determining wire speed & heat settings

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how does one determine proper wire feed speed & heat settings for materials to be joined? Is it based on the combined thickness of BOTH materials? For example: if I am joining 2 pieces of 1/8" steel plate, do I set the heat setting for the combined thickness of the two pieces or just 1 piece? Are the settings different for flux core & solid wire? My mig 170 is set up for flux core. No gas bottle as of yet.
Reply:Your machine should have a guide on the inside to get you going. If not miller and Lincoln have welding calculator's that can be downloaded online or can purchase from you local welding stores.
Reply:Set for the thickness to be welded: 1/8" in this case.Yes, different settings for hard wire and flux core - use the door chart as a starting point - usually very close.Btw, the wire feed speed sets the amperage, the other setting is welding voltage (not heat).Last edited by MinnesotaDave; 02-17-2015 at 08:26 AM.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:What I do is walk up to a welding machine, look over the face plate, turn a few dials, and say to my self. That should do it! Make a test weld, then correct what needs to be done. But this may help you. http://www.millerwelds.com/resources...calculator.phpDon’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Wire speed on machines especially cheap machines can vary quite a bit from actual speed to the displayed speed. Chart should only be used for an approximate and like cep said adjust from there.
Reply:Originally Posted by iongarWire speed on machines especially cheap machines can vary quite a bit from actual speed to the displayed speed. Chart should only be used for an approximate and like cep said adjust from there.
Reply:In general two flat pieces are just adjusted to the amps for a flat piece.If you are joining angle iron or something similar you have to account for the total mass of the material being heated.A test piece or two is always a good idea, and like CEP said , look at what you ended up with and go from there.
Reply:good input, thank you everyone. CEP....you give me great confidence...lol. Iongar...what specifically do you mean by "cheap machines"? I have a Chicago Electric (yep, it's a Harbor Freight welder) 170 mig with reversible polarity (for use with solid & flux wire) & I adhere religiously to the duty cycle of 20%. I've successfully made some interesting items including 3/8" galvy gussetted spring perches for my motorhome (which tips the scales at 12,000 lbs empty). I know there are many who think H.F. stuff is junk but I disagree. Your equipment only works as well as you maintain it. My 2nd welder is a 30 yr old Lincoln Tombstone buzz box (a/c only). I bought it cuz I got a "once in a lifetime" deal on it ($125.00 with accessories). I've only "toyed" with it once & it works beautifully but I have to beef up the breakers in my shop to 30 amp..
Reply:Originally Posted by brennansdady67good input, thank you everyone. CEP....you give me great confidence...lol. Iongar...what specifically do you mean by "cheap machines"? I have a Chicago Electric (yep, it's a Harbor Freight welder) 170 mig with reversible polarity (for use with solid & flux wire) & I adhere religiously to the duty cycle of 20%. I've successfully made some interesting items including 3/8" galvy gussetted spring perches for my motorhome (which tips the scales at 12,000 lbs empty). I know there are many who think H.F. stuff is junk but I disagree. Your equipment only works as well as you maintain it.
Reply:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveYou dont know how to adjust the machine, but made spring perches for a motor home?And you are lecturing on proper maint making harbor freight machines somehow good?Something doesn't appear to add up.
Reply:I'm gonna go and make popcorn now.Tiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:Door charts? Isn't that like looking at the instructions, or a map? No man does that! So what do you do when you go out on the job site, and this is all you get? Attached ImagesDon’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:You guys missed this part!QUOTE "My 2nd welder is a 30 yr old Lincoln Tombstone buzz box (a/c only). I bought it cuz I got a "once in a lifetime" deal on it ($125.00 with accessories). I've only "toyed" with it once & it works beautifully but I have to beef up the breakers in my shop to 30 amp.. "
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPDoor charts? Isn't that like looking at the instructions, or a map? No man does that! So what do you do when you go out on the job site, and this is all you get?
