first crappy welds... stop in and have a laugh

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tried welding up some steel 1/8" (?) with a borrowed Marquette 110V welder using some flux core wire.First inside corner weld is hideous, figured out that the 'heat' setting seemed a bit too high... and oh yeah realized i don't know what i'm doing. Started with heat=1 and gradually moved up until it would spark on another scrap piece, then moved it one more notch. Then played with the speed setting... max speed is 10, I currently have it set right around 8. I can now seem to get a nice continuous sizzle. Realized that you need to really sit there until the puddle forms and move slow.
Reply:Try doing some welds on some flat stock first to learn how to work the puddle .  What type of machine do you have? So we can help out better .
Reply:A crappy weld does stink
Reply:Not really that bad- you stayed in a straight linebut you have learned to adjust the machine and now it just takes some more time under the hood.The 120v machines do max out at 1/8" though.They really need a clean area for the work clamp and might as well clean up the Joint too- they need all the help they can get.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:Pretty good, your on your way. Needs more heat.Good luck!
Reply:i am guessing it has the heat settings as A B C D, and the wire speed 1 - 10. put the heat to c or d and the wire from 1 to 3 depending on the machine, ( they all have a mind of there own) then once you get the consistent bead and sizzling sound, you know you got it in the right direction. i have a lincoln 100 HD and run flux core. .030 wire. for .125 material i would set it on C and 1.5 or 2. pull or push, what ever is more comfy for ya, and just keep the wire in the puddle. i like to weave a little, but that might just be me
Reply:Originally Posted by Hammerwelderi am guessing it has the heat settings as A B C D, and the wire speed 1 - 10. put the heat to c or d and the wire from 1 to 3 depending on the machine, ( they all have a mind of there own) then once you get the consistent bead and sizzling sound, you know you got it in the right direction. i have a lincoln 100 HD and run flux core. .030 wire. for .125 material i would set it on C and 1.5 or 2. pull or push, what ever is more comfy for ya, and just keep the wire in the puddle. i like to weave a little, but that might just be me
Reply:Turn that sucker up to the max, keep wire speed in the 20% lower end of the scale, and have at it.A slight movement between flat plate, and vertical plate works.  Look at the boundary between the molten puddle, and the cooling slag, to see how your puddle is working.  Don't be afraid to slow down.  Burnthrough is a lesser sin than a cold weldHOT HOT HOT, and DRAG DON'T WHIP"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Yep, too cold.
Reply:Originally Posted by farmersammTurn that sucker up to the max, keep wire speed in the 20% lower end of the scale, and have at it.A slight movement between flat plate, and vertical plate works.  Look at the boundary between the molten puddle, and the cooling slag, to see how your puddle is working.  Don't be afraid to slow down.  Burnthrough is a lesser sin than a cold weldHOT HOT HOT, and DRAG DON'T WHIP
Reply:Here are some measured wire speeds, counted 6 seconds for each, so there is some human error.wire speed setting: 3 - 40ipmwire speed setting: 6 - 120ipmwire speed setting: 10 - 140ipmThe switch for the wire speed seems a bit wonky. My intially run at 3 fed me about 16" in the 6 seconds I counted. went back and it fed 4" in 6 seconds. Odd.ESAB Heliarc 252
Reply:Try thisSet the wire speed at 4, and leave it alone for nowGet a piece of scrap, and run some flat stringersLook at the height of the beads, and then vary VOLTAGE (don't touch the wire speed)When you get a voltage that gives you a reasonably flat bead, then you can fool with wire speed to tweek it.At this stage of the game you really want to learn how to handle the torch.  90% of the bead is the torch and how you manipulate it.  Travel speed etc.This is the main reason I really strongly feel that stick welding should be learned before even considering wire welding.  Less settings to worry about, and more concentration on manipulating the rod and consequently........the puddle."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Originally Posted by BlauSchuhi figured it was too hot.... how much heat should i be using? Max heat setting is 7. When using that heat setting, I can't sit and wait for the puddle to form, i seems like I blow right through the thin metal. Most likely user error.second question, i cranked the wire speed right up 10. others have mentioned that it should be only on around 2. seems like with the dial on 2, the wire barely moves
Reply:Originally Posted by farmersammTry thisSet the wire speed at 4, and leave it alone for nowGet a piece of scrap, and run some flat stringersLook at the height of the beads, and then vary VOLTAGE (don't touch the wire speed)When you get a voltage that gives you a reasonably flat bead, then you can fool with wire speed to tweek it.At this stage of the game you really want to learn how to handle the torch.  90% of the bead is the torch and how you manipulate it.  Travel speed etc.This is the main reason I really strongly feel that stick welding should be learned before even considering wire welding.  Less settings to worry about, and more concentration on manipulating the rod and consequently........the puddle.
Reply:PM sent..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