Basic welding questions from a rookie

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I recently started mig welding. I have a HObart Handler 180 220 v. I am in the process of building a bbq smoker. I am using Hobart .035 flux core wire. My welder has 4 voltage settings. I have read where the chart on the welder is a good starting point. Right now i am welding 3/16 and 1/4 " steel and using the 3 setting with a wire speed of 50. I think some of my welds look ok but others not so much. I am using a circular technique going left to right. How should i know if i need to increase/decrease wire speed or turn my voltage up or down??? The tubing had a fair amount of surface rust and i got as much off as i could with my wire cup brush. But on some of the welds i noticed a crackling sound. Im assuming this is because of the dirty surface. The whole bbq smoker rig is going to be pretty heavy so i am wanting these welds to be strong,,,but im not sure how to tell? The rig will probably never make it onto the road but if i were to need to haul it somewhere i would like to peace of mind that it would be safe. Here are some pictures of a few of the welds. Thanks
Reply:Originally Posted by bnew17I recently started mig welding. I have a HObart Handler 180 220 v. I am in the process of building a bbq smoker. I am using Hobart .035 flux core wire. My welder has 4 voltage settings. I have read where the chart on the welder is a good starting point. Right now i am welding 3/16 and 1/4 " steel and using the 3 setting with a wire speed of 50. I think some of my welds look ok but others not so much. I am using a circular technique going left to right. How should i know if i need to increase/decrease wire speed or turn my voltage up or down??? The tubing had a fair amount of surface rust and i got as much off as i could with my wire cup brush. But on some of the welds i noticed a crackling sound. Im assuming this is because of the dirty surface. The whole bbq smoker rig is going to be pretty heavy so i am wanting these welds to be strong,,,but im not sure how to tell? The rig will probably never make it onto the road but if i were to need to haul it somewhere i would like to peace of mind that it would be safe. Here are some pictures of a few of the welds. Thanks
Reply:Next time, please shrink your pics down a bit so that we may read your full texted message better.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:Sorry about that. Ididnt realize the message was messed up when i previewed it. Here it is again, hopefully better.  I recently started mig welding. I have a HObart Handler 180 220 v. I am in the process of building a bbq smoker. I am using Hobart .035 flux core wire. My welder has 4 voltage settings. I have read where the chart on the welder is a good starting point. Right now i am welding 3/16 and 1/4 " steel and using the 3 setting with a wire speed of 50. I think some of my welds look ok but others not so much. I am using a circular technique going left to right. How should i know if i need to increase/decrease wire speed or turn my voltage up or down??? The tubing had a fair amount of surface rust and i got as much off as i could with my wire cup brush. But on some of the welds i noticed a crackling sound. Im assuming this is because of the dirty surface. The whole bbq smoker rig is going to be pretty heavy so i am wanting these welds to be strong,,,but im not sure how to tell? The rig will probably never make it onto the road but if i were to need to haul it somewhere i would like to peace of mind that it would be safe. Here are some pictures of a few of the welds. Thanks Attached Images
Reply:AM Welder. Got ya. I have to go get a trailer jack this afternoon. I will pick up some flap disk. I didnt know any better, The reason i am using .035 wire is thats what the chart on my welder called for and what had been reccomended for me. I will also be welding 3/8" plate for my firebox.
Reply:That's alright I really didn't know any better before I started getting big into welding.Hmm that's odd. I'd have to look at one of mine out in the shop to know what it called for. I'd pick up a few grinding wheels as well if you don't already have some. Also, just curious, what brand of wire are you using?-Pat
Reply:I am using Hobarts Flux Core wire .
Reply:Originally Posted by bnew17I am using Hobarts Flux Core wire .