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I just sold a Miller Thunderbolt 225AC to buy a Miller Maxstar 150 Inverter. I had some old rusty fence pipe that I was using to practice laying beads as I didn't have much scrap lying around. Was having a heck of a time getting the Maxstar to start an arc. The Thunderbolt would have no problem blowing threw the rust even though the OCV was lower. Both running 100-120Amps.Is this an expected result?
Reply:What brand rod and size are you using?
Reply:Yes, I'ld rather have DC. AC polarity is best left to aluminum tig. But, it does the job for general purpose work, if you learn to use it. I have a new respect for 60xx series rods. Namely 6010 & 6011. But with only an AC machine, 6010 is ruled out.For stick welding, you have got to learn what the rods can do that are available for your machine. 6010 & 6011 are fast-freeze, digging rods. 6013 & 7018 are filler rods. They can all be run on DC, but not all on AC. Have fun! City of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny
Reply:If your using 7018,i found that the inverters want to have clean metal to get a good start and bead.if its 6011 youre using i cant say what the problem is. ZebMillermatic 200Miller Dialarc 250 ac/dcAll people have the right to stupidity but some abuse the privilege
Reply:I was running 6013, couldn't get an arc to start unless it was bare clean metal. Will try 6011 and see if that cuts through better.
Reply:When it comes to all forms of welding the cleaner the better. There is no point in trying to weld through rust, just wire wheel it then have at it. Also if the metal is rusty then clean of the area where the ground/work clamp is connected to.
Reply:While on vacation, one of our members brought an inverter for us to play with. It was definitely a little weak, but it was a small inverter. Around 90amps. In another post this morning I said that a crackerbox will have less dig than a larger transformer or engine drive welder. Same with the smaller inverters I guess. I believe it's a matter of available output. A machine capable of 250amps output will do better at lower amps than a machine which is maxed out at the same amps. I don't really like the fact, as you've stated, that the metal has to be pristine in order to start an arc. I don't work with pristine metal, and if the truth be told, probably a lot of others don't either. The Bible states that metal prep for SMAW requires only that loose rust be removed from the metal. I think people fail to realize that the flux coating on the outside of the rod, as well as the composition of the rod itself, takes into account impurities in the base metal."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/ |
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