Big time beginning, need some help

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I recently received a lincoln 3200 mig welder, granted not the greatest of welders but for what I have in mind I imagine it would get the job done. I watched quite a few videos, but I cant seem to get my welds the way i want them. They are always so buldgey and tall. I can't seem to do that low dime look. I tried different combinations with voltage and wire speed, different effects occured but I still am not that close to what I've seen migs look like. I'm using a co2 argon mix and the air is coming out around 23-25ish. Here is a picture of my sad welds, I've only been at it a few hours, but I would just like some guidance in the right direction from you pros. Thank you, any advice is appreciated. Oh and i sanded the spots i welded too btw.
Reply:it looks like you have too much wire speed or too low voltage. also you should grind the metal clean that you intend to weld on. when you are setting your machine start the arc and then adjust the wire speed until it sounds like bacon and eggs cooking. good luck
Reply:What wire size and settings?  For that I'd guess you want to be on "C" or "D" on the "heat",  Wire speed with .023 wire at about 7 or so, with .030 about 3 to 4.You may be moving too fast, try slowing down if the settings on the door are close to what the machine is set at.BTW don't expect that dime look with Mig. Most mig welds look smooth not the rippled dime look of tig welds. It is posible sometimes to get that look, but you are a long way from having the skills to do that.Also please resize the picts first. It's hard to read your post when the text gets chopped because the picts too large..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:The 3200 is a good little machine if used with in it's capabilies. I have only used mine to run flux core wire. But a quick glance at the door chart shows when running hard wire and gas it's only good to about 14 gage. When running flux core (035) the chart goes up to 1/4" but that is kind of streching it. I do know that it will weld 10 gage all day long when running flux core and down to 20 gagish. The 3200 gun is shipped with a 030-035 liner, so unless you want to change the liner .025 wire is kind of out. So that is my suggestion, go out and get you a roll of NR-211 swap the polarity and have at it. If you don't like the looks of the FC weld just grind them smooth. Your welds look coldDaKK
Reply:You don't need to change the Liner. You just need to change the Tips and make sure the Drive Roll is in the correct position for the wire you are using.Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:As mentioned these little 120v Machines need all the help they can get when running Solid Wire, more so when out of the Range.Clean the tubing, set the machine to D and adjust the wire speed.Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:thanks, the wire is .30 i believe, I'll try adjust the voltage and wire speed and go a little slower see how it comes out. thanks
Reply:wow thanks a lot, i took you guys' advice and it came out a lot better, i'm still a ways to go, but the welds got a lot more smooth and stuck to the metal much better, got a real good penetration. heres a pic of my boredom. I have one last question, when i tried welding two pipes together i kept burning through the metal, if I lower the voltag the welds come out crappy again? I'm normally using voltage "D" and wires speed at 3.5. Am I just supposed to tack all the way around the pipe, one tack at a time? or is there a trick in not burning the metal that someone can share; thanks. Just trying to work my way to building intercooler and exhaust pipes.
Reply:The Pipe is very thin so yeah you'll have to use a stitch method. .023 wire will help as wellEd Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:Ought be a law against MIG weldersThey take all the pain, heartache, dissappointment, and angst outta learning to weldIT'S NOT FAIRNo slag, no huge billowing clouds of smoke, and rod stubs to put holes in your tires"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:And please don't say "it stuck to the metal a lot better"Sounds like ya be usin'  a hot glue gun(LONG TERM EXPOSURE TO SHIELDING GAS CAUSES EXTREME HAIR LOSS) Attached Images"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:hahah okay i'll try to stay away from using that term
Reply:A high round bead means that the heat is too low, or travel speed a bit fast (not allowing enough heat into the metal because of the rapid travel)Ideally, you want a low profile flat bead.  A little rise in it, but about half what your pics show, maybe even less.Turn it up, slow down, and don't be afraid of burning thru.  You'll get the hang of the right travel speed and machine parameters.  Better to err on the side of too hot than too coldOnce you master the nice slightly convex bead, then look at the backside of the metal for a good heat signature.  Heavy blue color, or signs of near burnthrough.  You'll recognize it when you see it.  It's proof, other than destructive testing, that you're getting good penetration.MIG welds are famous for nice looks, but low penetration, unless done right.  Just because it looks good, doesn't mean it is good.  Check your heat"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:if you need more heat on thicker stuff, you'll do better with fluxcore than with solid wire. that room temperature shielding gas cools the puddle.
Reply:Originally Posted by djturbolenceI recently received a lincoln 3200 mig welder, granted not the greatest of welders but for what I have in mind I imagine it would get the job done. I watched quite a few videos, but I cant seem to get my welds the way i want them. They are always so buldgey and tall. I can't seem to do that low dime look. I tried different combinations with voltage and wire speed, different effects occured but I still am not that close to what I've seen migs look like. I'm using a co2 argon mix and the air is coming out around 23-25ish. Here is a picture of my sad welds, I've only been at it a few hours, but I would just like some guidance in the right direction from you pros. Thank you, any advice is appreciated. Oh and i sanded the spots i welded too btw.
Reply:No, im not kidding, pretty sure that was after 3 minutes of experience, just trying to get some advice here. Thanks tho for the advice farmersamm I'll try slow it down, since the heat is already at max, but i'm probably just moving to fast.