problems getting consistent weld

[sam_shelton]

Hi
I am having problems getting a consistent weld with my new welder. I am using argoshield and 0.6 wire to weld thin plate (0.8mm). I appear to have setup the welder ok and can weld quite nicely but I am getting a fair bit of spatter and sometimes the sound of the weld changes. Is this because of wire feed problems or dirty metal? I have not cleaned the metal up with a wire brush or anything but it looks pretty clean with minimal corrosion.
If I go upto the next power setting on the machine then the problem is not so evident but then I start to blow holes in the metal.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks
Sam

 

[shenion]

I have found the type of wire helps.

Started with some ER56 no-name brand.

Next roll is ER70, name brand. Much better, less popping/spatter.

I also had the same issue with the polarity reversed.

 

[Drains]

Maybe try slowing the wire feed speed a touch. That might cut the spatter. Use a piece of scrap, weld with one hand, turn the feed speed knob with the other until the weld goes quiet and sizzly.

 

[Justme]

Sound like you need to clean the job more. Any corrosion is bad news.

Justme

 

[sam_shelton]

Thanks for the replies guys, I suspect it maybe a combination of wire ( from machine mart) and dirty metal. Have not been very impressed with the clarke wire, the reel had a crack in it when I bought it and it really doesn't fit well onto the spindel (on my sealey supermig).
May try buying another one but seems a waste of money as I have only used a couple of metres of a 15kg spool.
Thanks again
Sam

 

[MigTig]

I get on fine with Clarke wire

 

[weldequip]

You do get bad batches of wire, even premium brand Murex. I would put it down more to contaminents on the material.
weldequip

 

[lorenzo]

Some pics may be a help in helping us better understand what it is that is happening..... As far as the voltage setting being too much when you bump it up..... you may be able to control that a bit by lengthening your arc a bit. I have tried to argue this very point many times on other forums when people ask about tapped vs. a continuious voltage control.

The more tapped positions the better but when you only have a few selections welding can be a bit of a chore.

 

[Jeepster]

Hi
I am having problems getting a consistent weld with my new welder. I am using argoshield and 0.6 wire to weld thin plate (0.8mm). I appear to have setup the welder ok and can weld quite nicely but I am getting a fair bit of spatter and sometimes the sound of the weld changes. Is this because of wire feed problems or dirty metal?

Are you welding in a sealed workshop or outdoors in possibly windy conditions? Its possible that your gas is simply getting blown away which means you could so your losing your gas shroud... You can try increasing the gas pressure so you can maintain a healthy gas shroud even in windy conditions.

 

[Wozzaaah]

PLEASE look at the thread dates before replying!

 

[the snooper]

PLEASE look at the thread dates before replying!

 

[Jeepster]

I dont care about the thread date...Even an archived thread is still a thread that can be read by anyone here and always deserves a better answer if you can supply one.

 

[Wozzaaah]

Not much good if the OP hasn't been on for 6 years though, it's a forum not a ouija board.
Anyway, in this case if it got Lorenzo's attention and got him back on here then many of us would be very happy, check out some of the stuff he posted!