Author Topic: Quick help, Welding (Read 3194 times)

jrock · « **on:** Aug 06, 2009, 08:51:58 PM »

So I rented a Lincoln 125 from Homedepot and I'm having some issues. First, I have done VERY little welding. Okay, the issue is the welder doesn't seem to be putting out any juice. I have it on High AMPs and a moderately slow feed and the damn thing spits and splatters a ton. Then I can't get a decent bead to save my life.

The beads look like this. HELP because... HOLLY S@#T BATMAN!

jrock · « **Reply #1 on:** Aug 06, 2009, 09:05:42 PM »

I should also add it's running off of a 50ft extension cord. 14gauge.

junya92toy · « **Reply #2 on:** Aug 06, 2009, 09:30:40 PM »

first off, its volts and wire speed. wire feed and amps are the same on that welder. what size wire are you running and what type what polarity are you using, gas? The volts dig the hole. Plus more volts the flatter the weld will be, to point, if the bead is humped, turn the volts up maybe or try turning down the wire feed speed.

snowshoebrue · « **Reply #3 on:** Aug 06, 2009, 09:31:11 PM »

is it a mig/flux welder? you might have the polarity reversed if it is

junya92toy · « **Reply #4 on:** Aug 06, 2009, 09:47:49 PM »

and for the sake of safety practice on scrap first

jrock · « **Reply #5 on:** Aug 06, 2009, 10:01:57 PM »

.035'', no gas. Flux core. As far as I can tell I can't change the polarity.

Yeah, I checked for scrap and had none.

DeadlyPeace · « **Reply #6 on:** Aug 06, 2009, 10:07:36 PM »

If you open the side door there should be two thick cables with wing nuts. Usually have a + and - cut into the panel next to them. Swap them around. Should show on the inside of the door where they should be.

jrock · « **Reply #7 on:** Aug 06, 2009, 10:08:30 PM »

Quote from: DeadlyPeace on Aug 06, 2009, 10:07:36 PM

If you open the side door there should be two thick cables with wing nuts. Usually have a + and - cut into the panel next to them. Swap them around. Should show on the inside of the door where they should be.

The + is on the ground and - is on the gun. Should I change that?

DeadlyPeace · « **Reply #8 on:** Aug 06, 2009, 10:16:25 PM »

That should be correct.

Also from the looks of the thickness of the metal I'd said set it on C (heat range) and about 3.5 (wire speed).

jrock · « **Reply #9 on:** Aug 06, 2009, 10:21:50 PM »

So right now I have it at E and 3.5. Any lower ltter and it spats a ton. If I lower the feed it takes real long to pool.

DeadlyPeace · « **Reply #10 on:** Aug 06, 2009, 10:28:21 PM »

Two more things.

1. Check the drive wheel to make sure that the larger of the two groves in under the wire and lined up right.

2. Remove the wing nut on the spring load pressure arm and thighten down about eight full turns.

zippo · « **Reply #11 on:** Aug 06, 2009, 10:29:03 PM »

Before i do anything i would grind that crap out. In looks like it is cracked and has zero penetration. Welding over that it will never be right.

Why the hell are you running over a 50' 14G cord. I wouldn't run a drill off that. Get a new cord!

As far as spitting and such, Flux Core does that. Get better wire and it will help, but it will still spit alot.

Good Luck, take your time. With mig welders its all about the settings. You might also try renting a better welder from a different rental store.

junya92toy · « **Reply #12 on:** Aug 06, 2009, 10:31:25 PM »

change to 030 wire.

jrock · « **Reply #13 on:** Aug 06, 2009, 10:39:54 PM »

I'll pick this up in the morning and I will check all of the hints. Thanks for the input.

DeadlyPeace · « **Reply #14 on:** Aug 06, 2009, 10:42:55 PM »

Deffently don’t be welding over will not help. You will want to grind that completely off first.

The cord should be ok, but a heavier one would help.

Another thing to check is the wing nut for the wire wheel. Make should it's just lightly tight. Just enough to keep the wire from unwinding.

