Amp settings

[oldtel48]

Good evening everybody
Can anybody tell me what the numbers on my power control knob (1to6). It is a Cosmo 140. I ask because very often information refers to amps IE start at 55 amps and a wire speed of 60 ipm
Both the power and wire speed are numbered from 1to6
If some one can help my frustration I will be ever thankful
Terry

 

[Drains]

Terry, the power control knob actually controls volts, not amps. A mig set is constant voltage - e.g., you set the volts and the amps vary according to wire speed, stickout etc. The volts on your machine probably go from something like 15v to 20v, but to be sure you can turn off the wire feed and put a voltmeter (DC) between the tip and the earth, press the trigger and read off the voltage at each setting on the control knob.
As for how useful this is - that's another matter. To be honest you are better off just getting a feel for what works.

I'm sure you know all this, but just in case -

Use some spare sheet the same thickness as whatever you want to weld, set up a practice joint or two and play with the settings until you get decent results.
As for wire speed, the easiest way to get that about right is to start welding on some scrap and with your spare hand, adjust the wire speed up and down. Too slow, the wire will blob on the tip. too fast, the wire will butt into the joint. Just right will be somewhere in the middle, but you can finesse to give a high weld or a low. Whatever, you're listening for the old frying bacon sizzle.
The more time you spend welding and experimenting, the better you will get.
The reason welding can seem surprisingly difficult is that there is a steep learning curve, which never quite levels off...

For more and far better info, look here - http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/tutorial.htm

 

[oldtel48]

Good morning or what ever that is there.Thanks I will not bother with the amps just go back to scap working till I get it right. I learnt to gas weld about 50 years ago but not had any cause to use it much, I have now retired and thought I shall buy a mig welder as I had been told it is easier than gas welding but I beg to differ. I just cannot get the blooming hang of it,it will come all of a sudden I hope. Thanks for the info Terry

 

[Paul G]

Hi Terry
I did ask if there was a way to work it out once but didn't get far.

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/calculating-amperage.28378/

As a matter of interest whereabouts in Essex are you?

Paul G

 

[Kent]

Bump the power right up the wire speed likewise and work backwards power then wire. Eventually you will hear the right sound. After a while of doing different jobs you wont even look at the numbers and just fine adjust to what you see and hear.
Way easier to learn than O/A just easy to over think things