Need some overhead mig help

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JUst got a new mig and am having a hard time tuning the machine. Its a lincoln sp180 and I am welding some 1.75" .120 wall tube. My issue is the overhead welds, I cannot get them to "flow" they just seem to run. I got the machine working fairly well on a flatt or verticle bead, but overhead is really hard for me. I was running on voltage setting "d" out of "e". And wire sped around 6. Do I need to turn the wire speed down for the overhead welds? I have been having a heck of a time with this welder. Every other welder I have used I have been able to use  a bit easier but this ones giving me grief. Whats the best way to clean tube before welding? I heard just using a grinder is bad because you can embed all the junk on the grinding wheel into the metal... DOM tube comes with some nasty coating or something on it.
Reply:setting "D" seems a little high for 1/8 wall pipe. try turning the power down to b and the wire speed around 3. these settings seam to work for me on my lincoln 170sp w/ flux-core wire. the wire is a factor, if you are running solid wire w/ gas it will help cool the weld so yes run a little higher on amps. i believe 99% of welders prep with a grinder, if ya want, wipe it down with some acetone or something to get any residue off."Retreat hell, were just fighting in the other direction"Miller Trailblazer 302, Extreme 12 VS, Dimension 400, Spectrum 375, HF 251D-1, Milermatic 251 w/ spoolgun  Hypertherm 1000Lincoln sp 1702000 F-450 to haul it
Reply:Use the same settings for overhead as vertical up.  Use a slight push angle when welding overhead, stringers only.  Get comfortable before you start.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:When i overhead mig i turn the wirespeed up. You have to have it set higher to fight the force of gravity. I wish manufacturers didn't put stuff like "D" and "E" for their ajustments. But thats just me i like to fine tune my machine to within a half volt and 5 IPM wire speed --Gol'
Reply:Start w/ wire feed speed high then retard as see fit.The secret is the wire speed and travel speed.You need to mention ,unless I overlooked, the wire size and if your using solid or flux..030 size should work fine Over-head will always use different settings than any other position ..so find the sweet spot.  Last edited by lewray; 10-24-2007 at 03:05 PM. weld it like you own it
Reply:Its .030 wire gas 75/25 mix. Setting D I know is about right for heat range.
Reply:This welder has been nothing but crap for me. I cannot get the setup right. I know I can weld much better than I have been, but ive been practicing for hours trying to get the setup right. If I put it in heat range E it sounds very odd, but the weld is "better" but it is very messy. Setting D doesnt penetrate enough unless I have a slightly loose fitting joint. I think I might sell this thing and go for a miller 210 or something...
Reply:Can you turn the wire speed as you are welding?  If you can get positioned so you weld with one hand and turn the wire speed with the other, It may help you out.  Please don't change the voltage taps while welding.Try it on D and on E.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Thats how I normall setup my welder I will adjust the wire speed till it gets that crisp egg frying sound. I can get the sound in "D" but it just isnt hot enough to do a tight joint. When I use setting E it sounds like compressed air coming out. It sounds verry odd and it drips all over the place and makes a mess then jams up my tip. It frustrates me because I have been welding for some years and I know how to weld better than this.  That was with a little millermatic 90. I just figured my life would get easier with buying this new welder.. Seems like a poor investment though