help with fcaw 3g pics inside.

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So I jumped to fcaw 3g to give it a test drive.  And it was hell first here are the specs 1inch base cut at 22.5 on each side and using a 1/8 baking strip. I had it set up at 20 volts and speed at 230 I think not sure on wire speed.  Now I was able to weld about half inch before I burn tru.  So started to play with setting and at 15 volts and slowest sleep I was able to run a bead but it felt and looked like crap.  Here is after a few runs with different setting. Uploaded with ImageShack.us
Reply:Here are the machines.  Uploaded with ImageShack.us
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Reply:Here is on a flat 3/4 plate set up 20 bolts and 330 speed and it burns and feels right.   Uploaded with ImageShack.us
Reply:what size wireLincoln Power Arc 4000 Thermal Arc Fabricator 252 iThermal arc 186Thermal Arc 26 tigTweeko 200 amp spool gunHobart AirForce 400WP-17V-12R
Reply:What type of wire? e70 or e 71? 70 is good for flat and horizontal and 71 is good for all.CERTIFICATIONS:7018M- H.V.O10718M- H.V.O11018M- H.V.O9N10- H.V.O71T-1-HYM- H.O.V100S1 PULSE ARC 0,035- H.O.V100S1 PULSE ARC 0.045- H.O.VER70S-3 PULSE ARC 0.035 H.O.VER70S-3 PULSE ARC 0.045 H.O.VER5554- H.O.V
Reply:Hello angel85lx, which wire brand, type, and diameter are you using? There are a "bunch" of different types of self-shielded flux-cored wires. The various types can cover a huge range of uses, applications, and operational parameters. Some have application thickness limitations, some are designed to meet seismic requirements for buildings and bridges, others are not. Some are considered to be high-deposition, or designed to meet charpy impact values for cold-weather applications and are capable of a considerable amount of tortional abuse or vibrational exposure, others don't fair too well in those environments. Back to your current pictures and descriptions, I believe that you will want to increase the thickness of the backing to at least 1/4", most codes specify a 1/4" to 3/8" thick backing. The voltage and wire speed settings you started out with sounded similar to what would be used for 1/16"dia. wire being run in the flat position. 15 volts sounds a bit low, here again though, without knowing more of the particulars about the wire it's impossible to say. If possible, google the manufacturer and wire type, most manufacturers will have pdf. files that give you a really good idea of the starting parameters for their wires relative to purpose, use, settings, and other particulars to help you to dial things in. Good luck and regards, Allanaevald
Reply:Most FCAW is electrode negative.  Check to confirm.  Stickout is REALLY important.  On some wires the sweet spot is up to 1.5 inches, usually 3/4 to 1 1/4.   I have found getting FCAW on CC with a suitcase the most frustrating until you find the sweet spot.  Constant voltage is a bit easier.
Reply:I don't know the wire size I will try and find out today. As for the backing that's the size he wants us to use. Even on smaw 3g and 4g he wants us to use 1/8. We where just given these new backing last week wich suck because we test out next week. All my practice was done with a 1/4 backing.
Reply:Isn't that XMT programmable? You should make sure its setup for your wire size and type I was having problems with that same machine until I Opened that little control panel on the front of the XMT and set it for my wire size and type. :]