So do you think this would work for my Lincoln 180C

[dragoneggs]

Member here dragoneggs brought his Miller 211 over. He set it by the chart. I didn't like the way it welded at all:thumbdown:! I started changing volts and wire speed. I ask him if he could hear the difference in the arc. He was shocked that I wouldn't go by the chart. Charts are only suggestions, you have to do what ever the puddle / weld requires.

True enough... I think SA might be able to weld with his 'eyes closed'. Just kidding but he did educate me on the sound and also told me to get 'reading glasses'! :laughing: The chart I know now is a starting point for newbies and then tweak from there after listening and examining a few test welds.

 

[Happy Gilmore]

So I was poking around the operators manual for you machine and I go to page B7, step 19 and had a chuckle...

19. Read "Learn to Weld" (LTW1) that is included with
the machine or watch the "How to Weld" DVD
included with the machine.

ahhahaha

Anyhow, I have a small 120v mig and it has a chart in the door that says what settings to start with for a given thickness of metal, type of metal, etc.... Its very helpful for us less-than-experienced types. I was looking for that on your machine but didn't see it anywhere.

I made the mistake of watching the DVD that came with my Lincoln 180 Dual, it was terrible, I'm guessing it was made around 1989. I was looking forward to watching it until it started playing. They might want to update it

 

[FTG-05]

Personally I think you're over thinking this. Really all you need to know is results at the weld. Dials, and gauges are for reference only. Once you learn how to read the puddle, and understand what it takes to get the results you want at the weld, you have it made. :thumbsup:
For years this is all we had to work with.

No kidding! I used to use the chart on my Lincoln SP-175 Plus because I didn't know any better. One day a friend was teaching me his welding techniques and the first thing he did was change the settings so it worked instead of by the chart. Much better welding (well for me anyway)!

IRC, the settings now are about one down on the wire speed and one up on the welding heat. Works much better.