look what followed me home today

admin

I finally found a mig I could live with  a Lincoln 180C.  I admit to being a wanta-be, I still am learning. I have been lurking for 8 or 9 months. My first question is that the manual states that "A variable or "hunting" arc is a typical symptom of a worn contact tip."  my arc is unstable, it sounds more like very rapid machine gun fire,  -- does that sound like what they are referring to?? I  was checking out the unit at the sellers on a piece of sheet metal if that makes a difference.I've only welded 1/8 angle up to now.I hope there isnt a limit on dumb questions as I'm probably going to have a LOT of them   I'll have another one tomorrow after I've got my outlet wired in   I don't plan on welding in the shed, but out on the lawn; easier to keep track of the sparks that way.fred Attached Images
Reply:Nice machine...Have fun! I'd check tip size(against wire size)... spool tension(too tight?).... wire feed roll size(against wire size).... and wire feed roller  tension(too tight?-too loose?)
Reply:assuming you have the polarity set correctly for running solid wire with gas, I'd have to say your nozzle is too far from your work piece causing a lot of popping instead of sizzling like bacon frying.Fire!, Fire! Oh wait, that's my torch...Lincoln PT-225 TIGLincoln 175 MIG
Reply:The wandering arc that the book talks about, comes from the coil of the wire and the tip being worn or oversized.  You will know it when you see it.  The arc goes round and round in little circles.  The machinegun fire can be caused by a number of things.
Reply:Also try adjusting the wire feed speed and the voltage on either side of the values for the metal thickness posted on the chart inside the spool and drive unit door.  Also make sure you are using the settings for the cover gas, wire diameter and type of wire you are using - solid versus flux core.  Sometimes you just have to find the sweet spot for the welding conditions and your technique.TeddCoHTP Microcut 400 & Invertig 160DC  Smith Dual Guard MD-510 OA Rig  Lincoln SP135+  Hobart Stickmate LX 235/160
Reply:If you have a new tip..................   What TeddCo said.I have similar problems with my Hobart from time to time.  I adjust the voltage up & wirespeed down, then go the opposite way until I find the sweet spot.  You will know when it happens, because it's a wonderful sound.  Sizzlin Bacon!!!!BTW, what size bottle is that?  Just curious as I need to get a bigger one.MarkI haven't always been a nurse........Craftsman 12"x36" LatheEnco G-30B MillHobart Handler 175Lincoln WeldandPower 225 AC/DC G-7 CV/CCAdd a Foot Pedal to a Harbor Freight Chicago Electric 165A DC TIG PapaLion's Gate Build
Reply:It's not a stick machine. The GMAW process you will use most often is "short circuit". That rapid fire sound is a good thing. Anywhere from a light buzz to a nice crisp machine gun sound is fine. There's a lot of room in there from short circuit to globular but you're fine right where your at at the moment.
Reply:good score!
Reply:Set the welder per the door chart. Set up a test piece (same thickness). Pull the trigger, listen and adjust the wire speed. Litsten for the even frying sound.Some MIG's door charts are too cold. Try one thickness heavier (per the door chart) and use the above method; turning the wire speed knob with the welder running. As said above nozzle to work piece is very important.When I had the machine gun sound, wire feed was too low. The gun was also 'hammering' in my hand.9-11-2001......We Will Never ForgetRetired desk jockey. Hobby weldor with a little training. Craftsman O/A---Flat, Vert, Ovhd, Horz. Miller Syncrowave 250
Reply:Wow thanks for all the ideas,  will see if I can get all my ducks in the same pond over the next couple of days and play with it a bit. I was working on the floor, and have always used a bench so that may well be a factor also, the torch probably wasn't close enough. guess I will have to spring for a small piece of plate to use for a table.  I need something that folds up for storage as my wife likes to fill the shed how thin can I get away with??Mark   afaik its a 40, I didn't measure it but is aprox 20" tall.  If I use very much I will probably spring for a second tank, right now I think there is about 100 psi left, will do for testing, not too critical if I run out in the middle, can always go get refill the next daythanks for all the repliesfred
Reply:Is that tank a co2 tank?
Reply:Here's an idea for a small foldable welding table.  Folds flat & goes into my shed outside my garage.Ignore the other stuff in front of it.  You can see most of it, just a couple legs that are bolted in the center.  Wouldn't put much weight on it, but it works for small fab jobs.  The other stuff was a ramp for wheelchair access to my house. Attached ImagesMarkI haven't always been a nurse........Craftsman 12"x36" LatheEnco G-30B MillHobart Handler 175Lincoln WeldandPower 225 AC/DC G-7 CV/CCAdd a Foot Pedal to a Harbor Freight Chicago Electric 165A DC TIG PapaLion's Gate Build
Reply:Welcome to the forum fredf  and congratulations on the new machine.I'll tell you what was once told to me - "you're hooked!"Have fun!MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:I started with that size bottle but when it was empty I went to 80CF. The refills are further between and not much cost difference. Besides you need to run a bunch of wire to get to know your new friend and that little thing will be empty quick.Have fun.Lincoln PowerMig 180cVictor O/ABandaids and aspirinI don't know what I don't know!?
