amperage

[clifford544]

if it's 1 amp per .001 than .250 metal thickness=250 amps does this apply to all form of welding or would that be the amperage required to achieve 100% penetration(burn through) on a flat piece of metal

[davedarragh]

Hold On To That Electrode!

cliff: Take the diameter of the ELECTRODE (1/8") and the decimal (.125) would be amps , eg 125 amps. I think your equation was for 1/4" ELECTRODE (.250 = 250 amps).

250 amps would melt 1/4" thick steel into an ingot.

SMAW amperages are based on electrode size.

A 1/8" 6010/6011 may run best at 90-100 amps.

By decimalizing (is that a word?) the electrode size, gives you a "ballpark" to start with. Adjustments need to be made based on joint design, position, etc.

Whew, you had me scared there for a minute!

Dave

[clifford544]

amperage

i see what about mig

[davedarragh]

Mig?

Now you're going to make me think..........

Actually, you'll be figuring VOLTAGE more than AMPERAGE when wire welding.

Amperage is determined by WFS (Wire Feed Speed), based on IPM (Inches Per Minute).

If you don't have any "numbers" on your machine, you can calculate WFS by running out wire and counting to "6" (1001, 1002, 1003.......1006) measure the wire, multiply by 10, and that's how many IPM you would have.

When TIG welding, your formula can be used to figure amperages. For example, a 1/8" thick fillet weld can be anywhere from 100-140 amps.

Hope this didn't confuse you.

Dave

[clifford544]

amperage

nope thank you

[Rig Hand]

if it's 1 amp per .001 than .250 metal thickness=250 amps does this apply to all form of welding or would that be the amperage required to achieve 100% penetration(burn through) on a flat piece of metal

This Formula is for single pass welds with full penetration and is basically useless on thicker stuff. Sch. 40 pipe .375'' but you wouldn't weld at 375 amps. Kind of like when they say a MM210 only weld 3/8'' plate(not sure if thats true but you get the idea). The mm210 could weld 2'' plate with multiple passes, the proper joint design, and the use of a outershield wire.

I hadn't heard of Dave's formula but it works well. A good starting point for flat positions. Might lower the amps a little for out of position welds.

I don't know about the mig.

[Rig Hand]

You guys type to FAST.

[davedarragh]

"Old School"

This Formula is for single pass welds with full penetration and is basically useless on thicker stuff. Sch. 40 pipe .375'' but you wouldn't weld at 375 amps. Kind of like when they say a MM210 only weld 3/8'' plate(not sure if thats true but you get the idea). The mm210 could weld 2'' plate with multiple passes, the proper joint design, and the use of a outershield wire.

I hadn't heard of Dave's formula but it works well. A good starting point for flat positions. Might lower the amps a little for out of position welds.

I don't know about the mig.

RigHand: Yeah, that's a real "old school" method, more on the high end max than anything else. I'm like you. The lower end works best for OP welds. Take .250 thin wall pipe, with a 1/8" 6010 root and hot pass @ 90-100 followed by a 3/32" 7018 fill and cap at the same amperage.

With SMAW, one can do a lot with 90-130 amps, based on joint design, prep, and rod selection.

As with anyting, just "starting, or ending" points.

Dave

[Machinist]

You guys type to FAST.

You Think that's bad...Youall plum lost this farm boy welder

[davedarragh]

"Modesty?"

You Think that's bad...Youall plum lost this farm boy welder

Don't be so modest, from the looks of your inventory, you're more than just a ""farm boy" welder.

Dave

[Rig Hand]

You Think that's bad...Youall plum lost this farm boy welder

Machinist how do you like the Invertec V305?

[remade]

so here's my deal, and i hope you guys will work with me and forgive some of my issues, i have been a welder for about 2 years but haven't welded in over a year. I'm trying to get as much refreshing information as i can before i try getting a job welding so that i can get the job.

[Machinist]

Machinist how do you like the Invertec V305?

It's a great machine i have sticked and run a lot of different wires on it..but i love the Miller XMT 304...Both are great machines.

[Machinist]

Don't be so modest, from the looks of your inventory, you're more than just a ""farm boy" welder.

Dave

Now take it easy on me.Gotta have a little fun when resting not burning a stick.

[Ls2cam]

help me????

I copied from other post:

http://www.millerwelds.com/resources/communities/mboard/showthread.php?24658-A-machines-rated-metal-thickness-and-penetration...how-do-they-figure

http://www.millerwelds.com/resources...welding-basics here:
1. Material thickness determines amperage. As a guideline, each 0.001 inch of material thickness requires 1 amp: 0.125 in. = 125 amps. For example: I have 3/16" (0.1875) thick metal flat.
0.001 in.of material thickness x 0.1875= 0.0001875
or
0.125 in per amp x 0.1875= 0.0234 amps

2. Select proper wire size, according to amperage. Since you don't want to change wire, select one for your most commonly used thicknesses.
* 30-130 A: .023-in.
* 40-145 A: 0.030 in.
* 50-180 A: 0.035 in. -I use 0.035 wire in my MM252 right now.
* 75-250 A: 0.045 in.
3. Set the voltage. Voltage determines height and width of bead. If no chart, manual or specifications are available for setting the correct voltage, you can try this: while one person welds on scrap metal, an assistant turns down the voltage until the arc starts stubbing into the work piece. Then, start welding again and have an assistant increase the voltage until the arc becomes unstable and sloppy. A voltage midway between these two points provides a good starting point.
There is a relationship between arc voltage and arc length. A short arc decreases voltage and yields a narrow, "ropey" bead. A longer arc (more voltage) produces a flatter, wider bead. Too much arc length produces a very flat bead and a possibility of an undercut.
4. Set the wire feed speed. Wire speed controls amperage, as well as the amount of weld penetration. A speed that's too high can lead to burn-through. If a manual or weld specification sheet is not available, use the multipliers in the following chart to find a good starting point for wire feed speed. For example, for 0.030-in. wire, multiply by 2 in. per amp to find the wire feed speed in inches per minute (IPM).

0.125 in per amp x 0.1875= 0.0234 amps

1.6 in./amp X 0.0234=0.03744 IPM
Is this makes sense?
I am bigCONFUSED on amperage.