What am I doing wrong

[woodlandfarms]

OK, so I have learned to Mig Weld via the web. Just being honest here. I am learning a lot, but some things don't make sense.

Wanted to ask you guys why the head of my welder looks this way. I seem to get it gunked up pretty quickly. Am I holding too close (I have to weld outdoors so MIG gas is an issue). Or is this just how after running 24" of weld the thing looks and cleaning is part of the process?

 

[TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark]

I'm a beginner myself, but that looks pretty bad for 24" of bead. Are you using welding gel on the tip?

 

[IslandTractor]

That's a lot of spatter. Do you have MIG pliers to keep the tip clean?

I'd defer to ArcWeld or one of the other pros on cause but I'd assume you are too close and ??too hot.

 

[grsthegreat]

Are you using wire rated for use without gas? My weld tips have never looked like that. I dont use tip grease, but i do use gas shelding and wire ment for use with gas as the welding area stays alot cleaner of splatter.

 

[rswyan]

Git ya some nozzle dip.

 

[Shield Arc]

Most likely you don't have the settings correct. First thing I would do is turn down the voltage. Can you post a picture of your welds?
With Mig welding I maintain about 3/8-inch stick out, (end of wire to contact tip). I also keep the gas nozzle flush with the contact tip.

 

[zzvyb6]

Check electrical settings: Should be DC with Reverse Polarity (electrode positive).

 

[yomax4]

Looks Hot . Consider gun angle. Looks like your going straight in. and is the material clean?

 

[sd455dan]

OK, so I have learned to Mig Weld via the web. Just being honest here. I am learning a lot, but some things don't make sense.

Wanted to ask you guys why the head of my welder looks this way. I seem to get it gunked up pretty quickly. Am I holding too close (I have to weld outdoors so MIG gas is an issue). Or is this just how after running 24" of weld the thing looks and cleaning is part of the process?

i think part of the possible problem you already mentioned:

(I have to weld outdoors so MIG gas is an issue)


Couple of ideas, in addition to those already mentioned- and agree it could be set at to high of voltage


If much of the shield gas gets blown away from the tip and or metal, the splatter and what gets blown back at the migs tip seems to be multiplied, I pretty much gave up on mig welding outside if there is much breeze at all, due to inadequate shielding, but have never tried flux core. I have also had problems on cold days with my regulator freezing up and reducing flow(I just use CO2) but when it happens sure makes a mess of both the weld and tip.
Maybe try a similar weld inside out of the wind, just for comparison?

Also do you have a picture of the weld that was made when the tip got this gunked up,- just wondering how clean the metal was and if possibly the metal was contaminated with impurities ?

 

[Shield Arc]

I have also had problems on cold days with my regulator freezing up and reducing flow(I just use CO2) but when it happens sure makes a mess of both the weld and tip.

In the old days we use to have regulators with heaters built in to them. Just plug a 120-volt extension cord to it. But I haven't seen them in years. You could also hang a mechanic's drop light on the regulator, the heat from the light bulb will help keep the regulator from freezing up.

 

[Clay45]

For outdoors you may wish to consider gasless fluxcore. Its messy but will save the gas for when you can work inside.

 

[sd455dan]

In the old days we use to have regulators with heaters built in to them. Just plug a 120-volt extension cord to it. But I haven't seen them in years. You could also hang a mechanic's drop light on the regulator, the heat from the light bulb will help keep the regulator from freezing up.

Thanks, I didn't know that there was actually a purpose built heater for regulators.
In the winter -and unheated shop i don't get to far with the mig due to freezing- even frosting the outside , so i tape a 1200 watt hair dryer to a chair next to the reg.

Hoping the Op can post some pictures of the material and welds, i have mig welded some old unknown type steels before that sure made a mess of the tip.

Migged regular mild steel right next to it, just to prove I wasn't losing my mind:laughing:- and at least in that case, was definitely the metal causing the crud/spatter problem.

 

[IslandTractor]

For outdoors you may wish to consider gasless fluxcore. Its messy but will save the gas for when you can work inside.

Fluxcore isn't really any messier than stick. MIG and TIG guys get upset because of spatter but frankly it isn't hard to clean up and saves all sorts of grief trying to control gas outdoors. Better penetration too.

 

[Shield Arc]

One thing to be aware of when switching from Mig to self shielded flux core. Mig guns can not handle self shielded wire. .035" wire will most likely run through a Mig gun OK. .045" wire might if you have a 1/16-inch liner in the Mig gun. 1/16-inch wire or bigger, no way!
If you are going to run a lot of self shielded wire, get a dedicated self shielded flux core gun. I have had great luck with Lincoln's K-126 guns.

 

[sd455dan]

Holy Cow- some of those self shielded wire guns are hard core...

600 amp rating on one of them (k116) - bet with the right supply could lay down some really substantial beads in one pass.

 

[newbury]

OK, so I have learned to Mig Weld via the web. Just being honest here. I am learning a lot, but some things don't make sense.

Wanted to ask you guys why the head of my welder looks this way. I seem to get it gunked up pretty quickly. Am I holding too close (I have to weld outdoors so MIG gas is an issue). Or is this just how after running 24" of weld the thing looks and cleaning is part of the process?

If welding outdoors I thought the general advice was to stick weld. Can your welder do both?

 

[IslandTractor]

If welding outdoors I thought the general advice was to stick weld. Can your welder do both?

Flux core MIG works fine outdoors. Just as good as stick. As pointed out earlier you are limited to 0.035 gauge wire with standard MIG guns but unless you are welding more than quarter inch steel that is no issue. My stock Miller Passport and Multimatic Kit guns do just fine.

 

[Shield Arc]

Holy Cow- some of those self shielded wire guns are hard core...

600 amp rating on one of them (k116) - bet with the right supply could lay down some really substantial beads in one pass.

I've been on jobs running 70-pounds of wire a day, at over 450-amps with a K-126 gun for months at a time.

 

[IslandTractor]

I've been on jobs running 70-pounds of wire a day, at over 450-amps with a K-126 gun for months at a time.

Probably building things that don't fit on a tractor!!

 

[Shield Arc]

Ferry and container ship docks.