Pourous MiG welds..??!!

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I'm not sure why this keeps happening. My welds just keep getting pin holes in them and they're not laying down flat like they should be. I'm using 75/25% Argon/Co2. .030 wire on a Lincoln 180c. Wire speed is at 5 and voltage is set at J. If that makes sense to you guys that have this type of settings on your Lincoln welders. I'm welding on 2x2x1/4" crs angle iron.  I've tried backing off the wire speed. Cleaned the hell out of it before welding and have even done some pre-heating with a propane torch.  Just aggravated. I'm putting together an aquarium stand for my Daughters boyfriend. I've beveled the steel before welding. This was just practice with a new MiG gun that I got today. Again.... Very aggravated.
Reply:whats your gas set at
Reply:I don't have experience with your type of welder, but...This happened right after you put the new gun on?  If so, it's most likely you have a gas delivery problem.  Check the o-rings at the back end of the gun assembly to be sure they're there.  Also check to be sure the back end is fully seated into the feeder.  I'm assuming you have the gas turned on and set somewhere in the neighborhood of 15-25 cfh.PS - You're not doing this outside in the wind/breeze, are you?  If so, put up a wind screen of some sort and give it another try.
Reply:I did just check it and I notice it was ay 10cfh. I was also having this problem with my last MiG gun. I'll try again with the gas bumped up. Pics will follow.
Reply:Next set of questions:1) Do you have a flowmeter or just a regulator?  If just a regulator, release the drive roll tension so you don't stick yourself in the eye with MIG wire and check to see if you hear gas flowing through the nozzle when you pull the trigger.2) Is your spool of wire rusty?
Reply:I know it's a dumb question, but is your polarity right?  I did some flux core with mine and then put the solid wire back on, but was called away before I switched the polarity back.  Then I didn't use it for a few weeks.  Took me a little while cussing at it before I remembered that I had not switched the polarity back.Sent from my C811 4G using Tapatalk
Reply:Polarity is right. I do have gas flowing through it.  I'm also not trying the MiG like TiG thing either. just trying to lay down a nice bead. Gas is at 20cfh. Yes, I have a regulator. I was thinking about a flow meter, but I wasn't sure if it's worth the upgrade seeing how my welding has been.  You guys make it look easy. I've had this for a few years. I've really gotten motivated to start using it a lot lately.
Reply:Hey Pipehack,1. Again, is the spool of wire on your machine squeaky clean?  If there's any rust on it, expect your welds to have porosity.2. Are there any sources of breeze that could be blowing your gases away?  Wind, fan, etc.?3. I know you said you cleaned the steel well, but I still see mill scale on the surface.  Try cleaning it with a grinder until it's shiny like a mirror.  (Not a grinder with wire brush - use a grinding wheel or flap disc.)  Honestly I don't think this is the problem, but it's a good habit to get into.4. Is the nozzle on your gun clean so the gas can flow evenly out of it?  No buildup of spatter inside?5. Are you controlling the wire stickout to be around 3/8" to 1/2" away from the steel as you're welding?  The farther you hold the gun from the weld, the 'colder' the weld will be, and the less coverage you'll have from your shielding gas.NOTE: I'm now looking at your machine's owners manual on the Lincoln website.  Here it is: http://www.lincolnelectric.com/asset...oln3/im890.pdf6. It shows a choice of gasless flux nozzle which is included with the gun, and a nozzle for gas.  Are you using the right one?  In other words, is the electrode completely or nearly completely hidden by the nozzle?  If not, you've got the flux core nozzle on the gun and there's your problem.7. Also in the machine's manual, it recommends 30-40 cfh on gas.  Sounds high to me, but there might be a reason.  Crank it on up and see what happens.8. Apparently there's a voltage/wire speed label inside the machine's wire compartment.  I find these settings are often 'cold' compared to my liking.  Try the highest recommended setting the label shows, and then vary the voltage incrementally up or down while leaving the wire speed the same.Hope something here helps.-Joe
Reply:I have the 125 amp version of your welder so here are my thoughts have a mig nozzle on it not a flux core nozzle,make sure you are in an area that has no wind blowing,make sure you have about 25-30 set on your regulator,check your wire sometimes moisture gets in wire and can ruin it and finally make sure the connections at the regulator are tight and the mig gun is seated properly in position.Lincoln pro core 125 14''chop saw7 inch grinder,2-4.5 inch grinders,electric die grinder.Half inch drillAnd alot of hand tools
Reply:I ran my old 180c at around 25cfh, I did use a flow meter instead of the supplied regulator.1/4" I would run voltage on J (maxed out) and wirespeed around 7 or 8.. Something I did do that improved it's characteristics was I cut the tips down so they sat recessed from the end of the nozzle about an 1/8"....  I think you can buy a different (longer) nozzle for this, but I just cut the tips down because I had so many extra tips.  Actually think I got this tip from someone on here that owned a 180c, think it might have been Dan.tackleexperts.comwww.necessityjigs.comhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/mach...dingequipment/
Reply:Come to think of it. The 8lb. spool of wire that's in there is a little old. I'll try a new spool tomorrow. Everything is right. I will crank up that gas more. I'll let you guys know tomorrow. Happy New Year.
Reply:Having gas flow is not an indicator of pure gas. You may be pulling in ambient air along the way through a leaking joint. Check all your connections and make sure you have no leaks. I chased this same problem and didn't solve it till I replaced the entire gun.Miller Dynasty 200DXMiller 252 Miller 250xMiller Syncrowave 250Miller AEAD200 LegendMiller 375 Xtreme plasmaLincoln WeldPak 100Victor O/A
Reply:Did you say that you just put a new gun on?Did the other gun weld ok? If so put it back on and try it .I have had problems when it just won't weld right but usually worked when I put a new gun on.Check both guns to make sure they are the same where they go on the machine. Good luck
Reply:Originally Posted by Weld oneDid you say that you just put a new gun on?Did the other gun weld ok?
Reply:Thanks for all the help. I changed the wire with a new roll of .030. Bumped up the gas and made sure that I heard gas flowing out of the MiG gun itself. I'm thinking it was a gas problem and not a wire problem. Here's a pic immediately after just shooting down this weld. Not the greatest, but they're laying down flat with no pinholes. I'm relieved. This was just a quick bead so I was jumping around a bit as you can see. a little blurry. Sorry about that.
Reply:Check your welding ground also even though your new set shows good improvement. A weak ground, or one that's too far from what you're welding can also cause the sorts of problem you had. If you're welding on a table and depending on a ground to the surface or edge of the table check to see if any oxidation has come along to weaken the connection. First glance, though, said "gas" to me. Your first photo looks like my first fluxwire welder gave me routinely. Getting a welder that used gas changed my whole world.MM210TA186TA95sLincoln AC/DC Tombstonegood old Smith torch setup 24v Readywelder mig w/spoolgunSB H 10 latheBridgeport mill6x12 K.O.Lee surface grinderK.O.Lee tool/cutter grinder