First time running gmaw

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I recently bought a MM210.  I've used plenty of stick and a fair bit of tig, but this is the first I've ever owned or used a mig machine.  Pics are of a butt weld on 4 inch x 1/4 inch angle iron.  I was a little surprised at the lack of penetration.  I fitted the two pieces touching together (later I read on here about leaving a gap).  I assumed I could just crank up the heat and get the penetration.  The pics were done with 0.035 ER70S-6, pull, argon+co2 75/25.  I don't remember the voltage and speed in the pics, but I've lots of welding on other scrap with a whole range of settings and I can't get good penetration.  Even on the test pieces that seemed to be run hot (two voltage settings above the recommented setting on the chart inside the door) a destructive test showed the weld going little more than 1/16 into the joint.  It seems like I'm flowing weld over the joint but not really melting must of the base material.  Am I going something wrong, or just expecting too much?BacksideDynasty200DX w/coolmate1MM210MM VintageESAB miniarc161ltsLincoln AC225Victor O/A, Smith AW1ACutmaster 81IR 2475N7.5FPRage3Jancy USA1019" SBAEAD-200LE
Reply:You've got to clean that material.  With an ER70S-6 you won't get any penetration running over rust or millscale etc.
Reply:try beveling both peices with a bigger root opening maybe 3/32 ,  flatten the bevel so its not sharp , run your wire stick out long enough  to keep your weld from burning through it , then cap it . thats how we did it in school . the root pass first is the most important  then cap it with a pretty weld.
Reply:Clean the plate, bevel or space them apart and CRANK it up!  David Real world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:thats what i said .....
Reply:Originally Posted by rgunn1You've got to clean that material.  With an ER70S-6 you won't get any penetration running over rust or millscale etc.
Reply:Originally Posted by jotramthats not true
Reply:I used a sanding disk and die grinder for some of the pieces I did.  I didn't notice a significant difference between shiny clean and dirty.  The photos make it look a lot dirtier that it really is.Dynasty200DX w/coolmate1MM210MM VintageESAB miniarc161ltsLincoln AC225Victor O/A, Smith AW1ACutmaster 81IR 2475N7.5FPRage3Jancy USA1019" SBAEAD-200LE
Reply:ER 70-S6 is loaded with deoxidizers for the express purpose of welding on rusty and scaly stuff with out prep.  Also depends upon gas mix.Now -S3 different story.Esab Migmaster 250Lincoln SA 200Lincoln Ranger 8Smith Oxy Fuel setupEverlast PowerPlasma 80Everlast Power iMIG 160Everlast Power iMIG 205 Everlast Power iMIG 140EEverlast PowerARC 300Everlast PowerARC 140STEverlast PowerTIG 255EXT
Reply:Originally Posted by lugweldER 70-S6 is loaded with deoxidizers for the express purpose of welding on rusty and scaly stuff with out prep.  Also depends upon gas mix.Now -S3 different story.
Reply:Originally Posted by rgunn1.....I wouldn't be too quick to blame any lack of penetration on the machine or process.
Reply:Well its "relative"...good pointIn GMAW it helps to point the electrode (wire) directly into the two pieces to be fused.Beveling helps a lot.  Also using slight pauses when weaving helps penetration; however, if you travel too slow all your doing is dumping wire on top of itself, but too fast and it doesnt allow the heat needed.  So find the sweet spot for travel speed. weld it like you own it
Reply:look for the key hole.....
Reply:Originally Posted by AndyA...All I have left are little 1 inch pieces!
Reply:To paraphrase welderwomn  "you learn to be a good grinder to learn to be a good weldor" or some thing like that.David Real world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Yup, when I first was starting i spent most of my time grinding off what I put on!At least I don't have to grind as much as I used to...Miller 140 w A/SHF Flux Core WelderDewalt Chop SawSmith O/A TorchHarley Electra Glide Classic
Reply:Originally Posted by FormerTankSargeYup, when I first was starting i spent most of my time grinding off what I put on!At least I don't have to grind as much as I used to...