Reply:Sprinkle some parmesan cheese on it DJ.....it's yummy
Reply:wow!! kinda tuff on your critique! you want pictures of my spring perches? you got it!!! Here's the thing: I didn't "lecture" about maintenance, just that I adhere to "duty cycles" (something alot of guys don't pay attention to) Maybe I got lucky with the perches, who knows! They work great, the motorhome is 4 wheel drive (yep, I converted it myself) & I drive it on the beach. Don't assume what you THINK you know! I simply asked about heat settings as I've always wondered how close the charts really are & wondered if the thickness of both materials had to be combined to get proper settings. I did not ask to be badgered by anyone for anything nor for my opinion on Harbor Freight welders nor my purchase of a nice old Lincoln buzz box that any one of you would be thrilled to get your hands on!! You don't know me well enough to give me any **** about what I own or what I've done! Just so you know, the state inspector who inspected my motorhome asked who did my spring perches. I told him I did (thinking something was wrong with them). He said "dam good job, they look professional"! Look guys, if you don't want to help me, then don't, I'll go elsewhere. If you wanna bust my balls, go for it, I'll deal with it. Remember, you were newbies once too! You wanna help me or not?Last edited by brennansdady67; 02-17-2015 at 11:42 PM.
Reply:A buzz box should have a 50 amp or better circuit breaker. Keeping below the duty cycle doesn't make a machine any better. It is a legitimate concern that you are asking how to set a MIG welder after the fact you welded something that goes down the highway. That IS JUST scary! Lets see, a 50 year old Redface like CEP's or a 30 year old buzz box. Yea, I'd be so thrilled to have the buzz box, I'd probably pee my pants.
Reply:Originally Posted by brennansdady67wow!! kinda tuff on your critique! you want pictures of my spring perches? you got it!!! Here's the thing: I didn't "lecture" about maintenance, just that I adhere to "duty cycles" (something alot of guys don't pay attention to) Maybe I got lucky with the perches, who knows! They work great, the motorhome is 4 wheel drive (yep, I converted it myself) & I drive it on the beach. Don't assume what you THINK you know! I simply asked about heat settings as I've always wondered how close the charts really are & wondered if the thickness of both materials had to be combined to get proper settings. I did not ask to be badgered by anyone for anything nor for my opinion on Harbor Freight welders nor my purchase of a nice old Lincoln buzz box that any one of you would be thrilled to get your hands on!! You don't know me well enough to give me any **** about what I own or what I've done! Just so you know, the state inspector who inspected my motorhome asked who did my spring perches. I told him I did (thinking something was wrong with them). He said "dam good job, they look professional"! Look guys, if you don't want to help me, then don't, I'll go elsewhere. If you wanna bust my balls, go for it, I'll deal with it. Remember, you were newbies once too! You wanna help me or not?
Reply:I don't know a lot about welding yet but I do know welds can look good (professional) but are pretty weak with little penetration and therefore work for a while before failure. Did you do bend or acid testing on sample pieces to see if your settings and technique were right?
Reply:Dave.....as far as the Tombstone goes...I know about the breakers, which is why I mentioned them (not a total idiot here regardless of what you think). I have an electrician buddy who is putting a 50 amp breaker in my "hotbox" as he calls it. Moving onto duty cycles...if you overwork a welder beyond it's duty cycle (& you should know this if you're as good as you think you are), it overheats & shuts down. What good is that??!! My welds on the perches have held up wonderfully, thank you very much! With all the bouncing on the beach, they've had plenty of "road shock" put to them & have had no problems. I have 100% faith in them. Pity you feel you need to judge me based on **** you haven't seen nor know anything about! And I never asked for my "ego to be stroked". I appreciate constructive criticism when it's put in a proper text. You just decided to unload on me in rude fashion so I gave it back. The settings I used were based on internet findings. I was merely asking someone whom I THOUGHT had more experience in welding but it seems the only experience you have is downgrading people to perhaps "stroke YOUR ego". Forget I asked anything!! Go **** yourself!!! I'll remove my membership!!
