Beginner needs help MIG without gas

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HII have very little experience welding.  Many years ago I took a course in oxy/acetalene welding in college.What I am doing now is building an electric car and I need to build several racks to hold the batteries and a couple of other little things.  The plan in to make the racks out of old bed frames (1/8th steel?)So I bought a 110v MIG welder.  I don't have gas as apparently it is a bit of pain to get here in Ontario.  I have been practicing with the welder by making a 3 wheeled bike for my son.  It's not pretty!  The welds are a big bubbling mess of steel.  I am blowing some holes in the steel.  it seems that the wire comes out of the gun too quickly.  I tried turning the wire feed to the lowest setting.I am thinking I need to get some gas?  I can't make the weld pool as I am welding it.Advice please?
Reply:It would be nice if you could provide specifics like the brand and type of the wire.  Without that info, I would ask if you have your machine on the right polarity.  It should be on DCEN.  Also, turn your voltage up and your wire speed down if you can't get it to puddle up.
Reply:Sorry about thatI am using .9 mm flux core wire, it's what the manual recommends when not using gas.  I also am pretty sure I have the polarity correct, I read the manual.  It comes set up for gas welding and I changed the polarity to use it gasless.I thought I might have the voltage too high as I was blowing holes in the metal?I am going to try and get a small bottle of gas.  Is that possible/practical?
Reply:Since you say it comes set up for gas , yes its posible and practical. You will get nicer welds generally with gas but you need to work where there is little wind or breeze. C25 (argon/Co2) or 100% Co2 would be the gas you are looking for. You will need to change the wire and switch back the polarity.Post some picts of your welds, list what the machine is, what setting you have the wire set at, and what the power is set at. Then we can make some suggestions.BTW most bed frames are junk steel. You would be better off buying good clean new steel to build your battery racks with.
Reply:Heynow,Need somemore info.What is the thickness of the material you are burning through? If its thinner than your wire that could be a challenge. What direction are you welding push or drag? should be drag. How much wire stickout are you welding with? should be @ 3/8" (@10mm) from contact tip to the arc with flux core. Wire speed = amps more speed more amps, volts will change bead width more volts flatter bead, and wire stick out will change amps some what.  This is how is generaly works if gun angles are correct, and travel speed consistant. You should be able to weld 1/8" angle with the flux core wire. Sounds like you may want to PRACTICE on some other projects before you build something someone is riding in or on. My .02 worthHope this helpsWaldo
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWBTW most bed frames are junk steel. You would be better off buying good clean new steel to build your battery racks with.
Reply:Originally Posted by Heynow999So I bought a 110v MIG welder.  I don't have gas as apparently it is a bit of pain to get here in Ontario.
Reply:Look up info at the millerelectric.com education site and/or the lincolnelectric.com knowledege site on FCAW (flux core arc welding) that will get you started in the right direction.