help with mig

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I bought a Lincoln 235 mig 110V wire feed welder. I'm using shielded .035 wire that came with the machine, to weld mild steel.I do ok up to about gauge 12. With heavier material I have trouble getting a puddle. If I stay in an area long enough I can get a puddle but have to go back and forth slowly to get the puddle to melt into each piece of material. I fear that I'm not getting much penetrations and that I'm just making a scab.The instructions say it will weld up to 1/4. Do I need different wire? Do I need more technique? Do I need a bigger welder?I do need helpThanks Will
Reply:The 110 volt units want a rock solid AC supply. If you are coming off some 14awg circuit that's already bounced through 6 or eight back stab receptacles you are gonna have problems. Worse if it's also got a bunch of other things plugged in and running off it.  If you are running off an extension cord make sure it's a respectable one, not an 18 awg 100 footer. So the shorter and or bigger (12awg) the power run the better. Also, at least try one roll of the .030 flux core. It's harder to find and more expensive but it'll be better for your machine.  Everybody get's big wire because they think big wire will somehow make it operate like a big machine. It doesn't.
Reply:I'm using a 20 amp circit but a 25' 18 awg cord.I have heavier cords but they are all 100'Should I invest in a better short cord?
Reply:Originally Posted by Will McClardI'm using a 20 amp circit but a 25' 18 awg cord.I have heavier cords but they are all 100'Should I invest in a better short cord?
Reply:i would invest in a 220 v welder like a 175+ it would be perfect for you as fas as the wire we use .035 on 3/8" plate to make smaller beads sometimes.