stupid question / what rhe heck am i doing wrong??

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Using my Miller 251, welding mild steel. .030 solid wire with gas, welding 16ga. Amps at 19.5 and wire feed at 230.The problem is every now and again when I go to start the weld the wire will snap off and weld itself to the tip. Not always,  just every so often. Even tried lots of anti-splatter gel thinking it would keep the tip cooler and lubed.No difference with a new tip or old. Not just with these setting either. Can't figure this one out.Any ideas??From the desk of Kevin CaronTrying to be the best me I can!www.kevincaron.comAHP Alpha Tig 200x MillerMatic 251Miller Syncrowave 200
Reply:Don't you mean you're running the voltage at 19.5 and the wire feed at 230 ipm ? Anyway, a couple of things to think about. Your voltage may be just a couple of volts high for what you're working on, actually the wire feed too. Then if you're getting a big nub on the end when you let off try cutting that nub off before a restart as a test."The things that will destroy America are prosperity at any price, peace at any price, safety first instead of duty first, the love of soft living and the get rich quick theory of life." -Theodore Roosevelt
Reply:Definitely running a bit hot IMO...Miller Performance AD Helmet - Camo Edition Soon to have: Jackson HSL 100 - Forest Digi CamoMiller Thunderbolt AC/DC((Currently at welding school))
Reply:+1 to the 19.5v heat being too much Kevin,This is .030" at 220IPM (measured) and 75Ar/25Co2 using a Fabricator 250 which is trying to push thing a bit on the cold side with straight tap and then inductance tap;[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qGtvI0XRyM&feature=relmfu[/ame]This is a 120/220 old school inverter running .030" E70s-6 wire with 75Ar/25Co2 at 240IPM (measured) and as near as I can figure 18.5v (but the machine is running out of headroom with 120 input);[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUaZA30Mw4g&feature=relmfu[/ame]Your mileage may vary (I tend to like to run cold on the volts)...Matt
Reply:Good tutorials Matt."The things that will destroy America are prosperity at any price, peace at any price, safety first instead of duty first, the love of soft living and the get rich quick theory of life." -Theodore Roosevelt
Reply:Thanks guys, I will turn it down a tad and give that a try.and yeah, Sandy, what you said.     Big fingers small brain.......From the desk of Kevin CaronTrying to be the best me I can!www.kevincaron.comAHP Alpha Tig 200x MillerMatic 251Miller Syncrowave 200
Reply:While I've not got any experience with the 251 I do remember reading where some claimed that they where prone to this problem. My understanding was that clipping the end of the wire each time you stopped was the only sure fire cure.Millermatic 252XMT 304'sDynasty 280DXHypertherm PowerMax 1250Miller Trailblazer 302 EFIOptima PulserXR feeder and XR Edge gun and more athttp://members.dslextreme.com/users/waynecook/index.htm
Reply:I'm slow and it doesnt' matter because it's not production, but I cheat as much as possible to help avoid these things.  I clip my wire, brush/ grind my work, and try to make sure my ground clamp is still in a good connection every time before I strike or restrike my arc.  I will also tinker with the amps and voltage a lot even when working on the same work especially if I am having any even tiny sign of problem or if the work is getting hot and I don't need as much amps.I think it was Jody on weldingtipsandtricks.com who said to cheat on your weld tests by getting everything set just right before you start.  W'hen I take the time to do all these things I have a lot operation from my machiens and better welds for my low experience level.  What a relief.Sorry if that's repeating the obvious.
Reply:Hey Kevin,glad to see you here as I enjoy your videos(and a subscriber),keep up the good work you've been doing!Drink a Guinness Draught....Millermatic 140Do you still rememberDecember's foggy freeze --when the ice thatclings on to your beard isscreaming agony.
Reply:Kevin,If you're using C25 shielding gas 19.5V is way to high. Try dropping down to around 17.Your poor arc start could be caused by to much spool hub tension, or not enough drive roll pressure. Your lower drive roll has some side to side adjustability to it. Does the wire line up properly with the V groove.You you have your drive rolls oriented properly so that you are running.030 wire in the .030 V grooves.A worn contact can gice you trouble.You have the ability to adjust the run-in on your unit.ESAB Migmaster 250 Hobart Ironman 230Multimatic 215TWECO Fabricator 181i & 211iHH125EZ - nice little fluxcore only unitMaxstar 150 STH - very nice
Reply:run in was my thought. my mm252 had the same problem so i set the run in to 80 and the problem cleared up.225NT bobcatAEAD200LEScott 125mm175, mm252 w 30A, PT225mm211, TA 181iHyper Therm 380, cut master 529100X & XX, Digital Elite6 Victor setssmith little torch, meco midget kalamazoo band sawsteel max saw evoulution circular saw
Reply:OK, that must have been when I was sleeping in class....What's run in??From the desk of Kevin CaronTrying to be the best me I can!www.kevincaron.comAHP Alpha Tig 200x MillerMatic 251Miller Syncrowave 200
Reply:The drive rollers are set for the correct size wire and everything looks lined up. The drive roller pressure is set to 3. I will be welding later today so I will try these suggestions and get back to you guys later. Thanks for the tips...From the desk of Kevin CaronTrying to be the best me I can!www.kevincaron.comAHP Alpha Tig 200x MillerMatic 251Miller Syncrowave 200
Reply:Originally Posted by kevinacaronOK, that must have been when I was sleeping in class....What's run in??
Reply:I will have you know I know right the manual is!!   I am keeping it on the shelf wrapped it's plastic wrap so it will stay clean.  Can't have the pages all dirty and such, makes it hard to read.I will break it out and give it a look see.   Thanks for the slap to the back of the head....From the desk of Kevin CaronTrying to be the best me I can!www.kevincaron.comAHP Alpha Tig 200x MillerMatic 251Miller Syncrowave 200
Reply:Originally Posted by kevinacaronI will have you know I know right the manual is!!   I am keeping it on the shelf wrapped it's plastic wrap so it will stay clean.  Can't have the pages all dirty and such, makes it hard to read.I will break it out and give it a look see.   Thanks for the slap to the back of the head....
Reply:Kevin,I one of your You Tube vidoes you stated your gun lead was 25 feet long. If this is true the length of your lead, especially with an .030 wire, could be causing your issueESAB Migmaster 250 Hobart Ironman 230Multimatic 215TWECO Fabricator 181i & 211iHH125EZ - nice little fluxcore only unitMaxstar 150 STH - very nice