308L MIG wire balling up as I go

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Hey guys -So I have my tri-mix gas set to about 25 cfm, my Hobart Handler MIG is set to amps of 2 or 3 position.  I am welding a 18 gauge pipe just laying beads to get a feel.  I notice as I go that the wire is balling up big time - to about 1/16" or more diameter of molten glow.  What's the deal here?   What happens is, if I lay a bead its got good color and sound but I get about an inch in and then plop and zap.  I have  tried messing with wire speed from slow, to fast,  Fast almost seems to be better but I don't get as nice "color".  Any suggestions?
Reply:What size wire are you running?  what 308 are you using?   Pictures would help us....Last edited by B_C; 12-16-2011 at 02:30 PM.  Miller Dynasty 350Twenty Six HammersThree Crow BarsBig Rock
Reply:Size of wire and Machine being used, will make a big difference.  Does the Machine have a slope control on it.  JGSMAW,GMAW,FCAW,GTAW,SAW,PAC/PAW/OFCand Shielding Gases.  There all here. :
Reply:18 ga seems kinda thin for a mig on pipe?   Not being a pipe welder Im no pro but it seems to me the mode of welder would be tig on that thickness?  Miller Dynasty 350Twenty Six HammersThree Crow BarsBig Rock
Reply:25 cfm?  Sounds very high.  May not be your issue though...  Folks will want actual voltage/amps/feed rates to troubleshoot...just saying...-DaveXMT304 with: 22A Feeder, or HF251 Hi Freq DC TIG air cooled
Reply:sounds like a contact tip or liner issue if it feeds fine then messes upMiller Xmt 350Lincoln Ln-25Ahp 200xSmith Gas Mixer AR/HTig is my Kung FuThrowing down dimes and weaving aboutInstagram http://instagram.com/[email protected]
Reply:Stainless takes MUCH lower volts.  Turn the volts down until the wire starts shorting like it should.  You only need 15 cfh of gas.  My Passport has settings for stainless and for steel.  They are way different.  I will look today at the chart.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:my hobart has a settings chart under the cover. Mine is not an auto set though, so it is possible yours might now, but I would look under the cover and see! I find the chart gets me close, but then i like to tweak a bit hotter.miller syncrowave 250hobart handler 140home made 400 amp engine driven in progress...
Reply:Here is a link to the settings sheet in the miller passport.  I think its page 20 and 21.  Stainless runs a lot more wire speed and less voltage than the same size wire for mild steel.http://www.millerwelds.com/om/o1328l_mil.pdfDavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.