Any thoughs on what I'm doing wrong here would be greatly appreciated!

It's 1.5mm mild, 0.6mm wire, pure co2, SIP 150A DP in gas mode.

I can get a presentable bead with flux cored?

Cheers,
Adam.

http://www.aslx41.dsl.pipex.com/100_1496.JPG

An even worse example!
http://www.aslx41.dsl.pipex.com/100_1494.JPG
[Edited on 10/4/05 by aweekes1]

[Edited on 10/4/05 by aweekes1]

ISTR if you're using flux cored wire, you need to reverse the connections on the welder.
When we first started, we couldn't get a decent bead with standard wire and argoshield, turned out wires were set up for no gas welding

Marcus

Yep, got the connections the right way around. It's really weird in gassles mode it works just fine but in gas mode I just can't get a sensible weld!

Looks like not enough gas and not enough power mate.

Turn it all up a bit and ensure gas hasn't run out.

I would say you are getting no gas at all, check the regulator settings

Better still, sling the Co2 and use argoshield, it gives a much smoother weld, Co2 is ok for putting a head on your pint, but not much else.
Al



Originally posted by Mark Allanson
I would say you are getting no gas at all, check the regulator settings

Hi Mate I have the same type of mig and from looking at the photo I would say that there are a couple of things to look at one is your regulator setting I have mine set at between 12 and 15
the current may be to low which is why your bead is high with out enough penerttration and you may have the tip to far away from the work obviously with flux core that would not be so crucial . I have never used CO2 but I get good results with Argo shield . oh and make sure that you are getting a good earth conection.

Hope that helps
best wishes
Iain

Looks like a wire feed problem gasless wire is 0.8 but your Mig wire is 0.6 did you change the feed drive roller round as well as the polarlity when you swapped from gasless to gas.

Also check the spool is turning freely your type of SIP welder has a crap feed motor --- so clean any sticky lables off the centre of the spool and lightly lubricate the spool axle spigot with WD40 --- check the spool turns freely after every run particularly when you have used a lot of wire off the spool.

Looks to me like a combo of wire speed to high and not enough gas mate.. Is the wire old and rusted on the surface?

1st of all- ditch the fluxed wire. It's dreadful.
2nd- get Argoshield from local cheap welding supplier.

As far as your pictures:
2nd picture no gas. You only need the gas on about 8 (more if you're welding outside and it's windy). You should hear it as a 'whisper' when you pull the trigger.

1st picture- not so sure. I'd say you're shroud is too far from the work and also wire speed too high/current setting too low.

Hope that helps,
James

P.S. I accept no responsibility if your car falls apart!

Also, if you don't have them already buy a decent mask (even the red Halfords one is surprisingly good for £12) and get some proper welding gauntlets.