Quote:

---

Sounds like wire feed rate too slow or heat range too high. Just my opinion. Randy

---

exactly...

Quote:

---

Sounds like wire feed rate too slow or heat range too high. Just my opinion. Randy

---

Quote:

---

I agree with the others. Check the paperwork you got with the welder. There should be a guide or some info with it that will give you various wire speed, wire thickness and heat range settings for various gauges of metal. On my MIG there's a label on the inside of the door where you add a new wire spool that has all those settings. Those will get you in the ballpark. After that it's making fine adjustments of either the wire speed or heat range til the sound the weld creates sounds like frying bacon.

---

Quote:

---

Quote:

---

I agree with the others. Check the paperwork you got with the welder. There should be a guide or some info with it that will give you various wire speed, wire thickness and heat range settings for various gauges of metal. On my MIG there's a label on the inside of the door where you add a new wire spool that has all those settings. Those will get you in the ballpark. After that it's making fine adjustments of either the wire speed or heat range til the sound the weld creates sounds like frying bacon.

---

Agreed on the sound but you dont want to fry bacon while hanging a quarter! Also I have been using these guide lines provide by welder and usually speed the wire up just a bit.

---

Quote:

---

Yup - hanging a quarter is different. You want it a tad hotter and less wire if you are doing quick bursts and small welds.

---

I never would have though less wire though. More heat ya... hmm have to try it sometime.

Quote:

---

also sometimes it works perfect than move over a foot and it will ball up?

OH and it does it on more vertical or inverted surfaces and not on horizontal that I can think of, such as where the gun would be below the weld. Also related to these situations, sometimes the weld will follow the wire up and and build a chimney around the wire.

Now given these are rare occurrence but when they happen they are a major pain so I would like to eliminate them and I havent found the magic bullet yet.

---

Quote:

---

Welding inverted , overhead , you need to use a FLUX core wire , no gas , that's why you are having problems wi hthat weld , that type Hobart is a marginal machine at best, we have one at work , it bites.

---

Quote:

---

Quote:

---

Welding inverted , overhead , you need to use a FLUX core wire , no gas , that's why you are having problems wi hthat weld , that type Hobart is a marginal machine at best, we have one at work , it bites.

---

so no welding with gun below weld on gas?

Just curious what would be a good one at $450-500 range on 120v? My old man has a 220v bigger brother to mine and you can tell it MUCH hotter but I like the portableness and the fact I only have 120v in garage.

---

Quote:

---

Welding inverted , overhead , you need to use a FLUX core wire , no gas

---

Quote:

---

The main question is: once in while when I start my weld the wire starts to melt back on itself and not place itself on the metal. It leaves glowing little ball of material on the wire and you have to start again.

---

That is your start-up voltage. Most welders give you a shot of voltage for two reasons:

1. Arc stability

2. Create heat to avoid cold-lap.

Use it to your advantage. Be patient, wait it out and keep the trigger pulled.

Look at the weld pool, not what the wire is doing!

If you are blowing holes, turn up the wire speed. Hopefully this welder has infinite adjustability, not the huge A, B, C, or 1, 2, 3, click stuff.

Quote:

---

Quote:

---

Welding inverted , overhead , you need to use a FLUX core wire , no gas

---

This is BS ! Do you think all welders or welding shops switch units to do overhead welding ?

When welding overhead you cut back on the heat and amperage IF you have a machine that can dial down both. Otherwise plug into the recommended heat setting then back off the amperage (wire speed). On an overhead weld you want to move faster so the puddle doesn't drop AND you want to keep the stickout shorter - 1/4" to 1/8" - get right in there! Welding vertical you can use your normal settings but either push or drag DOWN not up. That mixed gas you're using will produce a nice weld with very little spatter but is not good for anything other than close to vertical welding - some on here will disagree but go to the supplier's website and see what they say !!

As for your balling up problem, all good suggestions but before you change anything else, make sure your wire stickout is about 3/8" to start, your torch angle about 10-15* from vertical and most important SQUEEZE THAT TRIGGER! Too many people just get scared by the "snap" and let go the trigger. Don't be afraid to hold it on to start the puddle.

Quote:

---

purge the gas line

---