mig welding?

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i have tried to mig weld a few times and the weld don't look anything like what they should. They are like little mounds but not connented, i was wondering how to fix this an if anyone could post coorect beads and what your settings were. Thanks. I am using a snap-on welder and argon.
Reply:Picts? Info please on settings so we can help.
Reply:ASSuming you are welding steel, you want an argon mix with CO2 or straight CO2, but not straight argon.Make sure your polarity is DCEP, electrode positive.What is the output rating of your machine and how thick is the material you are wanting to weld?
Reply:Not enough Info. Tell us what machine you have, what setting you are using and make sure you are using the right gas like MAC mentioned above. Pictures also can help a lot. After you give us this information, I am sure you will get lots of help here and be welding on no time.Miller DVI2Lincoln Precision Tig 225Thermodynamics Cutmaster 38Everything else needed.
Reply:here is some updates. I don't know the size of metal but i know its a snap on ya205 mig welder. Here are some welds and two arc beads any comments would be great thanks
Reply:here are the pics. Attached Images
Reply:the metal is about 2/16 thick. any feed back is appriciated, i won't get offended for negative feed back like some people do. Thanks again
Reply:I would turn the power up a bit.  It loooks like it is too low to me.The Welder Shop has great deals and reviews on Hobart, Miller and Lincoln Welders.
Reply:Its a good start, see how consistent you can make the beads.  I think the welder has settings inside the door.  Try those using for the size of plate and size of wire with C/25.MORE picsDavid Real world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Thanks for the comments, i was also wondering what your appionions were about that arc bead thanks.
Reply:I didn't see anyone suggest cleaning beforehand. Shiny metal welds and "wets out" best.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:i am a beginner teaching myself,, the one thing i have learned is that when using a mig machine,,, the speed control is very crucial!!!  those blobs look like some of my early attempts with the speed too fast!!  maybe i'm wrong, but i AM cute!!Last edited by fuzzykjun; 04-02-2008 at 11:04 PM.Reason: word missing
Reply:The metal had been cleaned, so that it was shiny. I was also just thinking what should the argon be set on? I have it between 10 and 15 cfh, and i think i am almost out of argon, due to the fact that my first stage reg. dosen't move. I was wanderin' if this would affect the welds, thanks.
Reply:pure argon will work, but it will not penetrate lix a dual or tri mix of gases will.  If your bottle is empty (which it sounds like it is) take it back and ask for c-25.  Its 75 percent argon (which will help your puddle flow nicely) and 25 percent Carbon dioxide (which will help your burn in)- i run between 20 and 30 cfh, depending on conditions.im not too familiar with snap on machines, but see if there are recomendations for 1/8" material, start there.  Try changing ONE KNOB at a time and see how it affects the weld, good or bad.  It will help familiarize yourself with the machine and how changing settings will affect the weld.As far as your regulator goes, if the high pressure side is not reading (assuming its not broken) then your bottle is nearly empty.  It takes some pressure in the bottle to make the regulator work, so even if the bottle has pressure, it may not be enough.You will know when you are not getting gas flow, if you pull the trigger without touching the base metal, you should hear gas flowing.  If you dont have gas coverage it will be very difficult to form a weld puddle and if you do, it will have lots of tiny holes in it.Listen for the sound of sizzling bacon, thats what you wanna hear.oh, stick welds looks good, slow down a little bit and let that puddle form a little wider.hope that helps
Reply:Originally Posted by mark123i have tried to mig weld a few times and the weld don't look anything like what they should. They are like little mounds but not connented, i was wondering how to fix this an if anyone could post coorect beads and what your settings were. Thanks. I am using a snap-on welder and argon.
Reply:thanks for the help. I looked and it recamended a bigger wire, so i will swap it out and try and post pics. thanks again for all the help.
Reply:found some new wire laying around .030 and i had a quetion about it, it has some rust on like the first 3-4 loops and i was wondering if that would work or if i should just cut it off? I think just cut it, because it seems like it would be just like welding rusty wire. any import would be great? thanks again and sorry for the long post/rant  that for reading it.
Reply:either unravel that section of wire or let it run through the gun until you get some clean wire.I have a roll of some oxidized wire in one of my millermatic's, it runs okay, but not nearly as smooth as the new roll i just put it my other welder
Reply:See next post.Last edited by Weldordie; 04-04-2008 at 05:29 AM.
Reply:Hey, mark123,I'm still curious about where you have the polarity set.  Mac702 asked earlier, but you have not answered, yet.  How about helping us out, here?  Thanks.Also, suggest you slow your wire speed way down, until you get the feel of maintaining the arc.  It doesn't take long to learn, then you can speed up.
Reply:I checked the welder a minute ago and i don't see a switch to change the polarity. I read on the welder that it has a 20% duty cycle. That seems kind of low to me but i don't. I am going to change to change the wire from .023 to .030 as soon i figure out how. thanks
Reply:Do you own the manual?  You might be able to download a copy from the Internet.In many small MIGs like that, there is a place to swap the wires inside the wire spool cabinet.  Just trace the wires with your fingers to find where they go; it's usually to a place where you can swap them.  Then, verify that your drive assembly is landed on the positive.20% duty cycle is standard for low-end MIGs.
Reply:here are some new beads. they are with .023 wire 9 heat 6 spped thansk for all the help. Attached Images
Reply:Originally Posted by mark123here are some new beads. they are with .023 wire 9 heat 6 spped thansk for all the help.
Reply:I turned the heat all the way up oon the new ones. are they any good or still junk? Thanksi have a question, why do they send chippin hammers with mig welders? thanks
Reply:Originally Posted by mark123I turned the heat all the way up oon the new ones. are they any good or still junk? Thanks
Reply:Originally Posted by mark123i have a question, why do they send chippin hammers with mig welders? thanks
Reply:You can also use it to peen cast iron repairs...
Reply:Much BETTER.    Now make some in nice straight lines.  Even across the bead.Huge improvement.  use the same settings for next time.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Looks like there getting better.Are you trying to weld freehand? I try to find somewhere I can rest an elbow to help keep the gun steady.The more comfortable you are the better your welds will be,unless you get to be a pro,those guys can weld anywhere.Cyclenorthman
Reply:Looks like you are going in the right direction now. Now that you are seeing some results worth looking at, play around with the wire speed and maybe even drop the heat setting one step and see what you can do. Sometimes when I was learning and having some trouble, I used to pull the welder beside me and start welding. I would adjust the wire speed while welding until I got the results I was looking for.Miller DVI2Lincoln Precision Tig 225Thermodynamics Cutmaster 38Everything else needed.
Reply:are there any motions to make well mig welding like there is arc or just go in a straight line? Thanks
Reply:Their are many different methods. One that I found to work very well is small circles. I learn this from a member here called ZTfab. This method allows you to get great penetration and a strong weldnand Great for small migs. I think you will find you can do just about all the motions for arc and mig. I use weave a lot depending on the position. The main thing here is that you should be able to go in a straight line. If the weld doesn't look right welding this way, then your setting are off a little. Keep playing with the welder and getting some practice in. As you go it will start to become a lot clearer.Miller DVI2Lincoln Precision Tig 225Thermodynamics Cutmaster 38Everything else needed.
Reply:thanks for the help. i am going out in a few to practice some more. thanks again