Establishing The Arc And Making Weld Beads; Pre-Weld Procedure; Welding Procedure - Firepower FP 125 Operating Manual & Installation Manual

4.09 Establishing the Arc and Making Weld Beads

Before attempting to weld on a finished piece of work, it is recommended that practice welds be made on a sample metal of the same
material as that of the finished piece.
The easiest MIG welding procedure for the beginner to experiment with, is the flat position. This equipment is capable of flat, vertical
and overhead positions.
For practicing MIG welding, secure some pieces of 16 or 18 gauge (0.06" 1.5mm or 0.08" 2.0mm) mild steel plate 6" x 6" (150 x
150mm). Use 0.024" (0.6mm) wire and 75% Argon / 25% CO2 shielding gas.

4.10 Pre-Weld Procedure

1. Check the OPERATION chapter of this manual for details on this equipment.
2. Set the welding voltage range switch at position 1 or 2.
3. Set the wire feed speed control to about the 2.5 setting. Readjust as necessary.
4. Adjust the gas flow rate to about 20 cubic feet per hour (15 - 20 lpm).
5. Review standard safe practice procedures in ventilation, eye and face protection, fire, compressed gas and preventative mainte-
nance. See Safety Instructions and Warnings chapter included in this manual.

4.11 Welding Procedure

1. Maintain the tip to work distance (stickout) at 5/16" to 3/8" (8 to 9mm) at all times.
2. For transverse and longitudinal nozzle angles, see section 4.07 Welding Gun Positions.
3. Hold the gun about 3/8" (9mm) from the work, lower the helmet by shaking your head and squeeze the trigger to start the wire
feeding, and establish the arc.
NOTE!
Get in the habit of shaking the helmet down, rather than using the hands. One hand must hold the gun, and
the other is often needed to hold pieces to be tacked or positioned.
4. Make a single down-hand (pulling) stringer weld bead.
5. Practice welding beads. Start at one edge and weld across the plate to the opposite edge.
NOTE!
When the equipment is properly adjusted, a rapidly cracking or hissing sound of the arc is a good indicator
of correct arc length.
6. Practice stopping in the middle of the plate, restarting into the existing weld crater and continuing the weld bead across the
plate.
NOTE!
When the gun trigger is released after welding, the electrode forms a ball on the end. To the new operator,
this may present a problem in obtaining the penetration needed at the start of the next weld. This can be
corrected by cutting the ball off with wire cutters.
Manual 0-5123
Direction of Gun Travel
90º
Leading or "Pushing"
Angle (Forehand)
Figure 4-11: Nozzle Angle, Right-Handed Operator
4-7
FIREPOWER FP 125,135,165
Art # A-05111
Trailing or "Pulling"
Angle (Backhand)
OPERATION