Well, that's an improvement!

"BaconSandwich is tasty." (baconsandwich)
07/10/2019 at 23:32 • Filed to: None

You guys and gals are geniuses. Sure enough, it turns out I had flux core wire in the welder which meant two things - the polarity was wrong, and I was using gas when I didn’t need to. I bought some solid wire during my lunch break, and gave it a quick test tonight:

That’s definitely looks better! I still have a bit of a wire feed issue, though. I picked up some new contact tips, but the one didn’t want to screw in nicely - I think the threads may be slightly messed up on the torch.

Also, I learned another important lesson: no exposed skin! Last night I was welding just with a helmet, gloves, and some sleeves, and got a sunburn on the inside of my elbow. Tonight I wore a jean jacket and gloves, but no sleeves, and still managed to catch a tiny sun burn between the glove and the sleeve of my jacked. Mental note made - always wear everything!

DISCUSSION (17)

lone_liberal > BaconSandwich is tasty.
07/10/2019 at 23:40

Pretty!

BaconSandwich is tasty. > lone_liberal
07/10/2019 at 23:44

I was probably moving a little slower than I should have - it’s a fairly fat bead (at least the one on the top). The ones on the bottom is where I experienced a bit of a wire feed issue.

just-a-scratch > BaconSandwich is tasty.
07/10/2019 at 23:44

That sure looks better than the boogers I make.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > just-a-scratch
07/11/2019 at 00:05

I've still made plenty of boogers, I can assure you of that!

lone_liberal > BaconSandwich is tasty.
07/11/2019 at 00:23

Still much, much better than the splatter fest that it made previously.

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > BaconSandwich is tasty.
07/11/2019 at 01:36

Much better...though they do have a bit of slag on then for you to chip off. Plus I’m not convinced there’s enough amps for that stock. However, a join would tell that story better.

Progress! Now go weld...

My uncle once welded whilst sitting on the floor, wearing short shorts , with his legs spread. He managed to get a sunburnt groin...

random001 > BaconSandwich is tasty.
07/11/2019 at 06:23

Those are pretty good for surface welds. I think you’ll feel better if you do some stitch welds instead.

Glad you got it all figured out!

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > BaconSandwich is tasty.
07/11/2019 at 07:22

Need more wrist action to really lay the nice beads:

Kinja'd!!!

Check the tension on the spool and the feed wheel setting ( generally they have different positions for different diameter wire ).

BaconSandwich is tasty. > lone_liberal
07/11/2019 at 08:23

Now I can actually get on with tacking together my welding cart!

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
07/11/2019 at 08:26

Ooh, pretty!

UserNotFound > BaconSandwich is tasty.
07/11/2019 at 08:53

I’ll give anyone props just for even doing MIG welding at all. I learned TIG back in the day and got pretty decent at it but MIG scares the bejeesus out of me. I always feel like it’s gonna light my hair on fire or something. And it’s too damn noisy.

CobraJoe > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
07/11/2019 at 10:02

Check the tension on the spool and the feed wheel setting ( generally they have different positions for different diameter wire ).

Is spool tension a significant setting? My used lincoln MIG was missing some pieces and can’t set the spool tension. How much of a problem is it if I’m running without those pieces?

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > CobraJoe
07/11/2019 at 10:19

The tension keeps the wire from looping around itself and sets preload for the feeder. Without it you can end up with a mess.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > UserNotFound
07/11/2019 at 11:02

I’ve tried TIG welding once, and I really like how clean it is. I figure if I really like welding as a hobby, then I can justify buying a TIG welder as well. :P

CobraJoe > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
07/11/2019 at 11:47

Ok, not a huge worry then. I’ve only had problems with looping when I was swapping over spools (and I wasn’t very careful about winding the old one up).

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > CobraJoe
07/11/2019 at 12:05

If you haven’t had issues thus far, it’s likely you’re able to keep enough tension with the nut to keep from having issue, so you should be fine.

MM54 > UserNotFound
07/11/2019 at 12:41

What are your thoughts on stick welding? :)