1st Generation MM200 with Spoolmatic 3 Welds

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Since converting a Spoolmatic 3 spoolgun (simple 14-pin to 4-pin plug swap) to work with my 1st generation MM200 I haven't had - or rather taken - the opportunity to give it a real test run so this afternoon I did just that by pulling the 180 SD over close enough to the 200 to allow using the 180's tank of argon and after cutting up a 7" x 7" +/- piece of 3/16" aluminum into practice coupons.It took a fews attempts to get the settings working not having run the two together yet and here's what I wound up with before I ran out of wire (only had a little left on the 1# roll):Voltage - #4 / HighWire feed - 4.5Wire - .035 5356Argon - 25cfhThe practice coupons 'before' and 'after' clean up for welding. As cut by the the Powermax 350.Butt weld.Fillet weld.A second pass fillet weld with a stop/startThere were a few more but after a several passes and adding a few pieces they were getting pretty hot and close to 'melt down' (see the Vise-Grip indentations in photos #3 & 5?) which obviously affected how it welded.  I thought about getting a fresh spool from TSC but refuse to pay almost $20 for a less than $6 spool of wire so I'll wait for my order to arrive from weldingsupply.com to play around with different settings.Thanks for looking and your critiques and suggestions are welcomed as always.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:So, how's the generator/trailer coming?Just giving ya a hard time ;-) Looks purrty by the way.MikeConstans Fides et IntegritasLincoln Weldanpower 150 ACAirco Aircomatic MIGet CAV II w/ spoolgunMillermatic 30a wirefeeder
Reply:Welds look good to me. How fast do you have to travel, compared to steel?Is 4.5 wirespeed fast, also compared to steel?FWIW: Since you have a TIG and a plasma: Someone quoted a plasma manual saying that a plasma cut edge, in aluminum, leaves a 'dirty' (oxidized??) edge for TIG and should be mechanically dressed as far as 1/8" from the cut. I swear on the internet. 9-11-2001......We Will Never ForgetRetired desk jockey. Hobby weldor with a little training. Craftsman O/A---Flat, Vert, Ovhd, Horz. Miller Syncrowave 250
Reply:Thanks Craig but see the faint porosity in the center of the bead in photo 5?  That's because things were getting REALLY HOT.  Probably could have cut back considerably on the voltage/wire feed by that time.Fast.  3 +/- times faster than steel.That would be 4.5 out of 10.  With a wire feed speed range of 80-950ipm that translates to something in the realm of 390-400ipm if I figured it correctly.Yes, the plasma cut edge of aluminum would be described as oxidized (photo 2) and I suspect it could be an issue for TIG welding if not cleaned up first.  Just the same, I dressed all the edges and surfaces with an aluminum designated flapper disc before welding with the SM-3.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 duaneb55Thanks Craig but see the faint porosity in the center of the bead in photo 5?
Reply:Originally Posted by Craig in DenverDo you use the parameter chart, alone? Or do you adjust by ear on a test piece after the initial parameter suggestion?
Reply:Originally Posted by duaneb55See the chart hanging on the unit?
Reply:Originally Posted by Craig in DenverYes, thanks. How old is that pic?