Easy rookie question

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Hi all -I've been googling for this answer but to no avail.I am making some bench frames from 11 ga square tubing (hot rolled mild steel). I have a lincoln 140hd, and the only recommended setting not on the included chart is 11ga. For fcaw process and using .035 wire (211MP), would I be better served using the C or D voltage setting? Any wire feed setting recommendation?Thanks!
Reply:11g is about 1/8"  I think the chart has 1/8"So start with that and adjust.Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:Thanks Ed, but it does not list 1/8th. Jumps from 12ga to 10. Welds look a little ropey on C, which is the setting for 12ga.
Reply:turn it upMiller Maxstar 200 SDPiperliner #10 Gold
Reply:GONNA HAVE TO TRIAL AND ERROR IT.Actually better/simpler with a tapped machine since your choices are limited.Set it to either c or d and adjust the wire speed until it dials in for ya.Your tip to work distance will have an effect as well.Enjoy Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:I would set it for 10 ga. There's not much thickness difference between 10 and 11 ga.With flux core, don't forget to drag (vs. pushing), except for vertical up welding.Rich
Reply:Do yourself a favor and sit down with the manual and figure out what your taps are voltagewise. Take the lowest voltage output, there is tap A, and the highest voltage output, tap D, then divide into the rest of the taps. Then you can use any welding calculator to figure out where you need to be. You can also figure out you wire speed by setting at the different numbers, pull the trigger, time to 6 seconds, measure the wire that came out, multiply by 10, and there is your wire speed in IPM.  Then you will be doing setups like the big boys. Not trying to be condescending, just trying to make it into a learning experience.. Don't try to do it measuring voltage with a multimeter, as that would be open circuit voltage, not welding voltage. It will also not be dead accurate, but should get you close enough. You can download a welding calculator on the Miller site, put it on your phone to have it handy.
Reply:Walker - that is great advice and no offense taken at all. I can't find the voltage figures in the lit, so I emailed lincoln support and they responded with the following -A = 21.5 VDCB = 25.0 VDCC = 27.5 VDCD = 31.0 VDCThat has to be OCV, right? Can I use a multimeter across the terminals while welding to get an idea on the welding voltage?Rich - that is my interim solution. I am much more confident in the welds made on the higher voltage and wfs recommendation for 10 ga than I was using the lower voltage. They don't look textbook yet, but I'll get there.Thanks for the help all!
Reply:Thats probably OCV, as the actual welding voltage is dependent on your wire feed setting for any one tap position. For decently accurate results, you can measure at the posts with a multimeter while welding. I use my phone to record then play it back after.Those chart settings are generally for fillet welds (at least they are on the millermatics). You might have to turn it down a bit depending on the joint (outside corner, open root butt) and position.