Just started MIG

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Hey guys!So, we just started MIG... right after I posted about the sticks. lol Go figure. Anyway... we were using 1/8" steel, began with 16.8v and ended up with 17.4v, 200wfs to 215ish, 75/25 gas mix. Here are my first attempts at MIG bead.The two worst ones were when we had some trouble with the wire feed.  All of them are mine, except for two of the shorter ones. Attached Images
Reply:Those look very nice to me."Never mistake education for intelligence."AIRCO Oxy/AccMiller Thunderbolt
Reply:Try 18/250 or 19/300. They look cold a bit.
Reply:Thanks for the comments! Joe... you don't think I just need to slow down? Any other suggestions?
Reply:You might try upping the voltage,something around 19-20v and 250-300ipm ,you will probably have a travel speed of about an inch every 4-5 seconds.Your coupon heating as you weld will make the first and last welds you do look different,even with the same settings.
Reply:x2  they look cold to me too esp on the right.   crrank up the voltage. also you need to tell us the wire diameter as that is what the wire speed is based off of.Tiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:Ok. Will try as y'all suggest. Wire .035.
Reply:Judging from the end of some of those welds it looks like your wire speed is to high. Uping the volatage, you may find your happy medium.I hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:The best attempt you made was the second from the left, the same weld on a 1/8 fillet would work.  Welding on flat plate almost always ends in a crown on the weld.As you weld remembet to move the puddle back and forth with a slight pause at both sides, each time stepping forward to the next puddle. Remeber wire speed is amps or heat, votage is arc length, get these right and the rest is practiceLet your plate cool between passes or the weld will flatten, too much wire leads to a lot of spatter too much voltage leads to porosity and worm holesWire spatters or stubs against the plate, reduce speed or increase voltage.Wire burns back to the tip increase speed or reduce voltage.Good luck
Reply:Thanks for the input! Will put into play at tonite's class.FYI... The welds on the right were my first ones.
Reply:The section I circled looks about what you want all your welds to look like the whole length. You show a nice even consistency throughout the circled area.I'll agree you could probably turn the voltage up a bit for beads on flat plate to get them to lay down a bit more. We run anywhere from 16.5-21v on 1/8" depending on the joint and position. 17.5 - 200 IPM is right in the ballpark for some joints, but we run 92-8 for the gas with .035 with the XMT's. Are you pushing the bead or dragging? If you are dragging, that might also explain the taller beads. Try pushing your beads.Get comfortable. If you have to start in the most awkward position, and move towards a more comfortable one rather than the other way around. Don't be afraid to lean on the work, the table or what ever else you have to, to get as comfortable and steady as possible. Use both hands if need be. Make sure you can clearly see the puddle, pushing, you often have to weld slightly towards yourself, so you can look down the barrel to easily see the puddle..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:Wire speed controls penetration, Voltage controls Bead appearance. Just another way to remember what the others have said...    One thing u can try is intentionaly set the voltage way high and run a bead.  then way low and run another bead then in the middle of the 2 settings you just did...   look at the 3rd bead and if it needs to flatten a bit  up the voltage. if its flat and wide decrease a bit on the voltage.  Then repeat and you get a smaller and smaller range till you have it dialed in perfect.   now with the voltage set, repeat the exersize changing the wire speed instead.    turn it up till it just starts to stub the wire against the metal and back off a little.   run a bead.   do the same thing with slow wire speed you will see the wire pull back out of the puddle.   how go half way between and run a bead..  dial it in from there.   I find that helps people understand what your settings are really doing.   Its creates exaggerated examples so its easier to see the differencesThis is how most of us probably set our machines.  not to the extremes but unless we already have known preset setting for the thickness and joint we are doing, we run a test bead using suggested values,  look at it and make any changes needed before welding on the project pieceLast edited by soutthpaw; 09-25-2012 at 05:39 PM.Tiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:I am sorry but I need to clarify, amps/wfs=heat, volts=arc length.Penetration is a result of volts,amps,travel speed, gas, wire,direction and process.Volts are a major regard when it comes to bead appearance, however all the things mentioned above along with weld coverage shield, contaminants and  enviornment can be a consideration.Don't want to over simplify welding, it really is an art form and if you want to make a career out of it talk to any welder that will listen, expierience is the best teacher.
Reply:Soooo... THANKS for all the advice. It helped me alot. Pic below... again... 1/8 in steel, upped to 17.1v and 250wfs, .035 wire, 75/25 gas mix. My beads aren't perfect, I know, but I believe they are much better. Please give more suggestions to help me get better.  Y'all are awesome!  Attached Images
Reply:look much better.   now its just getting more seat time to practiceTiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:Thanks, Soutthpaw!
Reply:Looking much better. Its hard to see the beads in the second photo, but they look wider and flatter with a better concave to them.Bump it up to 18V and see what you think for comparasonThermal Arc Fabricator 2101970 Lincoln RedfaceMiller 150 STLStill need a Syncrowave and a plasma and a milling machine and a lathe and a bigger shop and a....