Jud · « **Reply #15 on:** Aug 06, 2009, 11:12:28 PM »

Rent a wire welder with gas if you can. Flux core sucks especially if you aren't very good at welding. The only time I use Flux core is for stuff like cast or welding spider gears because If you know how to weld with it and you have a small machine (like my Hobart Handler 140) you can get more penetration. It does take longer to pool than with gas and doesn't look very good until you chip the slag off.

crazykooter · « **Reply #16 on:** Aug 07, 2009, 01:43:05 AM »

I weld with a HF special which is not nearly as good as Lincoln but its more about tip angle, how close you are and the speed of which you move. I am not a good welder but I am learning little by little. Not that it compares but I run a wire speed of 7 on high. Here is a pic of the last weld I did. I was having same sort of welds when I 1st started too. I can say .o35 wire is too heavy for that machine. I run .030 flux core from a welding shop near me and it lays down much better. Some times too slow of a wire speed will cause the arc to become erratic since your gonna burn the wire so fast that you wont be able to keep the 1/4" distance u want. Tilt the tip at an angle so you can see your weld being laid down. If you start to see that your out running your puddle then dont stop just move your weld back to it and cont. Hope this makes sense as its 2 am and just woke up.

zippo · « **Reply #17 on:** Aug 07, 2009, 03:20:19 AM »

Just for reference. Some GOOD welds. The weld lays in, and needs no grinding "or paint" to look nice. At the edge of the weld you have the slighest lip just enough to catch for finger nail in. Shows good penetration. You can also see where the puddle was and how the weld was pulled, as well as the heat as it entered the metal. I cant stand a bad looking weld, and will cut it out and redo it. I wouldn't trust my life to the top weld pic.

<img src=http://oppiz.net/pics/yota/05152009/DSCN2678.JPG >

<img src=http://oppiz.net/pics/yota/Front%20Axle/DSCN2527.JPG >

<img src=http://oppiz.net/pics/yota/05062009/DSCN2632.JPG >

jrock · « **Reply #18 on:** Aug 07, 2009, 07:59:50 AM »

Shoot, Zippo, those are nice! So I turned the feed down and the letters up and it did the trick. Not nearly as nice as Zippo but 200% better than before.

MiniSimp · « **Reply #19 on:** Aug 07, 2009, 08:12:57 AM »

Just make your welds look like this:

I have no idea how though

jrock · « **Reply #20 on:** Aug 07, 2009, 08:14:59 AM »

HAHA! Riiiiiight. Maybe next century.

junya92toy · « **Reply #21 on:** Aug 07, 2009, 08:51:15 AM »

those beads are too far apart

Crawler677 · « **Reply #22 on:** Aug 07, 2009, 10:25:09 AM »

Quote from: jerry92toy on Aug 07, 2009, 08:51:15 AM

those beads are too far apart

hahaha, yerp.

From that first pic. i feel like your wire speed is too high. Also it looks like your all over the place (this happens when wire speed is too high because its always trying to push you away. go buy some metal at home depot or something and fiddle with your wirespeed and voltage. youll get it.

another thing to check is your line voltage. but this is rare.

jrock · « **Reply #23 on:** Aug 07, 2009, 11:06:08 AM »

Yeah, right on. The wire was trying to push away from the metal. Thanks.

zippo · « **Reply #24 on:** Aug 07, 2009, 02:50:32 PM »

look inside the case, and it should have a chart that will give you ballpark seetings. Might help

potter85 · « **Reply #25 on:** Aug 07, 2009, 03:09:21 PM »

remove the extension cord, go to a smaller wire turn the heat all the way up and adjust the wire speed accordingly run it uphill and if the metal is just too thick for the welder give it some pre heat

crwlntoy · « **Reply #26 on:** Aug 07, 2009, 07:44:58 PM »

Quote from: potter85 on Aug 07, 2009, 03:09:21 PM

remove the extension cord, go to a smaller wire turn the heat all the way up and adjust the wire speed accordingly run it uphill and if the metal is just too thick for the welder give it some pre heat
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junya92toy · « **Reply #27 on:** Aug 07, 2009, 07:46:23 PM »

So hows it coming along? Got any new pics?

jrock · « **Reply #28 on:** Aug 07, 2009, 08:05:30 PM »

Nah, I returned the welder this morning. I was getting much better welds after the adjustments thanks to you guys. I really need to buy a welder so I can practice all these different things. When you rent you just don't have enough time. I'll snap a pic of what I finish with.

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