Lincoln Electric IM546 manual Common Metals, Machine SET UP for the SELF-SHIELDED Fcaw Process

LEARNING TO WELD B-9

2.Can I afford the extra expense, space, and lack of portability required for gas cylinders and gas sup- ply?

3.Do I require clean, finished-looking welds?

If you have answered yes to all the above questions GMAW may be the process for you. If you have answered no to any of the above questions, then you should consider using the FCAW process.

For FCAW (Innershield) Process

1.Do I want simplicity and portability?

2.Will welding be performed outdoors or under windy conditions?

3.Do I require good all position welding capability?

4.Will most welding be performed on 16 gauge and heavier, somewhat rusty or dirty materials?

5.Weld must be cleaned prior to painting.

COMMON METALS

Most metals found around the farm, small shop or home are low carbon steel, sometimes referred to as mild steel. Typical items made with this type of steel include most sheet metal, plate, pipe and rolled shapes such as channels and angle irons. This type of steel can usually be easily welded without special pre- cautions. Some steels, however, contain higher car- bon levels or other alloys and are more difficult to weld. Basically, if a magnet sticks to the metal and you can easily cut the metal with a file, chances are good that the metal is mild steel and that you will be able to weld the material. In addition, aluminum and stainless steel can be welded using the K664-1 Aluminum Welding Kit. For further information on iden- tifying various types of steels and other metals, and for proper procedures for welding them, we again sug- gest you purchase a copy of “New Lessons in Arc Welding”.

Regardless of the type of metal being welded, in order to get a quality weld, it is important that the metal is free of oil, paint, rust or other contaminants.

MACHINE SET UP FOR THE SELF-SHIELDED FCAW PROCESS

1.See PROCESS GUIDELINES in the OPERATION section for selection of welding wire and shielding gas, and for range of metal thicknesses that can be welded.

2.See the Application Guide on the inside of wire feed section door for information on setting the controls.

3.Set the “Voltage” and “Wire Speed” controls to the settings suggested on the Application Guide for the welding wire and base metal thickness being used. The voltage control is marked “V” and the wire feed speed is marked ʻʼolo.ʼʼ

4.Check that the polarity is correct for the welding wire being used. Set the polarity for DC(–) when welding with NR-211-MP Innershield electrode. See Work Cable Installation in the INSTALLATION section for instructions on changing polarity.

5.When using Innershield electrode, the gasless noz- zle may be used instead of a gas nozzle to improve visibility of the arc.

6.Connect work clamp to metal to be welded. Work clamp must make good electrical contact to the work piece. The work piece must also be grounded as stated in the “Arc Welding Safety Precautions” at the beginning of this manual.

WELDING TECHNIQUES FOR THE SELF- SHIELDED FCAW PROCESS

Four simple manipulations are of prime importance when welding. With complete mastery of the four, welding will be easy. They are as follows:

1.The Correct Welding Position

Figure B.11 illustrates the correct welding position for right handed people. (For left handed people, it is the opposite.)

Hold the gun (of the gun and cable assembly) in your right hand and hold the shield with your left hand. (Left handers simply do the opposite.)

When using the FCAW Process, weld from left to right (if you are right handed). This enables you to clearly see what you are doing. (Left handers do the opposite.) Tilt the gun toward the direction of travel holding the electrode at an angle as shown in Figure B.11.

WELD-PAK 100