FCAW Criticism.....

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Today was a big day.  Today I broke out my Suitcase Welder...  "Miller Xtreme 12VS" hooked it up to my Trailblazer and tried it out.  I had this Welder sitting in my shop practically brand new for almost 2 years.  I was intimated to use it....  Right now its set up with 5/64" Flux-Core Wire.  Pretty much like MIG Welding with a Garden Hose coming out of the Gun....   I have been itching to really run some beads with it but was nervous.  Biggest wire I ever ran was 0.45 and I still do.  So I set up the Trailblazer Hooked up the Suitcase (Miller XTreme 12VS) and tried several techniques....  I typically Push MIG Welding.... I found Pulling these Welds worked out better for me.FCAW is my favorite Welding.  I am very familiar Welding 0.45 Wire with a Shielding Gas,  This was my first time with such a large Diameter wire and no shielding Gas.But My Question is How do they look?  How can I cut down on the Spatter?I was Running 27.0 / 13.0.Some Blue , Some Red & Some GreyProverbs 16:2-3.2 "All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord. 3 Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans."
Reply:Take it for what you will as I don't do a lot of FC wire, but it looks like you could slow down a tad from the pointy ripples.The general rule of thumb is there's slag, you drag, so a drag or pull motion works best with FC wire.As far as settings etc, I'll leave those suggestions to those who run large FC wire regularly..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:There are LOTS of FCAW wires.Lots of FCAW-S wires.Lots of FCAW-G wires.And they all do not use the 'same' parameters even if they are the same size wire.ex:5/64 Lincoln NR-211-MP wire, would run at 16V and 50 ipm WFS for welding on 14 gauge steel.5/64 Lincoln NR-232 wire would run at 20-21V and 130 ipm WFS for welding on 1/2 inch thick plate in all-position.5/64 Lincoln NR-311 running at 28V and 300 ipm WFS would be at around 410 amps.And that's just three different :Lincoln FCAW-S wires in 5/64 size.The specific wire matters for FCAW parameters.Next, spatter ...Directly out of the Lincoln Innershield Welding Guide:To Reduce Spatter (in order of importance)1. Adjust voltage2. Decrease drag angle3. Decrease CTWD4. Increase WFS5. Decrease travel speed
Reply:looks pretty good to me.  Three things I see:  1) your speed is not always consistent (see 2nd picture, the pass on the bottom (horizontal plate) ripple spacing in the middle of the pass is quite large, 2)  As DSW has suggested maybe slow down a bit.  Doing 1) and 2) (i.e. having a more consistent travel speed and slowing down a bit) will help with the tie in at the toes and the ripple shape.  Still though doesn't look bad.  AND 3) stop pecking at the weld with your chipping hammer to remove the slag (especially with the pointed end), your leaving dents in the weld.  Rake the slag off instead.