Having to weld FAST for aluminum MIG welding

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I've got a hobart handler 140 that I bought to do small aluminum projects mainly on my boat. The machine does well with everything that I need it to do so far. Several people I talked to before getting into aluminum mig welding said just turn both knobs all the way up on the welder (voltage and WFS) and just weld "fast". Thats what I've been doing, and it works, but to get a good bead I have to weld really really quick. Its hard to keep my hand stable and the same distance from the metal when moving that fast. If you slow down it just burns through. I'm mostly welding 1/10, 1/8, 3/16 aluminum. I'm just wondering if this has been anyone else's experience with these welders, or if yall have been able to adjust the settings and weld slow. When i turn things down seems like i get alot of burnback.
Reply:Were these people weldors?lol..Machines have adjustment knobs for a reason...to adjust them for certain apps...If you never had to adjust it, wouldnt it just have an on/off switch?Try going to half on the volts and then adjusting the wire till it welds right...
Reply:These people were professional welders. Several of them work at the local welding supply store, the other is a 25 year experience vocational welder. As far as steel goes, all the knobs and adjustments are still appropriate. They just said for aluminum, its tough to weld with these small MIGs and the best way is to just turn the knobs up and weld fast. I'd like to know if anyone else has aluminum experience with these small welders.
Reply:I assume you're using your Handler 140 with the spool gun that was made for that machine.   You should be able to get ahold of a wire speed and power chart for that machine that shows where to set it for various wire types, sizes and material thicknesses.  Try setting it to those settings and welding.  You will have much more control over the weld that way.  If you can't get ahold of a chart, then just experiment with different settings on some practice pieces and learn the machine.  This business of cranking it all the way up and welding like the dickens is for the birds.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:To do alum with that machine you will need to run near max and have the wire set very high. That machine is limited in power and alum requires a fair amount of heat to weld. That said you still have some adjustment to work with. You do need to go fast with alum compared to steel. Also the sound the machine will make to do alum will sound more like a hiss than the bacon frying sound you need for steel..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:Another quick hint, if u do a couple pretend passes, move your hands with the gun along the joint to be welded, its like muscle memory and it helps with the control. Aluminium welding is way faster than steel but it still requires the heat to be set correctly for its application. Do a couple practice joints and bust them apart at differnt settings to help you learn what your machine can do.  I am suprised your wire isnt stubbing out when you have the wirespeed turned all the way up.Nothing Ever Got Done By Quitting, Never Give Up.
Reply:There is No Spool Gun for the HH140I imagine yer weldin' friends know their stuff and just made a general statement- which is about as close to the truth for that machine as can be; the 120v Migs are somewhat limited in adjusting- or rather when welding Aloominum they are Maxed out so there isn't really any room to adjust anyway- can't turn to 11If you look at the Chart inna manual you'll see only 2 settings3/90 for 16g4/90 11gNo suggestions for thinner because Mig is a poor choiceNo suggestions for thicker because it is really out of the HH140's range.Sure, you can adjust up/down but yer gonna be right around there so we are back to the advice yer friends gave you for these 120v migsEd 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