Thanks! I'm using an Eastwood MIG 135 110v welder. Wire size is 0.023, although it should probably be 0.035 for this application...I had the heat maxed out, but the wire speed seems to work best around 5.5. I started and stopped a lot because I didn't want to overwork my welder (not sure it's a 100% duty cycle)

 

It's probably only 10% duty cycle. Step up to .030 wire

 

Some random artsy fartsy

 

OK I can't weld worth crap. I mean it's bad, really, really bad. 3/16" steel with flux core (0.030 and 0.035) and I have a shield with automatic dimming. I can't really see the joint when welding and wonder if this is the problem since I've tried almost every combination of settings on the welder and made sure everything is all clean. About all I can see is where the joint is but not the weld at all. I'm afraid to change the setting on the shield from anything but what the manual says for this type of welding. Is it safe turn turn it down and will this even help? Or is welding more of a jedi mind thing?

 

Watch this vid might help

 

What size is the welder? If it's just a cheap HF buzz box, it probably won't weld 3/16.

 

My buddy welded with it a couple months ago but he might have used his shield. I talked to some other people and it seems I should expect to actually see what I'm doing. The cheap welder might be an issue too but I'm going to work out my inability to see first and then move on with my next problem. Thanks

 

getting back into the swing of things. not bad for an old 175 with .030

 

Whatcha making?

 

more frame plates. started a separate thread for it in fab

 

I'll look into it.

 

I talked my buddy into coming over again to weld my sliders. Turns out my little welder works fine and I just suck at welding and the fact that I couldn't see didn't help. I got the adjustment on the shield all straightened out and I'm getting better but just need to practice more.

 

Glad u got all that sorted out, now best thing u can do now is to practice, practice and practice.

Experiment with different positions and feeding methods. And see what works best for ya and your machine.

 

Just bought a Hobart 210MVP a week ago for my first welder. Almost bought a Hobart 140 but talked to my machinist at work and he didn't recommend that for what I want to use it for. I'm practicing on 110v for now until I can make a 220 plug that plugs into the dryer outlet and then I'll be getting gas bottle. These welds were done with .30 flux corewire. Let me know what you think.

 

Chances are, the breaker for your dryer outlet is only a double 20. For that welder, you need a double 30 and should be using, at the minimum, 12/3 with ground for wire.