crap welds

[L05tB0y]

Hi all, im new to this mig welding lark, but ive just got some Co2 and gas wire and ive changed the polarity. Now when i try to weld it seems to make a more crackling noise and the welds are very poor.Ive tried to change the power settings and the wire feed but its no where like Gasless.
What im i doing wrong

 

[Wozzaaah]

Pics please!

 

[Chickenjohn]

Yes, photos please?

 

[L05tB0y]

Gas ??

Hi all, Ive recently got myself a Sealy Mighty 150 to learn on. Ive got a Pub type Co2 bottle(just refilled) and a regulator. Ive changed the polarity around because it was set up for gas less.Ive also changed the wire to 0.6 gas wire and Ive set the gas flow to the recommended rate as stated on here.
The thing is the welds are crap but when i press the trigger on the torch i can hear the gas flowing out quite loud. Is this correct or should it be less noticeable. (seems like the gas wont last too long this way)

 

[brokenbiker]

what lpm are you getting on the guage?

 

[L05tB0y]

im sure it was 10 but i might be wrong, havnt looked for a week or two

 

[Dev]

Is there a chance it was incorrectly already set to use gas before you changed it?

 

[brokenbiker]

if it is higher than around 16 try turning it down to 10 and work from there, raising it if the welds look bad. if it is around 16 or lower then im not sure what it could be

 

[L05tB0y]

No i checked the wiring from the instructions and it was set up as gasless.
Im prety sure its set at 10.

Are you suposed to hear the gas quite loud ??

 

[brokenbiker]

i use gasless at home, but in work i use 300amp mig, and cant hear tha gas from that, but then again im in an 80dba environment in work, with ear defenders. can still hear the arc though

 

[L05tB0y]

can hear it when i press the trigger without arcing but cant hear it when i weld, but the welds are tall and crap(very spitty)

 

[Glyn]

If gas is coming out the torch, that can't be the reason for the poor welds. Wire speed? Have you adjusted since swapping wire? From the one time I tried gasless, I remember the feed had to be quite fast. You sure it's pure Co2? There's a different type of pub gas available that's no good for welding. (can't remember what it's called).

 

[L05tB0y]

Ive tried adjusting the wire speed and it dont change the welds much, and its pure Co2 coz i got the bottle tested and re-filed at a proper refill place.

 

[Norm]

Hi sounds like your gas flow is ok maybe a bit high but shouldn't be the cause of the problems your reporting, best to get a peashooter style guage for accurate checking if you have any doubts about your regulator, they're available from weldequippe. If the welds are tall is the power correctly adjusted to suit the thickness of steel you are welding, do you have any penetration visible on the back of the steel, try adjusting the power then fine tune the wire speed.,
have a look at this as it may help with your settings http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eB9qnktmDI
Regards Norm

 

[L05tB0y]

Ive tried power settings and wire speed but still seems crap. No penetration

 

[Norm]

what thickness steel are you trying to weld? on the highest power setting you should be getting some penetration, did it work ok on gasless? if so you need to double check the connections on the machine.
Norm

 

[Norm]

just a thought, when you changed to gasless wire did you turn around the wire feed roller to suit the diameter of wire you are now using and adjust the tensioner to suit ? the wire slipping could be the cause of your problems,
Norm

 

[L05tB0y]

Its about 2mm steel and it did work ok on gasless and the conections are fine.
Yes i changed the wire feed roler around and fidled with the tension.
Im gona have to get my brother inlaw to come over when he gets time because he is a welder by trade. Unless their is any welders in the Wallsend area of Newcastle that maybe give me some pointers.

 

[Norm]

mmm............You should be getting reasonable penetration on 2mm thick steel, only things I can think of now would be have you changed the contact tip, is it reasonable quality wire you've purchased and does it seem to feed ok.
Norm

 

[Lawnmowerboy]

Also, just try the polarity the other way round again. also have you changed the contact tip for a 0.6mm one?