Slag

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I'm noticing, after moving to C25 today, that I'm still leaving very little slag on the weld or, in the alternative, it's not coming off like it didn't come off or wasn't there with flux-core.  I don't get those perfect dime welds I see folks here get with MIG and mine are certainly not as pretty as theirs but I'm practicing on .058 (.060), 16ga steel "purchases" I think someone called them here at WOR2 so I can see the bead after I lay it down on top and, by turning the pair over, I can see the discoloration/deformation on the other side so I know (think, believe) that the weld is patent with good penetration but again, there's very little slag if any to removed. Any insight?
Reply:You don't get slag with mig (solid wire and argon). What you are seeing isn't slag, its the impurity's from the metal cooking out. Clean the metal better before welding.www.georgesplasmacuttershop.comPlasma Cutter and Welder Sales and Repairs--Ebay storeTec.Mo. Dealer Consumables for the PT and IPT torch's
Reply:What you're seeing is the silicon & other deoxidizers that are present in the welding wire, that help remove impurities in the weld. It's perfectly normal, you'll see that regardless of how well you clean the metal beforehand because it's in the MIG wire already.Give me fuel, give me fire, give me that which I desire.
Reply:Ah, thanks guys. Looks like things are looking up for my welding. I also noticed there's a threshold for weld pitting if there's not enough gas flowing. I'm  right around 15-17. Does that sound about right for C25?
Reply:That's a good to conservative gas use in a shop with an open bay door, most use 20-25cfh. if you use er70s-2 on clean metal it will be less slag than 70s-6 on slightly dirty steel.SqWave 200Millermatic 190Airco 200 ACHypertherm PM45Boice-Crane Band SawVictor O/A
Reply:Originally Posted by jlamesAh, thanks guys. Looks like things are looking up for my welding. I also noticed there's a threshold for weld pitting if there's not enough gas flowing. I'm  right around 15-17. Does that sound about right for C25?
Reply:I removed this .pdf file because after fully reading it, I realized it was an ad for some company. I hate that! Sorry all.Last edited by jlames; 08-18-2013 at 08:56 PM.
Reply:Most of the time the flow rate is listed with your settings under the door.As stated, 20cfm to 30cfm is common.Jody at weldingtipsandtricks.com has excellent videos showing mig technique.Or welding-tv.com - click on watch stuff menu and mig has it's own sectionHis videos will save you a lot of time Dave J.Edit: oh, and don't worry about "dimes" with mig.  It's just a look people go for - does not really mean it's a great weld.  A passing fad in my opinion.Last edited by MinnesotaDave; 08-18-2013 at 10:07 PM.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Tips and tricks is wonderful and thank you. Much there is over my head but much has proven invaluable. And thank you also for the suggstions; things I'd never know but for folks like you and this forum.
Reply:Tackit- I keep thinking about the clean nozzle recommendation. I never would have thought of that even though I just finished reading about turbulence and restrictions. Thanks so much for giving me one of those, "Why didn't I think of that?!?!" moments.
Reply:Originally Posted by jlamesTackit- I keep thinking about the clean nozzle recommendation
Reply:A good mig weld will not look like a stack of dimes, it will look as if it has flowed in nice a fully along the sides of the bead (bead won't look like it has a crease along the bottom), spatter should be minimal but will never go away fully with mig. That stack of dimes look comes from either using a pulsed mig setup or by manually pulsing (basically making a series of stacked tack welds) which creates cold welds and poor fusion.
Reply:Thank you all very much. Glad I was concentrating on the right thing, funcionality, having given up on the appearance aspect.
Reply:Originally Posted by ironmangqA good mig weld will not look like a stack of dimes, it will look as if it has flowed in nice a fully along the sides of the bead (bead won't look like it has a crease along the bottom), spatter should be minimal but will never go away fully with mig. That stack of dimes look comes from either using a pulsed mig setup or by manually pulsing (basically making a series of stacked tack welds) which creates cold welds and poor fusion.
