Newb, 110 Mig welding questions.

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Hi all, thanks for looking.I am new to welding and have no instruction.  I have a lincold hd 3200 110v welder.  I was practicing with flux wire, and seemed to do alright (sort of).  I wasn't liking all of the spatter and wanted a cleaner weld, so I picked up some gas today (CO2 / argon mixture ).Anyway, the problem I am running into is that when I try and weld with the new wire and gas, I notice the wire melts into a blob, travels up the wire toward the tip, gets heavy, and kind of drops off.  When it does I get a pop..... and this repeats.  I can't get a bead worth beans.  I tried higher voltage, lower voltage, increase wire speed, and decreased it.  When I increased the wire speed to something above the recommendation, I could keep the "blob" on the plate where I was welding, but a ton of splattering and more popping (instead of a sizzle).  I don't know what I am doing wrong.  Any pointers would be appreciated.
Reply:What size is the new wire? What size was the flux wire that came with your machine?Welcome to Welding WebYup
Reply:You gotta Change the PolarityEd 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
Reply:Originally Posted by Broccoli1You gotta Change the Polarity
Reply:I thought the polarity question would come up..... I did change it, first thing before trying to weld with the non-flux wire.About the wire size:flux:  .035" (0.9mm) Innershield® NR®-211-MP flux-coredThe other stuff: .025" (0.6mm) SuperArc™ L-56 mild steel MIG wire.
Reply:I love the L-56 stuff, Do the drive rollers in your machine have grooves for the smaller wire?Yup
Reply:Originally Posted by BurnitI love the L-56 stuff, Do the drive rollers in your machine have grooves for the smaller wire?
Reply:Ok-Polarity- Correct"I haven't looked to see if there is a stepped groove.... one for each wire... but I know there is at least 1 groove."The drive roll has two grooves; one for .023" – .025" (0.6 mm) solid steel electrode and a larger knurled groove for .030" (0.8 mm) solid and .035" (0.9 mm) flux-cored steel electrode. As shipped, the drive roll is installed in the .030"/.035" (0.8/0.9 mm) Ensure that the groove size in the feeding position on the drive roll matches the wire size being used.Make sure you are using the Matching Tip"The wire seems to feed fine."Check the Wire Feed by pointing the Gun at a piece of wood, the wire should curl when it hits the wood."I guess. The welder is supposed to handle .025-.035 as far as I am aware. Both wires came with the welder. The wire seems to feed fine. I haven't looked to see if there is a stepped groove.... one for each wire... but I know there is at least 1 groove."http://content.lincolnelectric.com//...r/im/IM759.pdfI forgotOne more thinghttp://www.hobartwelders.com/om/0900/o925d_hob.pdfThe Wire tension, wood thing is explained in a Hobart Manual.Last edited by Broccoli1; 03-13-2009 at 10:15 PM.Ed 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
Reply:Got it figured out.  It was a wire issue.  I went into the local welding shop today and ran it by them.  They were pretty sure it was my wire speed.  Came home and saw I was looking at the wrong place on the chart.  I bumped up my wire speed and now I am getting some AWESOME welds!!! I am so excited!  Thanks for your help.
Reply:Thanks for the feedback.  Sometimes we're left wondering. 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