Gas leaking out the tip

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Hi all, I'm new to the forum (and to welding) and I just bought myself a Lincoln Weld-Pack 155 230V welder.  I just finished converting it to gas and was all psyched to finish my Landcruiser project but as soon as I pull the trigger on the gun, gas starts whooshing out the tip.  It's welding and all just not clean.  Tons of splatter and not the clean splatter free welds i was getting in class.  After looking closer I can hear that the gas is coming out of the holes in the gas diffuser.  Some manufacturers make an insulator that covers those holes like Hobart but nothing like that came with my gas conversion kit.  Should the gas be coming out?  If everything is hooked up properly (and it is I triple checked) I should be getting clean welds without the gas pouring out the tip.....right?   Thanks!  -Lance
Reply:Lance,Did you change the mig gun polarity as well?  Gas is gun (electrode) '+' and your old flux-core would most likely have been gun '-'.  Unless I'm missing something in your description the gas IS supposed to be coming out of the end of the gun.  It's that gas that is taking place of the flux in the old flux-core to create the proper weld atmosphere.  With that said, the gas should flow only when the trigger is pulled.  Is that what is taking place?  If so, check and change the gun polarity if it's still gun negative.DuaneMM200 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:yeah i agree with duaneb check your polarity. it's very easy to overlook that when your excited or in a hurry.
Reply:Lance,It's covered under step 2 on page 23 in the manual at the end of this link.http://content.lincolnelectric.com//...r/im/IM792.pdfMM200 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:Do you have a gas nozzle or gas cone to direct the shielding gas towards the weld?DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:I did change polarity but after checking your posts I saw that the flow rate was cranked to the max, like 30+.  I turned it down to around 5 and that seemed to help a bit but still not as splatter free as I figured gas welding should be.  When I bought my tank the seller told me it was Argon/Co2 in there.  Is there a better mix out there that gives splatter free welds?  Thanks again -Lance
Reply:David here's the link to the conversion I bought: http://www.houseoftools.com/product.htm?pid=14340.  I guess that would be a gas nozzle?  Would it be better to get a gas cone?
Reply:No, that is what you need in the pic,  Set the gas to 15 and read up on how to mig weld.  The wire should be about 3/8" from the contact tiip when you are welding.  Keep at it and show us some pictures.Gas cone = gas nozzle.David Real world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Originally Posted by nedragerI did change polarity but after checking your posts I saw that the flow rate was cranked to the max, like 30+.  I turned it down to around 5 and that seemed to help a bit but still not as splatter free as I figured gas welding should be.  When I bought my tank the seller told me it was Argon/Co2 in there.  Is there a better mix out there that gives splatter free welds?  Thanks again -Lance
Reply:I agree that is the right gas, but what percent mix do you have. 75% argon 25% Co2? There are many different ratios of this mix, you should find out what you have.
Reply:Ed, I set it at 5 only b/c in desperation over the weekend (the only time I had to work on the project) I called a welder whose ad I found on Craigslist here in Portland who told me to set it at that.  He told me to raise it to 10 but that I wouldn't want to go over that.  About the mix,  I wish I did know the ratio but it was partially filled when I got it so I'm thinking the only way to really know would be to just take it down and get it re-filled.   It's kinda unfortunate b/c my welding instructor wasn't real forthcoming with information.  Not that he was trying to hide things, but it's just that he was an old guy who wasn't real verbal and spoke real quiet so now I have just a basic knowledge and the small things have escaped me.  Because of that I sure appreciate all your responses!  -Lance
Reply:No problemo Lance-duanne posted a link to the Manual so you should be set-As you can see 5 CFH is too low and well 10 is quite low also- hmmm unless whomever you spoke with was talking in Litres/min  or L/mn My gauge has readings for both-- just make sure you are looking at the correct Line on the dial Cubic Feet per Hour or Litres per Min10 L/mn = roughly 20 CFH  and that is more where you want the Gauge set.The gas is most likely C25  75% Ar/ 25% CO2  as it is the common MixEd 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:Thanks again Ed, and after double checking my gauge it's in L/min.  So I wouldn't want to go past 15 or so?  I can laugh now but before I posted my thread the needle was buried past 30 L/min and with the whooshing sound coming out the tip I thought maybe the tank was going to blow up or something!  I'll try and post some pics of my work when I'm done but try not to laugh to much when you see it....
Reply:Litrers per minute divided by .472 = CFH, so 5 or 6 is close.6/.472=12.7 CfhOR 15 CFH * .472 = 7.08 LPMHere is the link for the formula http://www.arc-zone.com/index.php?ma...oducts_id=4915DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Originally Posted by nedragerI can laugh now but before I posted my thread the needle was buried past 30 L/min and with the whooshing sound coming out the tip I thought maybe the tank was going to blow up or something!