Poor weld flow on new welder?

[Paul Vickers]

I taught myself to weld years ago using a sip top mig 170. I have continued to use this welder with no problems for about 5 years.

I have now decided to treat myself to a brand new snap on pro mig 187. I have played endlessly with the settings and just can't get a nice weld!

You will have to excuse my ignorance as a self taught welder I don't know all the technical terms. Welding is a hobby mainly restored by classic cars.

First problem was a large amount of black soot around the weld. I improved this by setting the cuft/hour on the new regulator (old one never had this setting) to around 22. Does that sound about right?

But my main problem is I can't get the weld to "flow"? Not sure how to describe it.... Basically if you do a seam if spot welds instead of flowing/meting into one seam it stays as seperate welds? I'll take a photo and upload it when I get chance

Weld is also very pronounced.

Hope you guys can help. Thanks

 

[Tom Orrow L]

Sounds like you might be running a bit cold. Try upping the amps a bit or lowering your WFS.

With MIG try about 10LPM with your gas, should be about right.

 

[NickyEng]

I taught myself to weld years ago using a sip top mig 170. I have continued to use this welder with no problems for about 5 years.

I have now decided to treat myself to a brand new snap on pro mig 187. I have played endlessly with the settings and just can't get a nice weld!

You will have to excuse my ignorance as a self taught welder I don't know all the technical terms. Welding is a hobby mainly restored by classic cars.

First problem was a large amount of black soot around the weld. I improved this by setting the cuft/hour on the new regulator (old one never had this setting) to around 22. Does that sound about right?

But my main problem is I can't get the weld to "flow"? Not sure how to describe it.... Basically if you do a seam if spot welds instead of flowing/meting into one seam it stays as seperate welds? I'll take a photo and upload it when I get chance

Weld is also very pronounced.

Hope you guys can help. Thanks

Yes Toms right. Sounds like your settings are off. Can you post some pictures of the welds and Close up shots of the knobs so we can see your settings.
Also quick check you are getting a decent wire feed thru the gun. Hold gun in air and point away from your body, hold wire as it comes out your torch tip and squeeze gun trigger, try to stop the wire feeding by holding it between finger and thumb and see how much it slips. You should barely be able to stop it feeding out. You may not have the right feeder tension. Your gas flow rate is fine that converts to 10Lpm as Tom said

 

[Kent]

I taught myself to weld years ago using a sip top mig 170. I have continued to use this welder with no problems for about 5 years.

I have now decided to treat myself to a brand new snap on pro mig 187. I have played endlessly with the settings and just can't get a nice weld!

You will have to excuse my ignorance as a self taught welder I don't know all the technical terms. Welding is a hobby mainly restored by classic cars.

First problem was a large amount of black soot around the weld. I improved this by setting the cuft/hour on the new regulator (old one never had this setting) to around 22. Does that sound about right?

But my main problem is I can't get the weld to "flow"? Not sure how to describe it.... Basically if you do a seam if spot welds instead of flowing/meting into one seam it stays as seperate welds? I'll take a photo and upload it when I get chance

Weld is also very pronounced.

Hope you guys can help. Thanks

Sounds like your on argon rather than a 5 or 10 % mix of argon and co2

 

[backpurge]

Sounds like you might be running a bit cold. Try upping the amps a bit or lowering your WFS.

With MIG try about 10LPM with your gas, should be about right.

Sorry to sound knobby but increasing the amps would increase the wire feed speed and make the weld colder. Either increase the voltage or turn down the wire feed speed to increase the weld pool temperature, only adjust one at a time so you can see what gives you the best result

 

[Tom Orrow L]

I may have worded that badly, that was what I was trying to say.

 

[backpurge]

I may have worded that badly, that was what I was trying to say.

Know the feeling, still waiting for the hangover to go and my brain to start working again