"about 20-25 mins of hard usage way up in the amps"
What were you doing, no need to ever do that. Even welding 1/2 material, which is the max your machine can handle, you should be in the 90-120 range. Lay a good bead down. clean, then lay another over it until you fill the "V" . Remember on anything over 1/4" you should be grinding or cutting the edges so that they form a "V" with a gap (1/2 the thickness of your rod) at the bottom. Don't go too fast, form your puddle, then move forward a little , swing back make your next puddle. Once you learn to keep your puddles the same size your get the nice weld you are looking for. If one pass dosen't fill the "V", then clean and lay another. etc.
When you stick a rod "don't let it turn red" this is a direct short of your machine. (Bad thing) Push the handle of your holder turning the rod loose as soon as you stick it. The rod will cool within seconds, this way. By the time you get your shield up, it will be cool enough to easily break off and put back in your holder. Note: It will be a little harder to strike, because the coating will be gone off the very end. Just strike it a couple times on the bench, then go back to your work peice.
Harry
What were you doing, no need to ever do that. Even welding 1/2 material, which is the max your machine can handle, you should be in the 90-120 range. Lay a good bead down. clean, then lay another over it until you fill the "V" . Remember on anything over 1/4" you should be grinding or cutting the edges so that they form a "V" with a gap (1/2 the thickness of your rod) at the bottom. Don't go too fast, form your puddle, then move forward a little , swing back make your next puddle. Once you learn to keep your puddles the same size your get the nice weld you are looking for. If one pass dosen't fill the "V", then clean and lay another. etc.
When you stick a rod "don't let it turn red" this is a direct short of your machine. (Bad thing) Push the handle of your holder turning the rod loose as soon as you stick it. The rod will cool within seconds, this way. By the time you get your shield up, it will be cool enough to easily break off and put back in your holder. Note: It will be a little harder to strike, because the coating will be gone off the very end. Just strike it a couple times on the bench, then go back to your work peice.
Harry
