peices are being melted.
At the ends of the box, grind the walls to 45 degrees, that way you are sure you're welding right through.
Dont skimp on the practice, remember, you are building a very fast car, and the stresses on the chassis are considerable, the finished product is only
as good as the foundation...
Regards.
Pete.
quote:
Originally posted by speedyxjsI did. They looked ok on the scrap bits. I have only done a few tubes, so if these are too s**t i can grind them down and start again.
[Edited on 29-12-07 by speedyxjs]
pump up the power and dont touch the wire speed the angle of the torch is also inportant push the wield dont pull it.
clean that mess up with a grinder.it will fail .
i have done a number of college courses over the years it cost around £200 for a night course that is one night a week for a year .
Thanks for the replys. Some good advice. Back to the garage 
Have you got two hands on the torch? A 9 lens helps no end as well.
You are probably not getting enough penetration 
quote:
Originally posted by TGR-ECOSSE
You are probably not getting enough penetration
try using the Macro function (sometimes depicted by a flower) on the camera so it doesn't focus on the floor
What material are you using ?
By the photos it looks to be box section as opposed to ERW square tube ??
If you are using box section, the ends of the tubes will need a little prep.
The weld looks as if it needs more current/less wire speed.
The metal itself looks clean enough. Just a quick wipe with thinners/spirit to remove any oil should be enough prep.
As others have said. A little more practise might help.
Dont forget to do plenty of destruction testing.
Ronnie 
quote:
Originally posted by Mr Whippy
try using the Macro function (sometimes depicted by a flower) on the camera so it doesn't focus on the floor