Why does it spit so much?

admin

I've not been welding regularly but had to pickup the machine again this weekend - I have a Hobart Handler 180 (220V).   Today I was welding some 1/2 inch thick steel and I had it on the highest setting.   Good heat but so much spatter all over - why does it spit around so much - was the wirespeed too fast or what does it generally indicate?THx -
Reply:co2?.... straight co2 is hotter and spatters more than argon/co2 or a trimix. is your polarity correct?that could do it to...of course, a good clean ground at all times will keep your settings meaningful.
Reply:Fluxcore or solid wire1/2" would really be pushing this welderThe main thing is not to panic or get excited Bobcat 250, X-Treme 12VS,  MM211Meltabo, Milwaukee,Porter Cable,Dewalt,MakitaVictor O/A, Ingersoll-RandEvolution Rage2, 40 amp PlasmaLincoln 225 AC/DC
Reply:Originally Posted by Carbide  Today I was welding some 1/2 inch thick steel THx -
Reply:Good thread, I too am a weekend metal sticker togetherer. Subscribed.Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkQualified & experienced at welding scrap metal
Reply:Using Solid wire with gas.  I believe this gas bottle has 50/50 mix of Argon and CO2.  This is the first time I've welded something this heavy.  In addition to 1/2 inch plate, there are other pieces that are 1/4 or so, but I get spatter on all of them no matter what thickness of metal I work with.I do need to get a real clamp for my grounding wire, not just this alligator clip I've got.Last edited by Carbide; 12-29-2013 at 09:14 AM.
Reply:Some pics of the actual problem would help. What wire are you using?Try this for setting up issues.http://www.millerwelds.com/resources...elding-basics/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:Nothing wrong with your ground clamp. Is your polarity set correct for solid wire? Are you using a constant and correct wire stickout distance?Is your gas line pinched or restricted anywhere thus limiting gas flow?Start troubleshooting the easy stuff first.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:is youre machine gettin the 220?maybe one leg is dead/or it's wired wrong..is that machine able to run on 110 or 220?could be the in put is wrong.  that and everything else that me and snoeproe said,your wire diameter?go thin..heavy wire like 035 bog those machines down,stick with 030 on the flux and 023 on the solid.
Reply:Also, make sure your material is clean. Grind it, not just wire brush it."Where's Stick man????????" - 7A749"SHHHHHH!! I sent him over to snag that MIC-4 while tbone wasn't looking!" - duaneb55"I have bought a few of Tbone's things unlike Stick-Man who helps himself" - TozziWelding"Stick-man"
Reply:You might want to double-check your gas mixture. 50/50 mix is rare and not commonly available.It may be that your wire speed is too high for the voltage setting. For thick metal with that welder, try setting the voltage to the highest tap and then dial in your wire speed for the best arc. If your wire speed is set at max, it will be too high, especially for .035 wire.JohnA few weldersA lot of hammersA whole lot of C-clamps
Reply:i agree, dial back the wire speed and see how that does.Fireman BillHH 210 MVPMM 211 Spoolmate 100Lotas LTP5000D PlasmaOxy/Accet (Victor)Wards AC/DC buzz box30 ton old hyd pressA few brand name toolsA bunch of cheap toolsA wife to worry me and4 dogs to supervise me
Reply:http://www.hobartwelders.com/om/0900/o925b_hob.pdfI would suggest re-reading the manual- or at least look at the settings chart- which doesn't even have 1/2" on it.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 a somewhat inexperience wire welder but I've found that when I get excessive spatter it is mainly due to "dirty" material; either paint or scale not ground off far enough.  Once I clean and prep properly the welds are very clean as well.  I also notice some spatter when I have the ground clamp too far a way from the work (on long pieces).  I'm running my MillerMatic 211 on 110v however and I am welding only up to about 1/8 - 1/4" material so if I weld thicker material I use multiple passes."All of this and some of that's the only way to skin the cat!"
Reply:If using thin wire you're getting into globular tranfer. For 180 amp machine set to max you need 1mm (0.40) wire and 25/75 mix to still stay in short-circuit mode.