got a new job today

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Got a new job today at a little fab company. When I was doing the little weld test I noticed all of the welders were big lincoln commercial units with external wire feeders and they are using 045 wire. I had a lot of trouble getting the machine dialed in! No digital read outs and the numbers were all wore off of the dials. So my problem is that I no matter what I done I couldn't get it to lay down good lookin beads. They were all v shaped like I was running too fast and the puddle seemed way too hot .Any experinced welders got some pointers on dialing a machine in by feel? So far all I have users is millers with digital read outs and my little hobart...and they both have charts that get you pretty close to start with. Sorry no pics but a guy was standing over my shoulder the whole time. I wasn't happy with the welds but I guess I got hired because I'm good with prints.. but I still don't wanna be turning out crappy work and if I don't get it figured out they prolly won't keep me around long. I know I wouldn't!!!Thanks in advance!
Reply:Congratulations!Dynasty 200DXPassport plus w/ spoolmate 100victor 315c oxy/(act and prop)Miller digital elitemilwaukee power tools
Reply:You're in and that should be the hardest part if you can lay a good bead. Running the machine will happen and hopefully with a little shop help. Congrats!
Reply:When I dial in a mig (for short circuit) by feel, I set the voltage first.  Then run the gun with one hand and dial the wire feed with the other.Turn down until it's too slow and start turning up until it's where I want it.Then keep going until it it starts stubbing into the workpiece - that's too fast.  Write down your findings for each voltage setting.Good luck and congrats on the new job Dave J.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:Thanks guys!  I'm not gonna get rich there but its a job until I finish school and frankly I need all the mig experience I can get.
Reply:Congrats on the new job!!! I'm not experienced but I was taught to dial in the mig by listening to how it sounds, looking at how the wire burns off and by watching the puddle.It sound like you have a machine at home. Try to dial it in without looking at the settings. Weld on some scrap material and change the wire speed as you go. Try the extremes so see what will happen.PS. You might want to check this one out. It's how to set up the mig without any chart:http://www.millerwelds.com/resources...elding-basics/Last edited by Pete.S.; 04-24-2013 at 08:19 AM.
Reply:Congrats on the job!!  What kind of fab do they do?  Or if you don't want to say, what type of materials will you be welding on?  Just curious is all.  I'm not very far from you.
Reply:I will send ya a pm
Reply:[QUOTE=MinnesotaDave;2556061]When I dial in a mig (for short circuit) by feel, I set the voltage first.  Then run the gun with one hand and dial the wire feed with the other.Turn down until it's too slow and start turning up until it's where I want it.Then keep going until it it starts stubbing into the workpiece - that's too fast.  Write down your findings for each voltage setting.QUOTE]Thanks Dave. That's a very useful procedure. I was wondering that myself.
Reply:No problem, my first mig had no recommended settings for wire speed.  I have a bad memory and screwing around setting up is irritating.As a result, I wrote down the settings for each voltage tap and kept it in the welder by the spool I did this for each wire size and it worked out great - always had a starting point to look at.Dave J.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:So if your doing an outside corner and the puddle is like an inch long would you just back the heat down and start over?
Reply:My MIG doesn't have any kind of chart either so I always end up doing it by feel. Not wanting to risk lack of penetration, I always weld as hot as I can without blowing holes. I usually try on scrap of the same thickness I intend to weld and adjust acordingly.Not the best way, that's for sure. But I can't think of any better way to do it.Mikel
Reply:I assume you're welding fairly thin stuff < 3/16" with short-circuit MIG.Simple way to measure feed rate is to use a wristwatch and a tape measure. Hold the trigger for six seconds, then measure the amount of wire you have, then multiply by ten to get the inches per minute. Do this at 6 equally spaced places on the dial. Then get a magic marker, or a paint marker, and write the exact IPM settings right there on the dial.What kind of shield gas are you using? 75Ar / 25CO2?The optimal short circuit range for .045 is between 140 and 350 IPM...... unless you're using pure CO2, then you want to run it about 200 IPM and fine tune from there.Voltage should be between 15 and 19 volts for short circuit.Short circuit is notorious for producing lack-of-fusion and lack-of-penetration on items thicker than 1/16 or so.Not wanting to risk lack of penetration, I always weld as hot as I can without blowing holes.
Reply:At school they say if your too hot you won't get deep penetration. Doesnt make any sense to me, but that's what it says in the books. I usually tend to weld a little hotter with a little slower wire speed than other people tho. These cats are running 045 on 400 amp machines. I think they pretty well penetrate what ever they want to. Haha they also got a big shelf full of dual shield wire if needed.....oh and they use 75/25. Thanks for the input!Last edited by jamesyarbrough; 04-25-2013 at 08:32 AM.