1st Project: Saw/Grinder Table

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Ive had my HH140 for about a month and a half now. Finally picked up some steel and started building a table. I could also use some guide on how my welds are and what I can do to make them better.The actual table.  1x1x1/8 sq tubeGoing to use some 1/8 steel sheet that I have around as the top. Should have no problem supporting the saw and grinder.Here are some more of my welds on 1/8 steel sheets. I know I did something wrong because it was to easy to break those pieces. Im not good at the correct terms but I basically butted the 2 pieces together. Both pieces were cleaned of the rust but I didnt bevel the edge. Was running on setting 3 and wire speed 40. I tried on setting 4 and wire speed 45 but 8-10sec running and I blew the circuit breaker. Ive been practicing on the sheets because I have several of them from a job site that was tossing them out.
Reply:The bead itself looks fine but you aren't getting penetration into the parent metals which is why it tore so easily. You'll need a properly wired receptacle on a breaker that will handle the welder or you won't get solid welds.
Reply:I have since gone to my own circuit that is used only for my tools. I have yet to blow the breaker on setting 4.Though I am now out of flux core wire and have to decide if I want to get another 2lb roll, 10lb roll or plunk down the money for a bottle.
Reply:Those are cold welds. You need to set the welder according to the thickness of the metal you are welding.
Reply:In order to get the most out of the machine you'll need a circuit, wiring and socket which can handle the amperage requirements of the machine.  I had the same problem you are having when I had my little Lincoln 115v wirefeed welder.  Once I got it onto a 20amp dedicated circuit it did alright.I just wired in the 50amp 230v and a 115v 30amp (twist-lock) to run my Thermal Arc Dragster 85.  The TA was having problems with penetration running off of a 20amp circuit and would flip the breaker at max amps (on the 30amp dedicated circuit, it runs like a champ).  Now it's running well and penetrates properly.If you live in a residence where you can add in a circuit, do so...but do it properly and if you don't know what you're doing, bring in an electrician.  I checked out the specifications in the manual on the HH140 and it needs a 20amp dedicated circuit to run off of.--Wintermute"No man's knowledge here can go beyond his experience." - John Lockewww.improvised-engineering.comManufacturer Agnostic:Blood----------Sweat---------Tears----|------------------|----------------|----Lincoln Red, Miller Blue, Esab Yellow
Reply:Already brought in an electrician and he set me up with my own dedicated outlet in the garage. Running 10-2 wiring w/ 20amp breaker. Though currently I have to run an extension cord which is 12-2 to the other side of my garage. When it warms up Im going to have him put in another outlet next to the machine.Could the cold weather be an issue? its most likely close to 30degrees in my garage at most times.The metal is 1/8" and I have the machine set to the specs listed underneath the cover. Also because I ran out of flux core wire I have been looking at picking some more up. According to Hobarts website for 1/8" material I should be using .035 instead of the .030 that came with the unit. So I am going to pick some up and see how that goes.Last edited by Cabby89; 02-04-2010 at 12:59 PM.
Reply:Hi ya cabby89 yep all the above advice plus make sure the metal is cleaned well before you attach your ground clamp and torch  the metal. A poor or weak ground will also give weak penetration.  Consider adding a couple of cross supports toward the bottom of the table legs. The supports will prevent movement of the legs as well as providing a possible shelf for holding equipment.Co-Own CNC shop:Miller :1251 plasma cutter, MaxStar 700 TIG/Stick, & XMT 456 Multiprocess Welder.&  2 Hypertherm HPR260's Plasma CutterSorry I had a bad stroke but now I am back.
Reply:Ahh, okay, so the new circuit isn't blowing out at all.  If the metal is really cold, that could be a factor...you could try heating up the metal (at least to room-temp).  I had found with my little lincoln that when the weather was cold I could either up the output and get better penetration, or I could slow my wirefeed rate so that I had more heat build-up on the metal and would move a bit slower and get more pentration that way.  I'd try it out some setting variations when you get your new reel of wire.Try a few smaller test pieces and after you weld them, cut them across the weld and see how good your penetration is.  When you find a setting that's working well, use that --Wintermute"No man's knowledge here can go beyond his experience." - John Lockewww.improvised-engineering.comManufacturer Agnostic:Blood----------Sweat---------Tears----|------------------|----------------|----Lincoln Red, Miller Blue, Esab Yellow
Reply:Ok thank you for the advice. Going to give that a whirl.Yes I have some angle iron that is going to run the length for a shelf to add some support lower down. Did do that because I ran out of wire.