Another newbie to MIG (or any other) welding

[Dazbo666]

I bought a MIG welder recently (a Kende 105F) with a view of leaning to MIG weld, doing some basic repairs to the exhaust etc on the motorbike, and maybe making DIY ornaments out of nuts, bolts and scrap metal etc.
(Basically I'm coming to this with zero experience, and only DIY / keen amateur garage equipment....)

I've managed to set the welder up and get it running (with some help of some threads on here, and the US Miller website). I've also made a couple of attempts at some test runs with scrap metals that was surplus around the garage.
However, to date I've only managed to make a relatively expensive mini fireworks show, and LOTS of splatter marks on the scrap metals.

I ground the surfaces of the pieces back to bare metal, and made sure the pieces were clean etc, but even after following all the info I could find, I still don't seem to be able to make any recognisable weld pool(s).

Is there something I'm missing, or is it a matter of perseverance??

(Apologies in advance for the newbie question, but I'm frustrated and eager to start using my welder properly.)

 

[shenion]

Gas or gasless?
What type of wire?
What gas and flow rate? (Disposable?)

Pitcures would help.

 

[Dazbo666]

Pics / Specs on this thread..

Gasless welder using flux coated gasless welding wire from Screwfix

I also have some stainless steel welding wire, but not tried that reel yet

 

[shenion]

Ah, a cheap, Chinese AC MIG and cheap gasless wire also.

You are mot making it easy for success. A name brand roll of gasless wire may help, but I don't hold much expectations. You can try Lincoln Electric wire or the SIF wire Weldequip sells.

Off brand wire probably won't like AC. Heck, MIG is supposed to be DC but some wires will work better on either polarity so it would probably work on AC.

Others have tried thiose cheap Chinese AC MIGs with no success.

 

[Dazbo666]

Will persevere with the current setup, and also try some alternative wire... and if all else fails there's always ebay, lol

Thanks for the advice

 

[shenion]

When I did a search on them, most of the results were auction sites:

"only used once or twice"........

Seems everyone is getting rid of them.

Good luck

 

[wavestarved]

I had a look at these before settling on a clarke, all the reviews on the screwfix site (bar 1) reckoned they were a good machine for the money.

 

[Wozzaaah]

Good for what? Boat anchor? Doorstop?
All those reviews were written by screwfix I'd imagine, one honest one must have slipped through!