Newb question - mig welding 1/8" round rod

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Hi everyone....first ever post here.  Have learned quite a bit by simply lurking, but no answer for my issue.  So my first question:- I have a Hobart 140 MIG welder and I am trying to weld pieces of 1/8" (cleaned) steel rod together.  I am using .30 flux core wire.  The feed rate is on the slowest setting and output is on "Number 2" for my welder (I have no idea what the power setting is at that dial, still reading the manual).  My polarity is also verified and set properly.When I try welding two pieces together, I get globs of weld everywhere and no strong, permanent welds.Again, this is actually my very first time welding (at 60 yrs. old, it is something I've always wanted to learn so I decided to give it a try).Are my settings reasonably close to what is required to weld this steel?  Is it just a matter of practice?ok...that was two questions.  

Thanks in advance.
Reply:Welcome to the group  Dave

Originally Posted by JustPapa

Hi everyone....first ever post here.  Have learned quite a bit by simply lurking, but no answer for my issue.  So my first question:- I have a Hobart 140 MIG welder and I am trying to weld pieces of 1/8" (cleaned) steel rod together.  I am using .30 flux core wire.  The feed rate is on the slowest setting and output is on "Number 2" for my welder (I have no idea what the power setting is at that dial, still reading the manual).  My polarity is also verified and set properly.When I try welding two pieces together, I get globs of weld everywhere and no strong, permanent welds.Again, this is actually my very first time welding (at 60 yrs. old, it is something I've always wanted to learn so I decided to give it a try).Are my settings reasonably close to what is required to weld this steel?  Is it just a matter of practice?ok...that was two questions.  

Thanks in advance.
Reply:Please post a photo of what you doing with the 1/8" steel rod.Dave

Originally Posted by JustPapa

Hi everyone....first ever post here.  Have learned quite a bit by simply lurking, but no answer for my issue.  So my first question:- I have a Hobart 140 MIG welder and I am trying to weld pieces of 1/8" (cleaned) steel rod together.  I am using .30 flux core wire.  The feed rate is on the slowest setting and output is on "Number 2" for my welder (I have no idea what the power setting is at that dial, still reading the manual).  My polarity is also verified and set properly.When I try welding two pieces together, I get globs of weld everywhere and no strong, permanent welds.Again, this is actually my very first time welding (at 60 yrs. old, it is something I've always wanted to learn so I decided to give it a try).Are my settings reasonably close to what is required to weld this steel?  Is it just a matter of practice?ok...that was two questions.  

Thanks in advance.
Reply:

Originally Posted by JustPapa

Hi everyone....first ever post here.  Have learned quite a bit by simply lurking, but no answer for my issue.  So my first question:- I have a Hobart 140 MIG welder and I am trying to weld pieces of 1/8" (cleaned) steel rod together.  I am using .30 flux core wire.  The feed rate is on the slowest setting and output is on "Number 2" for my welder (I have no idea what the power setting is at that dial, still reading the manual).  My polarity is also verified and set properly.When I try welding two pieces together, I get globs of weld everywhere and no strong, permanent welds.Again, this is actually my very first time welding (at 60 yrs. old, it is something I've always wanted to learn so I decided to give it a try).Are my settings reasonably close to what is required to weld this steel?  Is it just a matter of practice?ok...that was two questions.  

Thanks in advance.
Reply:

Originally Posted by Oscar

have you checked the chart on the machine or in the manual?  This is what I found online doing a simple google search.

According to that, I'd set it for 2/30 or 3/40, depending on the actual orientation of the rods you are trying to weld.   How parts are setup/arranged plays as much a part as the thickness of the parts themselves.
Reply:Yes I have this chart inside the door of the welder.  I saw it, but it seems like I misread/misinterpreted it and ran lower power and slower feed rate. I'll bump it up and give it another go.  Pictures afterwards......and thank you for all of the replies!
Reply:

Originally Posted by N2 Welding

I’m going to try to pick your brain on this one.The chat shows for .030 flux core that settings for 1/8” material “ aka 11 ga. “  lies somewhere between 12 ga and 10 ga.  Machine calls for 3/40 for 12 ga and 3/45 for 10 ga.  Are you suggesting to start lower on the voltage settings 2 because the round 1/8” rods will burn and melt a lot faster than solid 1/8” stock material ?
Reply:I got to agree with Oscar, set it 2 30.  You have the wire speed too slow.    Note that between 12 and 10 they simply turn the wire up a little.   These settings are not exact, highly depends on operator and from what I see on solid wire cause I rarely use the other is that they are tuned for vert up.   Note on that chart the bottom for that size is 1/30, might try that too but note the chart  again at 1/30 and different thickness, they didnt keep turning the wire down, they turn the voltage down.  I might even try 1/30 ish, maybe a little less for such a small part. Its so small the conventional thickness doesnt really apply as was mentioned.Last edited by Sberry; 15 Hours Ago at 12:24 PM.www.urkafarms.com
Reply:He said, globs and no strong permanent welds,  sounds like he it too low as suggested.  Turn up voltage and fine tune wire speed.  If you bur hole just stop until color changes to red or darker and then continue.
Reply:It really aint mig.www.urkafarms.com
Reply:SUCCESS!I turned up the feed rate and the voltage, both one click.  MUCH better.  I mean I still suck, but at least it is welded together solidly.  Lastly, I also changed my angle a tad and this seemed to help as well.Thanks so much for all of the suggestions.Back to practicing...will post pics when it doesn't look so embarrassingly ugly...