Can't sink my welds :)

[Telwin]

Hello everyone. I have been following the forum for some time but this is my first post. I am not new to welding (though not an expert either) but I have always used SMAW until today. I have been wanting to move to MIG for quite a bit and finally managed to equip myself with a kit. I bought myself Telwin that goes between 35 and 220 amps. I hooked onto it a bottle of Argon CO2 mix earlier on today and had my first go at "migging". I ran a few weld on some scrap pieces but I cannot get my settings (or technique) correct.. My welds remain too proud on the surface.. I am attaching some pics to show you better..
Any tips pleeeze

 

[shenion]

How thick is the plate?

Looks like you need to turn up the power.

 

[mike 109444]

And what size wire?
Welcome BTW

 

[Telwin]

Wire is .6 and the scrap plates used 8mm..

 

[shenion]

8mm is a bit thick for that welder. You will need 0.8-1.0mm wire to handle that thick of a plate.

 

[doubleboost]

You need .8 wire at least for 8 mm plate
The earth must be good as well

 

[MoreWellie]

have a look at the chart on this page http://www.millerwelds.com/resources/tech_tips/MIG_tips/

0.024" wire = 0.6mm, 0.030" = 0.8mm

you really need 1mm wire for that thickness of metal

 

[Telwin]

Thanks for the wonderful feedback guys. I was wrong with the wire thickness, I checked again and it's actuall .8 not .6.
Haven't had time to practice and fiddle with the settings anymore however. I will hopefully have some time tomorrow.
In the meantime, what distance do I need to keep between the tip and the metal? I understand it's more than what is needed for stick welding right. Is around 6mm about it?

 

[Jan]

The way I understand it is that the wire should maintain the correct distance by melting away in the arc. It's more important to set the 'stick out' to keep the shielding gas flow constant over the weld puddle. Too close and it will prematurely cool the puddle and maybe upset the surface of it. Too far and even a stray draught from an open door or someone walking past could send it wafting elsewhere.

 

[norlander]

First off have you read through the tutorial (click on MIG on the green bar at top of page) useful info there, I often check back into the tutorials.
The wire speed control on most mig sets is often quite a fine control so try small increments on a scrap piece until you find a setting that works.
Are you running straight with no weave? this often causes a proud weld- I find I have to weave having just returned to mig welding.
You may need to adjust your speed of travel having come from stick welding-I find I run faster with mig compared to MMA.
If you have come from MMA, you may be pulling the gun? the experienced lads suggest pushing the gun with gas.

You know when the tip to job distance is right by the puddle and flare of the arc and of course the sound pretty much as per stick/tig etc.

8mm plate is too thick for what you are running at the moment in my (limited experience) view, I'd use MMA on that-I'm not saying small migs will not do 8mm-I'm suggesting small migs sets come in when MMA would blow the job away so see if you can find some lighter steel to practice on.
Have fun learning-you'll get there.

 

[Fastfingaz]

By the looks of those welds you either have turn up the heat or turn down the wire, I say turn down the wire...

 

[ukracer]

Thanks for the wonderful feedback guys. I was wrong with the wire thickness, I checked again and it's actuall .8 not .6.
Haven't had time to practice and fiddle with the settings anymore however. I will hopefully have some time tomorrow.
In the meantime, what distance do I need to keep between the tip and the metal? I understand it's more than what is needed for stick welding right. Is around 6mm about it?

THis page http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/power-settings.htm will tell you most of what is going on but the full tutorial will benefit you as well.