Mig question

[handirifle]

Working on my trailer axle swap, and adding some much needed hooks for tie downs, I ran out of my flux core wire and had to switch back to gas shielded to finish for the day. The gas is an argon/co2 mix suitable for mild steel. I am almost out of gas (running out of everything it seems) but here was my dilemma. My welder is the same old Campbell Hausfield I have always had, and when welding the smaller stuff, like 1/8" to 1/8" I could run a very nice even bead, but as I move up to heavier stuff, adjusting the power as I go, it seemed like the wire would melt into a little glob but not at the point I was welding. Is this an indicator of low amperage or too slow wire speed?

In addition the arc would seem to jump from one side to the other, instead of right in front of the tip. I did remember to reverse the polarity from the flux core setting.

My welder has infinite variability for wire speed, and 4 power settings, Hi/Lo, 1/2, in other words, Hi-1, Hi-2, or Lo-1, Lo-2. When going into the thicker stuff, it was set to Hi-2, and the 1/8-1/8 IIRC was Lo-2.

I cannot afford anything heavier right now so this is what I have to live with, but would appreciate knowing what I was doing wrong, if ya can help.

Thanks

Aww crap, just realized I posted this in the wrong section. I thought it was going in the welding section. Could a moderator please move this?

 

[mrmikey]

Without knowing the specs of the machine it sounds as if it's to small....Mike

 

[handirifle]

It is a small machine, 110v, rated to 90 amps on the 20 amp circuit. I usually use flux core (got a new 10lb spool yesterday) because it penetrates deeper and lets me do slightly larger jobs. It's a lot messier, but no more than a stick welder I figure.

So you think what I described was too little amperage? Kinda how it was feeling.

 

[Ed of all trades]

Sounds like the wire feed is a little slow crank it up a little and see if it helps

 

[tmsoko]

Sounds like the wire feed is a little slow crank it up a little and see if it helps

I had similar problems with my Lincoln SP100 110v mig years ago. I was shocked at the difference when I installed a dedicated home run 20 amp circuit for the welder. Don't take the breaker for granted, the wire may run all over the house adding wire length.

Now, for my Precision Tig 275, I have a 90 amp circuit on 4awg wire - not making the same error twice!

 

[handirifle]

The wire is #12 romex, and is a dedicated line for the welder only. Its in my shop and I know exactly where it goes, cause I wired it myself, including the 20amp receptical at the end. There is only one receptical on the entire line.
I did this to insure full power was available for the welder.
I suppose I could throw my ampmeter on the line to see what it is actually drawing. I wonder if it would help to upgrade the line to #10 romex? Its probably about a 45ft run. I made a second identical setup on another wall in case I needed to move the welder.

About a yr ago I added a longer power cord. The original was a 6ft #14 cord. It is now a 12ft #12.

 

[handirifle]

Sounds like the wire feed is a little slow crank it up a little and see if it helps

I missed this post last reading. I did wonder if it could be that simple, but didn't try it...duh! Should have. Ggoing from say, 35 amps to the full 90, and with wire speed on 2.5 or so for the lower amps, how much of in increase would you try? I only ask cause the gas is about 90% or more, gone and that affects the weld too, as I am sure you know.

 

[TraderMark]

Sounds like slow wire speed to me too. You have enough amperage that it's melting the wire too far back when it contacts the piece. Crank it on up and you should be fine.

Hope this helps.
Mark

 

[IslandTractor]

Sounds like slow wire speed to me too. You have enough amperage that it's melting the wire too far back when it contacts the piece. Crank it on up and you should be fine.

Hope this helps.
Mark

Agree.

 

[J_J]

How come this thread is still floating around in the hyd forum.

Is there a moderator that can put it in the correct forum, such as welding.