MIG welding help

[Outlaw]

I just bought a new SNAP-ON 135MIG welder and had a few questions about the feed. I know that you want to hear a sizzling sound while welding and not a popping, but I cant seem to find that sweet spot. I found a good heat setting for the body panel thickness on the XJ, but I slowly adjust the feed and it doesnt seem to matter how slow or fast it is I still get popping. Is it the type of wire, the amount of gas or power.. or a combination of the three? I have been ARC welding for a long time and this is my second time with MIG. Any help or advice would be much appreciated! Thanks!

[alwaysxj]

I have a flux core welder and it seems that if you turn up the heat and put the wire speed at 3 it burns it really well. Now you do have to go slow with the weld to get it burnt in first then just follow the puddle. for body work you want to do a stich weld and let it cool and jusmp around the pannel and eventually make one solid weld with all the little stich welds. if it were me I would still leave the heat high and the speed at 3 for everything just go slow. hope this makes any sense I have had a couple beers....

[Outlaw]

I have a flux core welder and it seems that if you turn up the heat and put the wire speed at 3 it burns it really well. Now you do have to go slow with the weld to get it burnt in first then just follow the puddle. for body work you want to do a stich weld and let it cool and jusmp around the pannel and eventually make one solid weld with all the little stich welds. if it were me I would still leave the heat high and the speed at 3 for everything just go slow. hope this makes any sense I have had a couple beers....

Thanks. I may just be going to fast. As I said Im used to ARC. I will try slowing my weld speed down and see if that helps, just worry about burning through.

[alwaysxj]

Thanks. I may just be going to fast. As I said Im used to ARC. I will try slowing my weld speed down and see if that helps, just worry about burning through.

If you stich weld it then you will be fine for body work, but on thicker metal you can do one solid bead but go slow. :popcorn:

[4.3LXJ]

The sizzling sound is nice, but in reality you still may get some popping. The question is, are you getting enough popping you are getting a lot of splatter? Also, as mentioned above you need to keep the heat out of body panels. Go slow and stitch your way through and they won't warp or buckle.

[JENSSEN]

Can I ask a few questions before I give some suggestions?
What knd of wire are you running flux core, mild steel?
What's the code on the wire like 70S6?
Are you running gas?
Is your welder set at electrode positive or electrode negative?

[Outlaw]

Can I ask a few questions before I give some suggestions?
What knd of wire are you running flux core, mild steel?
What's the code on the wire like 70S6?
Are you running gas?
Is your welder set at electrode positive or electrode negative?

Not sure on the wire, I will check this afternoon when I get to the shop, No gas as of yet but I am getting a small bottle this weekend. The welder doesnt have a positive or negative setting on it so I'm not sure. This is the link to the specs, I'll take a picture of it later if you need that. Thanks! http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=yes&tool=shop&item_ID=76477&group_ID=1740&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

[JENSSEN]

Ok well if it's a flux wire your running my bet is that it's electors negative and your machine came electrode positive , so on the inside of the machine you will reverse polarity.

[Outlaw]

Ok well if it's a flux wire your running my bet is that it's electors negative and your machine came electrode positive , so on the inside of the machine you will reverse polarity.

Is there a way to test the polarity?

[JENSSEN]

Is there a way to test the polarity?

Open the door where the wire goes and see if the wires run for the work clamp and drive assembly go to, there should be lugs marked + and -

Not the same welder but shows the lugs and polarity markings but please check the manual before you make any changes

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/RACE4THECURE/7ed2a444.jpg

[4.3LXJ]

Can I ask a few questions before I give some suggestions?
What knd of wire are you running flux core, mild steel?
What's the code on the wire like 70S6?
Are you running gas?
Is your welder set at electrode positive or electrode negative?

Wow Jensen, I just assumed too much. I never thought he might be running wire without gas or anything like that.

[JENSSEN]

I sell welding equipment and metal fabrication equipment for a living,.. I run acrOSS this kind of thing every week

[Outlaw]

a day late but here is what I have

http://i1131.photobucket.com/albums/m545/OutlawXJ/Snapbucket/b5b88c51-orig.jpg

http://i1131.photobucket.com/albums/m545/OutlawXJ/Snapbucket/ef277dc1-orig.jpg

http://i1131.photobucket.com/albums/m545/OutlawXJ/Snapbucket/fdb302b5-orig.jpg

http://i1131.photobucket.com/albums/m545/OutlawXJ/Snapbucket/f28c2dcd-orig.jpg

http://i1131.photobucket.com/albums/m545/OutlawXJ/Snapbucket/04daf790-orig.jpg

[JENSSEN]

Everything looks to be in order but where is your shielding gas? 70S6 wire needs it and this is where your problems are coming from. I bet your can see little pinholes in all your welds

[JENSSEN]

Did you get it working?

[Outlaw]

Did you get it working?

Yes thanks for all the info, sorry bout not getting back I was in Uwharrie Forest all weekend. Post and pics to follow in the next couple days!