My first MIGs

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My first ever MIG welds (or any weld for that matter)  Just got the Lincoln Mig-PAK 140, and picked up a tank of C25. Three on the left are with the flux core, couldn't see much of anything while trying to weld. The rest are with the gas. Looking for tips and/or comments. I think I got decent penetration on most of them?Cheers -
Reply:Why couldn't you see much of anything?
Reply:There wasn't a nice pool to try and follow or anything. I tried to keep a straight line and steady arc, but didn't do a very good job lol. That's why I'm here I guess... to learn how to improve
Reply:Your mig beads are looking nice.   With the fluxcore, drag the gun and watch the puddle.  You need to see well enough to differentiate between the weld puddle and the liquod slag.   If you're using a gas nozzle with the fluxcore, that will contribute to not being able to see the weld that well.  No gas nozzle is needed with fluxcore, so you can take it off the gun.   I'm guessing Lincoln probly has a diffuser shield available for their gun when used with fluxcore to protect the diffuser from spatter and allow use without the gas nozzle, as Miller does for their guns.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Yea, I used the flux core nozzle with the gasless wire. Smaller diameter than the gas one, and the weld tip sticks way out of it. Should I be pushing or pulling with FCAW? In the pics, I was pushing on all of them. The FCAW is also .035 whereas the GMAW wire I used is .025" (with the correct tips used for each).
Reply:Congrats on the new machine and as DesertRider33 stated, flux cored is done with what is commonly referred to as 'drag' (what you called pull).  There's a saying - "drag if it's got slag" to help you remember.In addition, weld output poloarity needs to be correct for each process.  Electrode negative (EN - straight polarity) for flux cored and electrode positive (EP - reverse polarity) for solid wire with gas.Aside from having all the parameters right, the key is practice, practice, practice.  Have fun and enjoy the new machine.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:Originally Posted by DageonYarThere wasn't a nice pool to try and follow or anything. I tried to keep a straight line and steady arc, but didn't do a very good job lol. That's why I'm here I guess... to learn how to improve
Reply:Originally Posted by FRANKENSTEINOne thing I try to tell everyone when they start MIG welding is to get your face (with a shield on of course) right down in the weld.  If you can't see what you're doing you're not going to get any better.  I'll bet when you're right there, provided you got the right shade lense in your helemt, that they come out looking better.