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Hello,I have wanted to learn to weld for a number of years now. I live to far from any school or classes so I decided to try it myself. I bought a Lincoln weld pak hd. Its an 88amp flux cored wire feed welder. I have set it to the recommended setting and then tried to play around with them. I can not seem to keep the weld going, and when I can keep it going its not a bead at all. So by my pictures can you tell what I am doing wrong, one picture is the front of the steel and the other is the back. Its 1/8 flat steel. I ground it down, and cleaned it with acetone and a wire brush. Any help or advice is much appreciated.Thanks. Attached Images
Reply:Are you using gas?
Reply:from the looks of it your wire speed is way to fast which is causing the wire to just bounce around on the pate
Reply:Originally Posted by akabadnewsAre you using gas?
Reply:Originally Posted by puty72from the looks of it your wire speed is way to fast which is causing the wire to just bounce around on the pate
Reply:Looks like wire speed is way to fast or way to slow. It's been awhile since I've ran flux core but use solid core almost daily.Miller trailblazer301gLincoln sa200Miller251Miller spectrum 625Victor oxy-acc2002 Chevy duramax 3500 dually 4x4
Reply:Are you moving the gun fast or slow? Look on YouTube for mig welding tips. Might helpMiller trailblazer301gLincoln sa200Miller251Miller spectrum 625Victor oxy-acc2002 Chevy duramax 3500 dually 4x4
Reply:I have seen the stuff on you tube. I have tried fast and slow. I think part of it might be stick out? Keeping it level. I'm not sure. I normally pick stuff up really fast with no problems lolSent from my PG86100 using Tapatalk 2
Reply:Stick out?? Set nozzle so the tip is inside about 1/8 inch that will keep from arcing it on metal. The cup should be insulated by a little insulator fixed inside of it, this keeps the cup from arcing while welding. The cup should be about 1/4 to 3/8 away from metal while welding. Hope this helps some.Miller trailblazer301gLincoln sa200Miller251Miller spectrum 625Victor oxy-acc2002 Chevy duramax 3500 dually 4x4
Reply:Are you using a solid or flux core wire?If you don't want to stand behind our Troops, feel free to stand in front of them.
Reply:Originally Posted by SWellsAre you using a solid or flux core wire?
Reply:Where are you located?
Reply:Go here
Reply:Originally Posted by rdop2001Where are you located?
Reply:Arc length?The tip of your touch should be within 1/4" of the work.If you can actually feel the wire pushing the torch away, the wire feed is way too fast. The wire should be melting just as fast as it feeds. You have to find a balance between the amount of heat (voltage setting) and filler (wire speed). Set the wire speed to minimum and try it. Then try again at 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 and full. See what happens at too little and too much. Then try and find Goldilocks.Another newbe problem to overcome is flinching when the arc starts. Use both hands on the torch.Be wary of The Numbers: Figures don't lie,. but liars can figure.Welders:2008 Lincoln 140 GMAW&FCAW2012 HF 165 'toy' GTAW&SMAW1970's Cobbled together O/A
Reply:I don't see how wire feed could be too fast with an 88 amp max welder on 1/8" steel but I've never used one of those.  Looking at the manual you should be at 9 on wirespeed, and "high" (2) on the voltage.Dumb question but how solid is your ground and do you have the voltage set at 2?  Are you clamped to the work piece or a table? Can you post a picture from further back showing your set up?  I suspect you don't have a good ground to the work piece.Another dumb question - what wire and size are you using?  NR-211 .035 innershield (flux core) right?
Reply:Originally Posted by RodJI don't see how wire feed could be too fast with an 88 amp max welder on 1/8" steel but I've never used one of those.  Looking at the manual you should be at 9 on wirespeed, and "high" (2) on the voltage.Dumb question but how solid is your ground and do you have the voltage set at 2?  Are you clamped to the work piece or a table? Can you post a picture from further back showing your set up?  I suspect you don't have a good ground to the work piece.Another dumb question - what wire and size are you using?  NR-211 .035 innershield (flux core) right?
Reply:Every machine is a thing unto itself and like I said I've never even touched one.  One more dumb idea, check the polarity in the machine to make sure it's set up for fluxcore because I think those can be converted to mig with a converstion kit.  Also, are you dragging or pushing?  Generally, drag for fluxcore.Is the wire "stabbing" the metal?  If so, then it does sound like it's too fast.  Would love to get my hands on it.Last, is the gun lead fully seated in the machine?  Good connection there?
Reply:Originally Posted by RodJEvery machine is a thing unto itself and like I said I've never even touched one.  One more dumb idea, check the polarity in the machine to make sure it's set up for fluxcore because I think those can be converted to mig with a converstion kit.  Also, are you dragging or pushing?  Generally, drag for fluxcore.Is the wire "stabbing" the metal?  If so, then it does sound like it's too fast.  Would love to get my hands on it.Last, is the gun lead fully seated in the machine?  Good connection there?
Reply:Originally Posted by AnsioIt's flux core only. It kind of feels like it is stabbing. Playing around with settings I have got it do just about everything lol. Ay one point the wireet lo and about a 1/2 inch would get orangeI think I had to much feed speed, and to much of a gap. I can't wait to try again tonight
Reply:I just wanted to say thanks to everyone here for the help and advice. I was able to adjust my WFS, Voltage, and my drag speed to get the weld to stay going. I was able to weld an 8 inch line without stopping. Now I just need to work on better looking welds. Thanks again guys.