Hello all,
I have 2 problems, one of which I’m sure the forum can assist me with.
Equipment is a 220v Lincoln MIG welder, .030 wire, 75/25 gas.
When I hit the trigger to start a weld, i get essentially one “pop” and the wire is blown back to the tip in a ball and stuck. Mess with it to free up, try again, and same thing. Before long I give up on the messed up tip, change it, and try again. Sometimes it welds, but let’s just say I budget 30 min per inch of weld and I don’t start a project without a bag full of tips. I’ve had this problem for many years and I’m sure it’s kept me from projects that just weren’t worth the hassle.
The puzzling thing is I am using a voltage (letter) and feed rate (#) combination from the panel on the welder so it should not be that far out of whack. Nevertheless I haven’t the experience to know what it’s telling me and what to change.
The second problem is when the welding goes as intended I never actually see what I am doing. The lens is a #11. The arc strikes and I try to weld of memory of the layout and what I think is a good rate. My eyes never have a chance to focus and adjust to the changes in light. I have never actually seen a puddle. I think that’s an age thing but just in case there are ways to work differently I’m all open to ideas.
Thanks (frustrated)
I have 2 problems, one of which I’m sure the forum can assist me with.
Equipment is a 220v Lincoln MIG welder, .030 wire, 75/25 gas.
When I hit the trigger to start a weld, i get essentially one “pop” and the wire is blown back to the tip in a ball and stuck. Mess with it to free up, try again, and same thing. Before long I give up on the messed up tip, change it, and try again. Sometimes it welds, but let’s just say I budget 30 min per inch of weld and I don’t start a project without a bag full of tips. I’ve had this problem for many years and I’m sure it’s kept me from projects that just weren’t worth the hassle.
The puzzling thing is I am using a voltage (letter) and feed rate (#) combination from the panel on the welder so it should not be that far out of whack. Nevertheless I haven’t the experience to know what it’s telling me and what to change.
The second problem is when the welding goes as intended I never actually see what I am doing. The lens is a #11. The arc strikes and I try to weld of memory of the layout and what I think is a good rate. My eyes never have a chance to focus and adjust to the changes in light. I have never actually seen a puddle. I think that’s an age thing but just in case there are ways to work differently I’m all open to ideas.
Thanks (frustrated)