Reply:One other thing that can cause a machinegun sound is not getting a good ground, if the piece you are working on isn't clean at the point at which you clamp the ground and also at the point that you are touching the wire to, there can be a film or mill scale on the piece that will cause a shallow or short arc!#1. If you don't like what I wrote, or if it offends you, then don't read it!#2. I am living life the way I see fit, if you don't like the way I'M living, tough sh**!
Reply:Ok a bit of research  the tank appears to be 55 cu foot and contains 75% / 25%  argon / co2. One thing I noticed is that the supplier is STAMPED and stenciled on the tank, is this normal on a swap out or did the guy pull a fast one on me???
Reply:Originally Posted by Ken DennisOne other thing that can cause a machinegun sound is not getting a good ground, if the piece you are working on isn't clean at the point at which you clamp the ground and also at the point that you are touching the wire to, there can be a film or mill scale on the piece that will cause a shallow or short arc!
Reply:The cleaner the joint, The better the weld. No rust or mill scale. Clean a spot for your ground clamp too. I get lazy or in a hurry and this fundamental always smacks me in the face.
Reply:I got my outlet in, fed the wire; it WORKS (feeds wire at least). I don't want to draw an arc in the shed, too many flammables!. I need to build an extension cord, I picked up a bunch of 10/3 SO cord just out side of Hartford thanks to Craig's List. Picked up a few supplies, and should be functional tomorrow.The Tip is 0.025 and the wire is 0.023.  is that enough of a mismatch to cause a problem???  The wire was another brand, don't see any tips or wire that size listed  on Lincoln's site, The previous owner was restoring a car, so probably was using it for sheet metal  It seems usable, but it doesn't hurt to get a second opinionI need to p/u a couple sizes of tips, and a couple of feed rollers, I have the .025/ .030 one only.  Need the .035 and the .035/.045 serrated one for f/c any Idea how much I will need to spend??One other thing the electrode is a bit proud of the gas lens,  the flats on the end of the gas diffuser are recessed into the lens  Is this correct?? or has my head been dropped??fred
Reply:looks like all the ideas were covered. hope that its working out for you.If you like my stuff you can find me on Facebook.  https://www.facebook.com/theangryanv...ngryanvilforge
Reply:Originally Posted by fredfI got my outlet in, fed the wire; it WORKS (feeds wire at least). I don't want to draw an arc in the shed, too many flammables!. I need to build an extension cord, I picked up a bunch of 10/3 SO cord just out side of Hartford thanks to Craig's List. Picked up a few supplies, and should be functional tomorrow.The Tip is 0.025 and the wire is 0.023.  is that enough of a mismatch to cause a problem???  The wire was another brand, don't see any tips or wire that size listed  on Lincoln's site, The previous owner was restoring a car, so probably was using it for sheet metal  It seems usable, but it doesn't hurt to get a second opinionI need to p/u a couple sizes of tips, and a couple of feed rollers, I have the .025/ .030 one only.  Need the .035 and the .035/.045 serrated one for f/c any Idea how much I will need to spend??One other thing the electrode is a bit proud of the gas lens,  the flats on the end of the gas diffuser are recessed into the lens  Is this correct?? or has my head been dropped??fred
Reply:Fred   The only dumb questions are the ones you dont ask.And on that note,"You did have the shielding gas turned on?" sorry but it had to be asked      FelonCaution lurker lives here" hmmm That is serious,pass the ganja and pick up a  24 of MGD"
Reply:It looks like you could use some better tires, for rolling outside.Be careful that you don't tip it over, or you could go from this , to this
Reply:My personal tip.... one that has bitten me twice now (I am new to welding too)..... make sure your polarity is correct.  I switch back an forth between flux and the other wire... and forget to swap polarity.  It is like trying to learn from scratch again.
Reply:FM may have been a problem. tho think we had enough at that point. the tanks were pretty far gone, I did a couple more at home friday, and the LPM dropped in half. I upgraded to an 80 cf tank on Saturday.ligito,  and how!  I am planning to put some big wheels on end where handle is, and move handle to straddle the tank, with a couple of bigger casters outriggerd on that end for more stability. I am considering spreading the big wheels out a couple inches further out than I need for clearance, for a tad more stability.I am kicking my self. a few months ago I threw out a scope cart -- for one of those big old techtronics TUBE type O-scopes. would have been perfect  nice big wheels like  on a gurney -- top notch stuffjdh239 A good point to keep in mind thanx