Wire Welding Problem - Advice Needed

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Hello all,I have used a stick welder for many years under the direction of my father who is a certified welder.I deceided that I would purchase a Hobart wire welder for use in my own shop and so far the welds I have made have been satisfactory and inconsistant in quality.The problem I seem to be having as opposed to stick welding is the size of the nozzle seems to block my vision of the weld pool at times, which means I loose control of the type of weld I am wanting.Any advice as to what I am doing wrong ? With the stick welders I can clearly see the weld pool making it easy for me to control the weld, this is really a problem when welding two different thickness of metal, where you need to burn deeper into the thicker piece and just wash the molten pool up on the thinner piece of metal. To summerize I think my problem is just not being able to see the weld pool because of the nozzle blocking the view.Any tips, advice or help would be greatly appriciated.Pete
Reply:Are you using flux core or solid wire? If flux core, just take off the nozzle. You don't need it for flux core. Just use anti spatter liberally and make sure the gas diffuser doesn't get plugged up for when you go to gas.Solid wire and gas?? Try pushing the weld. You have to pull or drag with flux core, but solid wire and shielding gas will let you push the weld pool. That would put the pool out in front where it may be easier to see. Always try to weld from side to side when visibility is a problem. Now in the real world that may not always be possible, but use it when you can. Keep the stickout at a constant size ( usu around 3/8 to 1/2" ) and use the correct gun angle ( 90 deg to joint with a 5-10 deg tilt opposite the direction of travel when pushing the bead or the same deg in the direction of travel when pulling or dragging the bead ). Many times when guys complain about visibility troubles, it is due to improper welding form. You have to be able to see, that is a must.  Keep everything lined up and you should be able to see better. Hope this helps.Don
Reply:Sorry, I should have said I am currently using flux core wire. When I have been able to see the weld pool I have made some nice welds, when vision of the weld pool has been a problem, well you guessed it the welds while ok, are not satisfactory. I will try your suggestion of removing the nozzle for flux core and see how that works.I am not sure that I understand the weld angle issue though. 90 degrees to work surface make sense in most cases but the other angle you mentioned leaves me somewhat confused.This was never an issue when stick welding. Always seemed like I had more control and better sight of weld pool when stick welding even from my very first weld many years ago. I really hope to overcome this problem as I really like the wire welding and it does have it's applications. I was really happy with the welds I made with it when I construted a tailgate with an expanded metal floor for my 4-wheeler trailer. Smaller work and other angles are where this sight issue becomes a problem. Maybe just some more practice and removing the nozzle will help. I plan to pick up my gas to go to MIG welding in a week or so.Thanks so much for your kind and helpful response to my question. Sincerely,Pete
Reply:Originally Posted by petepopeI am not sure that I understand the weld angle issue though. 90 degrees to work surface make sense in most cases but the other angle you mentioned leaves me somewhat confused.
Reply:Hey, Thanks for the simplification on an issue that I was having problems understanding. I followed your directions with the line on the paper. I have been tilting the gun in the wrong axis, as was demonstrated in the way you explained to tilt the pencil and that is was the wrong way to tilt. I have alwaws tilted for dragging or pushing, etc, but without knowing it I was also tilting the gun the other way.Your response was very helpful and I can't wait to go down to the garage this afternoon and try that out.Both of you gentleman have been very helpful, I am not doing this for a living, as a hobby, but I desire to make the best, and good looking welds that I can make, I have the ability, but I really get fustated when I can not do it consistantly. I think you may have solved this issue. Thank you both for your kindness and taking the time to assist me in this manner.Sincerely,Pete
Reply:Originally Posted by enlpckTry this: draw a line on a piece of paper. This represents the joint. Put an arrow head at one end to indicate the travel direction.  Hold the pencil standing perpindicular to the paper. If you no tilt the top of the pencil in the direction of travel, this is dragging. If you tilt the other way (staying right over the line) this is pushing. 10 degrees tilt this way, as appropriate, is helpful.stand the pencil straight up again. Tilt the top sideways to the line, so the top isn't over the line anymore. This is the direction you don't want to tilt. Keep the gun 90 degrees to the weldment in this axis. When running a fillet in a corner or for a tee joint, etc, keep the gun angle centered. Tilt to give push  or drag is fine.