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MIG welder question

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by DanStew, Apr 9, 2006.

  1. Apr 9, 2006
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
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    I am guessing this is a result of me using Flux core wire, but when i weld, sometimes the little booger-dot-slag thingys will mess with my ac and cause the arc to jump from where i am going to the little Dots to make them larger and then i get off track. Does this happen to others? I am working with a small 110V MIG welder with all the juice turned up, but i cant seem to make it at times just go where i am pushing the puddle. Only other cause i can think of, and it is probably bad of me, i am using the original outer metal housing on the MIG gun, and it is rough from a few years of use, so i am also thinking the slag is going up into the nozzle and contributing to this. So bottom line, is there anything really to do, besides get a new out nozzel, or start using Argon.
     
    DanStew, Apr 9, 2006
    #1
  2. Apr 9, 2006
    DKillam

    DKillam Sponsor

    San Angelo, Texas
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    I think you're on to something there with the nozzle (contact tip) suspicion. A guy I know replaces a nozzle quite often. I figure a couple year's use is about 1 1/2 years too much. :)
     
    DKillam, Apr 9, 2006
    #2
  3. Apr 9, 2006
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
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    yeah i know. i do repalce the bronze inside tip, but it is the outer cover that is cruddy. now i have to find out which cover will fit the campbellhasufeld welder
     
    DanStew, Apr 9, 2006
    #3
  4. Apr 9, 2006
    neptco19

    neptco19 That guy....

    Athens, GA
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    Also might wanna make sure that the metal your welding is really clean.
     
    neptco19, Apr 9, 2006
    #4
  5. Apr 9, 2006
    w3srl

    w3srl All-around swell dude Staff Member

    Port Orange, FL
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    X2.
     
    w3srl, Apr 9, 2006
    #5
  6. Apr 17, 2006
    Monkeyman

    Monkeyman Jeeper and Fast Boater

    East Troy WI
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    Clean the metal as stated, run gas (argon) if you can. And you should not be runnin that welder at full output. Maybe try running the next smaller size wire, and then you can turn down the welder. Good luck and hope it helps. Zach
     
    Monkeyman, Apr 17, 2006
    #6
  7. Apr 17, 2006
    Mcruff

    Mcruff Earlycj5 Machinist

    Albertville, AL
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    Try using a can of anti-spatter with flux core to help keep everything cleaner, works good!
     
    Mcruff, Apr 17, 2006
    #7
  8. Apr 17, 2006
    52-willy

    52-willy New Member

    claremont nh
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    the cover is just a gas shield it directs the gas to the weld uneeded when using flux core

    i dont have one on my snapon 110 cause it takes shorter tips than i have
    im switching to gas when i have the coin for a regulator/bottle

    gas welding is so much better

    anti splatter spray is to keep splatter from building up on the gas shield and restricting gas flow i dont think it's gonna stop slag from contaminating the surface in front of the weld
     
    52-willy, Apr 17, 2006
    #8
  9. Apr 19, 2006
    NoFlyZone

    NoFlyZone Member

    Ridgeville, SC
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    First, get the correct nozzle and tips for what you are using(flux core). You would have problems forever without the right tools. Second, your heat is probably too high. Third, I would say that you should be pulling not pushing with fluxcore. Basicly what you are doing by pushing your puddle is pushing used flux (aka slag) into your fresh puddle. Some recommend pushing when welding verticle. My guess is that the third one is your problem.
     
    NoFlyZone, Apr 19, 2006
    #9
  10. Apr 19, 2006
    termin8ed

    termin8ed I didn't do it Staff Member

    Mason, MI
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    Probably doing it because its a short circuit process and the path of least resistance applies to current. If the path of least resistance is to that little glob of weld just to the side, thats the way its going to go.
    Gas will help eliminate the splatter so you don't have the problem.
     
    termin8ed, Apr 19, 2006
    #10
  11. Apr 20, 2006
    66cj5

    66cj5 Jeep with no name

    NorthWest Indiana
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    also smooth up the tip to keep the sparks from sticking to it.
     
    66cj5, Apr 20, 2006
    #11
  12. Apr 21, 2006
    Dummy

    Dummy I kick hippies

    Escondido, CA
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    Gas won't totally eliminate the splatter, but it will cut it down a whole bunch. Pretty much what everyone has said: use brake cleaner to clean the metal you're welding. If it's tubing, clean the deburr the inside of the tube about 1-2 inches down as well as the outside. Run some anti-splatter spray (from the welding store or you can just use Pam) on your tip. Make sure your tip matches your wire size. If it's really bad, try turing your wire speed down and your heat up.

    I'd just bite the bullet and pony up for a CO2/Argon mix tank. I hate flux with a passion.
     
    Dummy, Apr 21, 2006
    #12
  13. Apr 21, 2006
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
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    Actually the idea of smoothing out the outer tip is good, i do not it is really rough, and could attribute more than its share of it, because i tend to go a bit to close to the wrkpiece.

    Yeah i have to save up for the gas bottle. Fortuantely i am just abotu to cash in my piggy bank, maybe i will ahve enoguh :)
     
    DanStew, Apr 21, 2006
    #13
  14. Apr 21, 2006
    John A. Shows

    John A. Shows Comic Relief

    Mendenhall...
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    Not a welder but I have done it a time or two, and I had to adjust the speed of the wire to match the speed of my weld and the setting on the welder. If the wire is coming out to fast, I get a bouncy, spotty weld.
     
    John A. Shows, Apr 21, 2006
    #14
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