newbie MIG questions

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I pulled the trigger yesterday and bought a HH190. I have never MIG weleded before but I have some gas and stick welding experience. As I start practicing with this thing, what's the optimal set up for learning on? Specifically, is it better to start with flux core or solid wire, C-25 gas or CO2, and can i get in trouble working with stock that is too thick or too thin?  I have a bunch of 3/16ths and 1/8th plate as well as 16 gauge sheet around. I am guessing starting on the 1/8th is probably the best?Also, is the Hobart wire any good? I have read a lot of posts here recommending people use good wire. Not sure if the Hobart stuff qualifies.
Reply:1/8" is a good practice material size. It's thick enough so you don't blow holes in it, and thin enough that it's not too expensive and well within the range of that machine. 3/16" would also work, but tends to be a bit more expensive to work with. Material thinner than say 14 ga gets a bit tougher to weld. If you plan to do a lot of sheet metal welding, starting out with 14ga is a good idea and then once you get that down, start going thinner as you learn to handle the heat so you aren't blowing gaping holes in the material.FC vs solid and gas... depends. It's easier to see the puddle with solid wire/gas. With FC wire you have to learn what is slag and what is the molten puddle, making it a bit harder to see the puddle and learn to read it. Gas mig has issues with the wind if you need to weld outside. On the other hand FC mig produces a lot of smoke you have to deal with if you weld inside.I'd look at the types of projects you plan to work on and choose the process that fits that best. If you can weld inside and don't want to do a lot of clean up for paint, or need to weld thin material gas mig is a good choice. If your projects will need to be welded outside, then FC mig is usually a better option..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:Originally Posted by Louie1961I pulled the trigger yesterday and bought a HH190. I have never MIG weleded before but I have some gas and stick welding experience. As I start practicing with this thing, what's the optimal set up for learning on? Specifically, is it better to start with flux core or solid wire, C-25 gas or CO2, and can i get in trouble working with stock that is too thick or too thin?  I have a bunch of 3/16ths and 1/8th plate as well as 16 gauge sheet around. I am guessing starting on the 1/8th is probably the best?Also, is the Hobart wire any good? I have read a lot of posts here recommending people use good wire. Not sure if the Hobart stuff qualifies.
Reply:Go with the gas mix.  We all had to start there at one time.   Just practice practice practice.   Watch Jody at http://www.weldingtipsandtricks.com   and "Lanse" on YouTube.  His channel is "ChuckE2009."   You can learn so much from those two if you can't go to a formal welding school.  I call YouTube, "U of Y."   "university of YouTube."  Also, I'm able to weld in light wind by placing crude wind guards up adjacent to my mig welding.  I also increase the gas pressure from about 20 to 25 CFH. Works very well.  Use cardboard, thin sheet metal or whatever clamped to your weld table or project, for a temporary wind shield.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:Gas mig on sheet metal like DSW says.    The chart under the hood will get you in the ballpark.  The current selector switch is your coarse adjustment, and the wire feed knob is your fine adjustment.On your setup weld, run a few inches. Then move your wire feed up a bit and weld, then down a bit and weld. You will find that sweet spot for your production work. Don't be afraid to go up or down in current from your setup chart. Some wires burn hotter or colder. Keep the nozzle clean and your stickout short.Good luck and have fun.Last edited by shovelon; 03-10-2013 at 10:01 AM.Reason: oldWeld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.