More questions about Short, Globular & spray arc transfer

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I just saw the great "sticky" post by ZTFab and the videos about the three modes of arc transfer.   Reading his explaination and watching the videos, creates new questions I have.  My "new guy" questions are (please be gentle, I'm really new and love this new hobby of mine).  Here are the questions:1) Do all GMAW machines do the above types of modes with just a simple adjustment of the wire speed and voltage controls?  Or are the "modes" of transfer something specific to different model machines?  2)  With my "little horsepower" Lincoln 140c machine, I strive to get that sizzling bacon sound and the "perfect" bead on all my home projects because so far that's what I've read and understand.  That  being said, depending on the steel thickness (obviously), I've heard my arc at times delivering a really "silent" type  of arc that is completely void of the "bacon" sound.  I just assumed that was a BAD thing, so I immediately stop welding and readjust the controls.   Am I correct in this line of thinking?  Or, is this "silent" arc known as the "spray arc" mode and can I keep welding or should I always strive for the sizzling bacon sound?Thanks for answering my uneducated new-guy welding questions.  Since I discovered this website and the experts here, I've learned sooo much and can't get enough welding done around the house.  Too many other wife projects to do. Lincoln Power Mig 216Lincoln AC/DC-225/125Miller  625 X-Treme PlasmaMiller 211 Forney 95FI-A 301HF 91110Victor Journeyman O/PMilwaukee DaytonMakita  Baileigh NRA Life Member
Reply:You'll have to wait till you get more horse power.
Reply:All migs with enough output power and the correct gas and wire size can run in all 3 transfer modes, though only short and spray are useful for welding.  Globular is too unpredictable.  Your machine is made for running in short circuit mode.  It doesn't have the juice to run spray.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Innershield wires do, however, run in Globular Transfer when used at the higher output levels common in industrial and architectural structures.City of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny
Reply:So do some of the larger outershield wires when running 100% CO2.  Ive ran 3/32 and 1/8 E-71-C wires and its quite an experience and takes a bit of getting used too.With the Lincoln 140 your not going to be getting spray transfer anytime soon, although spray is silent when setup correctly thats not what you are seeing.  Its not a bad thing if it stops making noise, just means that your wirespeed is probably set low resulting in longer open arc times.Last edited by sn0border88; 05-08-2010 at 11:12 AM.Have we all gone mad?