Reply:Originally Posted by brennansdady67Dave.....as far as the Tombstone goes...I know about the breakers, which is why I mentioned them (not a total idiot here regardless of what you think). I have an electrician buddy who is putting a 50 amp breaker in my "hotbox" as he calls it. Moving onto duty cycles...if you overwork a welder beyond it's duty cycle (& you should know this if you're as good as you think you are), it overheats & shuts down. What good is that??!! My welds on the perches have held up wonderfully, thank you very much! With all the bouncing on the beach, they've had plenty of "road shock" put to them & have had no problems. I have 100% faith in them. Pity you feel you need to judge me based on **** you haven't seen nor know anything about! And I never asked for my "ego to be stroked". I appreciate constructive criticism when it's put in a proper text. You just decided to unload on me in rude fashion so I gave it back. The settings I used were based on internet findings. I was merely asking someone whom I THOUGHT had more experience in welding but it seems the only experience you have is downgrading people to perhaps "stroke YOUR ego". Forget I asked anything!! Go **** yourself!!! I'll remove my membership!!
Reply:Your asking very basic questions but have been welding on very critical parts of an object that can kill many people. Mig is one of the worst processes for an inexperienced welder to successfully learn by themselves without any kind of destructive testing. And most of us would not be very excited to get that mediocre to average deal you obtained on that tombstone.
Reply:Originally Posted by vwguy3Sprinkle some parmesan cheese on it DJ.....it's yummy
Reply:Welds always hold ...until they don't.and....How do you remove membership?
Reply:yikes!i.u.o.e. # 15queens, ny and sunny flaMiller has a phone app, or a sliding card that will get you to a starting point.  Many times I will set the voltage and dial the speed up or down while running a test bead after the initial setting is set. If it's not hot enough, bump up the voltage and repeat.
Reply:whatever happened to one hand running a bead on scrap while using the other hand to dial in your settings?i.u.o.e. # 15queens, ny and sunny fla
Reply:Well this was interesting.
Reply:What has this world come to? Hf welder and a very indicative lack of knowledge welding critical stuff. That's like me printing out a medical degree and prescribing drugs because the names sound like the symptoms.  I'm sad for what welding is coming to. Thanks you tube.Powcon 300st (my favorite)Miller Goldstar 600ssLincoln Idealarc 400/400Miller 12vs2 LN25'sMiller Deltaweld 302Miller Bobcat 250 G EFIMiller Bobcat 225d Plus (Dropped a valve, up soon)Everlast 255ext (ordering soon!)
Reply:My welder does not even list the volts or ipm on the front. Settings are 1-6 for volts and 1-100 for wire speed, both have high and low settings. I supose there is a graph somewhere that shows what each number is, but I've never looked at it. I use CEP's method. LolYeah, I know, but it'll be ok!Lincoln Square wave 255Miller Vintage mig30a spoolgunThermal Dynamics Pacmaster 100xl plasmaSmith mc torchEllis 1600 band saw
Reply:Lincoln says 50 amp time delay fuses or 50 amp breakers.
Reply:I think, as a newbie, that it would be helpful to hear advice as to what adjustments to make - if the bead is too bulbous, turn up the voltage - too flat, turn up the wire speed - that sort of thing, if it can be boiled down that way. Also, how much turn it up?  And what constitutes 'too high' or 'too flat.'  Photos? I'm sure there are a hundred ways that settings can mess a bead up - well, what are they?
Reply:Practice. Experiment. Experience. Cut and etch. Bend. Destroy.Powcon 300st (my favorite)Miller Goldstar 600ssLincoln Idealarc 400/400Miller 12vs2 LN25'sMiller Deltaweld 302Miller Bobcat 250 G EFIMiller Bobcat 225d Plus (Dropped a valve, up soon)Everlast 255ext (ordering soon!)