Former professional welder getting back into it as a hobby, starter question

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Hello,My father was a welder at Quincy Shipyard for over a decade, and after a couple of dozen years without welding has decided to pick it up as a hobby. He grabbed a Craftsman model number 20511 MIG welder barely used on craiglist (it still had most of the sample spool of wire on it) last weekend.Here's my issue, which I'm hoping you folks could help with: He's having some difficulty starting out; He was quite excited about it and I don't want him to give up. I'll describe the problem as best I can, but I have no welding experience.He's complaining that he cannot get a good bead no matter what he does, he feels like the voltage is "inconsistent" and "it isn't getting any penetration, it's all surface weld." I went through the manual and confirmed everything I could:The wire is feeding consistently with no slipping.The settings are those recommended for the wire + 3/16" plate he's attempting to weld. Gas flow is on.I assume that I've not given enough information to get a solution here, but due to inexperience I don't even know what questions to ask. If you've any ideas, or I can check on anything else to help diagnose the problem I'd be happy to hear it.Thanks for your time.
Reply:for starters lets check to see if it hooked up for the right process mig -using gas sheild,,,,  electrode + (posmig using flux core,,,, electrode - negitiveshould have a chart on door use as a starter setting then adjust to fine tuneif it is a Tapped machine set on selected tap then adjust wire feed up or down a picture of his  welds will help too 3/16 will be pushing the machine from a quick check itsa  90 amp (1/8" will be max in real world welding you can down load a manual from lincoln or off the net with a search for that machineall metal needs to be clean as with the work lead connection little mig have their place just need to know the limit... but PICS help us with out seeing is hard to tell whats going on TELL US the settings  as far as to gas cfh wire setting an heat settingLast edited by prop-doctor; 11-03-2011 at 06:40 PM.idealarc 250/250 ac-dc tigidealarc 250/250 ac-dc tig #2 used for sticklincoln sp100hh125dual arbor grinder polisher30 yrs of hand tools52 pitch blocks 6p-26prake gauge -pitch gaugeG&D prop repair 918-207-6938Hulbert,okla 74441
Reply:Originally Posted by prop-doctorfor starters lets check to see if it hooked up for the right process mig -using gas sheild,,,,  electrode + (posmig using flux core,,,, electrode - negitiveshould have a chart on door use as a starter setting then adjust to fine tuneif it is a Tapped machine set on selected tap then adjust wire feed up or down a picture of his  welds will help too 3/16 will be pushing the machine from a quick check itsa  90 amp (1/8" will be max in real world welding you can down load a manual from lincoln or off the net with a search for that machineall metal needs to be clean as with the work lead connection little mig have their place just need to know the limit... but PICS help us with out seeing is hard to tell whats going on TELL US the settings  as far as to gas cfh wire setting an heat setting
Reply:I'm not familar with this perticular machine, but if it's a tap style dial for the voltage (dial clicks into place at each setting) how many different settings are there? like Prop said, 3/16 is pushing the machine and if it's not set at the highest posible voltage, than it's not going to get any penetration. proper prep is also VERY important for mig welding. Flux core is a little more forgiving. but it's just a good practice to get into. shiny metal for the surface to be welded, and the ground lead. hitting it with a wire brush isn't going to cut it. I would double check that spool as well. most multifunction migs come with a flux core spool so that it can be used right out of the box. without having to buy a tank right away.There are no problems. There are only solutions. It's your duty to determine the right one.Hobart Handler 210Airco 225 Amp MSM Stinger
Reply:Originally Posted by ThorsHammerI'm not familar with this perticular machine, but if it's a tap style dial for the voltage (dial clicks into place at each setting) how many different settings are there? like Prop said, 3/16 is pushing the machine and if it's not set at the highest posible voltage, than it's not going to get any penetration. proper prep is also VERY important for mig welding. Flux core is a little more forgiving. but it's just a good practice to get into. shiny metal for the surface to be welded, and the ground lead. hitting it with a wire brush isn't going to cut it. I would double check that spool as well. most multifunction migs come with a flux core spool so that it can be used right out of the box. without having to buy a tank right away.
Reply:amarquis, Solid MIG wire generally seems to have copper coating and doesn't break easily if you bend it back and forth, whereas flux cored wire looks like steel on the outside (it is) but is somewhat brittle. It breaks fairly easily using "the bend test" described.XMT304 (school)SP125+ (home)HF 4x6 BandsawGood judgement comes from experience and much of that comes from bad judgement.
Reply:gas flow doesn't need to be to much to get the job done. anywhere from 15 cfm to 35 cfm for most guys, thats not that much. The voltage speed and the wire speed need to be matched in order to get the proper penetration also. if the voltage is maxed, and the wire speed is maxed, and he's still only getting surface welds (little to no penetration) it's because the machine isn't big enough to handle the material thickness. wire size has an effect on this as well. Smaller wire doesn't carry the same amount of current as a larger wire. As it's been mentioned before, 3/16 is a bit thick for that machine. so sight prep is crucial. shiny metal, and beveled joints are a must. And it wouldn't hurt to do some preheating if you've got the equipment to do so.There are no problems. There are only solutions. It's your duty to determine the right one.Hobart Handler 210Airco 225 Amp MSM Stinger
Reply:use CFH =Cubic Feet per Hournot chm cubic feet per minute  is he welding outside? with a breeze,if so he need sto block the wind using shielding gasflux is better for out side is he using an extention cord too long of one will cause a drop in power to the welder an not preform as it should again pictures will help us see what is going onidealarc 250/250 ac-dc tigidealarc 250/250 ac-dc tig #2 used for sticklincoln sp100hh125dual arbor grinder polisher30 yrs of hand tools52 pitch blocks 6p-26prake gauge -pitch gaugeG&D prop repair 918-207-6938Hulbert,okla 74441
Reply:My shop teacher in school was an old Quincy ship yard guy. Where are you guys out of ?Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:Originally Posted by amarquisHe's complaining that he cannot get a good bead no matter what he does, he feels like the voltage is "inconsistent" and "it isn't getting any penetration, it's all surface weld." I went through the manual and confirmed everything I could:.