vertical and upside down welding (mig)

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I am starting a little work on my truck and need some tips on this. I need it to penetrate best as possible, so would vertical down this better, or what vertical up?any tips or advice would be great. I have done a little practie but I don't know WHAT to practice as I have never done it, or really watched anyone do it before.
Reply:Hi. Assumptions here?mig = GMAW with solid wire and co2 gas?light duty machine 110volt input?You are welding on 3/16 or thicker material?Vertical up will usually get you better penetration, because the progression is slower and the heat is building in the part (preheating) as you go.  Gapping or grooving the joint allows for you to penetrate deeper.As I am working only with my assumptions here I can only guess. If you would have given details as to joint design and tools intended for use on the project more detailed help could be given.Drawings and pictures help a lot.    TJ
Reply:OOPS! sorry. its a lincoln pro mig 175. (220 volt) flux core .035 wire.
Reply:these are my absolute FIRST vertical DOWN's.i didnt have a grinder, and only used a wire wheel on certain areas, didnt think i would do this many welds. that being said, the crap looking one is where i did NOT wire brush all that much.
Reply:Vertical down on thin material is doable just slow down your  travel speed some allowing for more build up.Try some up hands as well both are necessary skills. I also am seeing inconsistent travel speed. You need to be like a machine, traveling at some set inch per minute setting and not vary, that is what will give the best looking weld. Do some more practice and post your best and worst two welds.TJ
Reply:yah, i dont have steady hands haha, thats my biggest problem I think. aside from being "afraid" to burn through.
Reply:Go ahead and burn through some pieces, that way you will know what to look for right before burn through, no sense in being afraid of it, right before is 100% penetration.Tim Beeker.
Reply:based on those welds, should i up the heat, or just slow down a decent bit?...in combination with going up, instead of down, the slowing down should add enough heat to penentrate?
Reply:Originally Posted by tnjindGo ahead and burn through some pieces, that way you will know what to look for right before burn through, no sense in being afraid of it, right before is 100% penetration.
Reply:What Fat Bastard said. Try it at different heat ranges to see what it does to your puddle.  If you burn holes, you gotta turn it down.    When you stop burning holes and are getting full penetration, the heat is right or close. If you can't control the puddle, change the settings.  Learn to weld UP.David Real world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:i plan on doing so tonite
Reply:All good advise given. Practice, practice, and then practice some more, preferrably on the thickness of metal you will be welding on that truck. Don't be afraid to experiment while you are practicing either. Sometimes one little change in what you are doing can make all the difference in the world.
Reply:Originally Posted by GrantHbased on those welds, should i up the heat, or just slow down a decent bit?...in combination with going up, instead of down, the slowing down should add enough heat to penentrate?
Reply:My speed is on "3.5" or close to it, and my heat was on "C". it's not an "infinite setting" machine like the millers, thats the only thing I do no like about it. But so far it hasn't been any trouble. I will be in the garage for the next roll of wire haha, il be back when its gone!
Reply:Originally Posted by GrantHyah, i dont have steady hands haha, thats my biggest problem I think. aside from being "afraid" to burn through.
Reply:im not a side to side mover, but damn if i cant keep a steady "gap" when im moving spaces as i weld.