Reply:Good fit up a good root and wetting both edges with no undercut is what you need to concentrate on while you learn ...the stack of dimes stuff comes afterBacked my CATMA over your CARMA oops clusmy me  What would SATAN do ?? Miller Trailblazer 302 AirPakMiller Digital Elite  Optrel Welding HatArcair K4000Suitcase 12RC / 12 VSHypertherm PM-45Rage 3 sawRusty old Truck
Reply:http://www.hobartwelders.com/weldtal...187-CO%B2-weldClick on dan's pics, then go grab a cold one to console yer spirits Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:I'm rather finding gas welding much easier than FC; definitely cleaner. Spent the day working on beads and all sorts of joints with C25 and noticed that I had to move up on power to get the same penetration. Just the fact that the fumes and the soot and smoke are gone... and the fact that it's fun... justifies finding the hunt for new settings. I don't know which is recommended to learn first but just the fact that I understood so many of the fundamentals in gas with all your folks help has made the transition easier to understand and execute.
Reply:You should have come out and run the TB with the 12Rc hooked up it was really fun when i hooked it up to the tri mix and put it in spray modeBacked my CATMA over your CARMA oops clusmy me  What would SATAN do ?? Miller Trailblazer 302 AirPakMiller Digital Elite  Optrel Welding HatArcair K4000Suitcase 12RC / 12 VSHypertherm PM-45Rage 3 sawRusty old Truck
Reply:Now I know, Al. Remember, I was just finding my rear end back then. Whoda known I'd like this so much. Heard you had a bang-up time at Terry's the other day!
Reply:Can't say i did anything good but i watched terry run that 700 and he does have great adaptive technique first running forehand then backhand he showed me how to get the root weld right on that 1" aluminum tee joint i set up but it takes time to learn that and i didn't have a lot oTerry is great and 700 is great and i suck and i took no pics of the mess i made and it was nice of him as it was to give me the Sil Bronze tig rod and the spool of wire Then let me run that machine was a great time...i have never done 1' aluminum..never seen a 700 miller dynasty except in photos and using that 400 amp torch is not like using a 17 torch But i never turn down an opportunity to run a machine like thatyou never know if you will get that chance againLearning something new is greatTeaching somebody something new is even a greater thingBacked my CATMA over your CARMA oops clusmy me  What would SATAN do ?? Miller Trailblazer 302 AirPakMiller Digital Elite  Optrel Welding HatArcair K4000Suitcase 12RC / 12 VSHypertherm PM-45Rage 3 sawRusty old Truck
Reply:I think that's why all of us who got together at these Weld-o-Ramas get along so well. We all believe that it's all about the teaching; the joy of passing on our experience and knowledge to others. I don't know many people who are more committed to that philosophy than Terry. Glad you got to spend some time down there. I'm stopping by there today so I'll say "Hi" for you.Last edited by jlames; 08-20-2013 at 11:13 AM.
Reply:When I switched from fluxcore to C25, it was like Jekyll & Hyde with my little HH140.  Went from blowing holes in 16ga to needing to turn it up!  This is on 1.5"x16ga tube, .030 L-56 wire, V=2, speed=30.  Used a little scrap of .030 wire to "gap" the pieces. In Phoenix, it's not so windy, and I weld outside in a semi-sheltered corner. I can usually turn the gas flow DOWN to 12-15cfh and still get welds like this.  Cheep!  Cheep!  Wire brush cup wheel on the 4.5" grinder makes them real shiny! Attached ImagesLast edited by Fabn4Fun; 08-24-2013 at 10:02 PM.
Reply:Originally Posted by ironmangqA good mig weld will not look like a stack of dimes, it will look as if it has flowed in nice a fully along the sides of the bead (bead won't look like it has a crease along the bottom), spatter should be minimal but will never go away fully with mig. That stack of dimes look comes from either using a pulsed mig setup or by manually pulsing (basically making a series of stacked tack welds) which creates cold welds and poor fusion.