Reply:Well I didn't get to do much for practice today.  Yes, I was off work, but my wife thinks that means I'll be free to work on whatever she wants.  I did get to try one piece of 3/16ths.  I used a nickel as a shim to get a gap then tacked the pieces.  The first 1/4 inch of the weld didn't fully penetrate.  Most of the weld had ok penetration.  At the end of the weld I blew a pencil sized hole.  I'm using small scrap pieces (1 to 2 inch in size). There's nothing to soak the heat away (cold start, hot ending).Dynasty200DX w/coolmate1MM210MM VintageESAB miniarc161ltsLincoln AC225Victor O/A, Smith AW1ACutmaster 81IR 2475N7.5FPRage3Jancy USA1019" SBAEAD-200LE
Reply:Originally Posted by AndyAWell I didn't get to do much for practice today.  Yes, I was off work, but my wife thinks that means I'll be free to work on whatever she wants.  I did get to try one piece of 3/16ths.  I used a nickel as a shim to get a gap then tacked the pieces.  The first 1/4 inch of the weld didn't fully penetrate.  Most of the weld had ok penetration.  At the end of the weld I blew a pencil sized hole.  I'm using small scrap pieces (1 to 2 inch in size). There's nothing to soak the heat away (cold start, hot ending).
Reply:I don't see how you can get a good weld without a bevel, or wider spacing."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:As kmasob said slow down, that will help your penetration a lot.Miller Thunderbolt 225Millermatic 130 XPLincoln HD 100 Forney C-5bt Arc welderPlasma Cutter Gianteach Cut40ACent Machinery Bandsaw Cent Machinery 16Speed Drill PressChicago Electric 130amp tig/90 ArcHobart 190 Mig spoolgun ready
Reply:Originally Posted by AndyAWell I didn't get to do much for practice today.  Yes, I was off work, but my wife thinks that means I'll be free to work on whatever she wants.  I did get to try one piece of 3/16ths.  I used a nickel as a shim to get a gap then tacked the pieces.  The first 1/4 inch of the weld didn't fully penetrate.  Most of the weld had ok penetration.  At the end of the weld I blew a pencil sized hole.  I'm using small scrap pieces (1 to 2 inch in size). There's nothing to soak the heat away (cold start, hot ending).
Reply:Originally Posted by AndyAWell I didn't get to do much for practice today.  Yes, I was off work, but my wife thinks that means I'll be free to work on whatever she wants.  I did get to try one piece of 3/16ths.  I used a nickel as a shim to get a gap then tacked the pieces.  The first 1/4 inch of the weld didn't fully penetrate.  Most of the weld had ok penetration.  At the end of the weld I blew a pencil sized hole.  I'm using small scrap pieces (1 to 2 inch in size). There's nothing to soak the heat away (cold start, hot ending).
Reply:I can tell that you know how to stick weld by looking at your first mig weld! Looks good, try the bevel. Post more pics
Reply:pushing the gun will give more penetration and better gas coveragehttp://www.aloumac.ca/Pushing will give LESS penetration.  Pulling or DRAG will give deeper penetration.  Look at the lincoln or miller websites.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Originally Posted by David RPushing will give LESS penetration.  Pulling or DRAG will give deeper penetration.  Look at the lincoln or miller websites.David
Reply:Originally Posted by AndyA I did get to try one piece of 3/16ths. That is thick enough to add a bevel. I used a nickel as a shim to get a gap then tacked the pieces. OK, 1/16th of an inch gap, with a bevel on top, you should easily be able to get 100% penetration, but crank that machine up! The first 1/4 inch of the weld didn't fully penetrate. Mig tends to cold start, try starting the arc in from the edge a little to get the bead burning in as you back track to the leading edge of the joint, then run the bead. It works for me! Most of the weld had ok penetration.  At the end of the weld I blew a pencil sized hole. It's all about the heat!  I'm using small scrap pieces (1 to 2 inch in size). There's nothing to soak the heat away (cold start, hot ending).
Reply:Originally Posted by Matthewpushing the gun will give more penetration and better gas coverage
Reply:Originally Posted by lewray   It sure does
Reply:go take a welding class...
Reply:Originally Posted by lewray   It sure does