spatter with 220 suitcase and gas

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I am new to welding and I need some help. I got a 220 suitcase welder, chicago electric to be exact. It came with flux core, which I am no good at. A friend of mine who welds for a living said to put gas to it and it will give me better welds. I did, and it improved a lot. Of course I am not using flux core with the gas, and changed the grounding settings inside the welder according to the manufacturers specs. I get a great weld when it starts to burn. But I get a lot of spatter till it starts to burn and even in between welds. I had the gas turned down to around 5 psi according to my landlords specs who has a large 220 lincoln, but I could barely get anything. I turned it up to between 15 and 20. It gives me more burn and faster. The settings on my welder arent difficult, I have 2 switches, one is level 1, and 2, the other is min or max. Then of course the wire speed. I have increased and decreased the wire speed, but it doesnt help. Any ideas would be great. I also thought maybe because I am using .23 wire with a .30 tip it might make i difference. My buddy said he would come play with it, but he is a rig welder for the oilfield and is 24 hrs on call, and busy as hell. So if someone has this welder, or any ideas help me out. I got a great deal on it, and really dont want to hear that it is junk. Like i said, the welds are great once it burns, but till then lots of spatter and burns on me. Thanks!
Reply:you just won't get perfect welds with such a basic machine.Dynasty 200DXPassport plus w/ spoolmate 100victor 315c oxy/(act and prop)Miller digital elitemilwaukee power tools
Reply:Lets see where do we begin?First post all the info please. Model of the machine? Can't look it up if we don't know. What kind of gas? 100%Argon, 100%CO2, 75/25 or some other mix? The gas can make a big difference. Picts are often a big help in understanding a problem as well. The more info we can get the less we have to guess at and the more help we can provide.Next, you need to use the correct tip sized for the wire you are running. That might be your issue possibly.  Last as said, with a very basic machine like that you can't expect great results under all conditions. You are severely limited in what adjustments you have to work with. Also quality control on those machines is a crapshoot. In some cases it could just be the machine itself..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:Sounds like you have too little voltage set for the wire speed setting.Set gas flow to 15-20 cfh.Use straight CO2, or Argon/CO2 mix gas with 15-25% CO2, and reverse polarity (DCEP, torch positive) with your steel mig wire and gas.Use a tip size that matches the wire size, so if you're using .023" wire, use an .023" tip.There is no reason why you shouldn't be able to get fluxcore self shield wire to run in that machine.  Fluxcore is the best choice for small machines with thicker metal.  Use straight polarity (DCEN, torch negative) with self shield fluxcore.  Pull/drag the torch for best results.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op