Short arc performance of Transsteel 2200 and Picomig 180

[Kalts]

Hi, I know I am getting on the nerves with constant flow of questions, but searching forum archive has not been fruitful.
Much of talk about Picomig 180 pulse (missing) features, the relatively anemic output for welding aluminium etc. What I would like to know is the low amperage short-arc performance on steel, arc behaviour as in harsh/hard/digging vs. soft/buttery and so on. Also how the starts are in low settings and overall everything which is of imporance for low-amperage thin steel works. Same for Tst 2200 and best would be comments from those who have experience with both machines on thin stuff and I am not talking about 2mm "plates".

thanks

 

[stuvy]

How thin are you wanting to weld

I can do a test on our transteel 2200 if you’d like

 

[Kalts]

90's Mazda thin I would say Last I used 0.6 mm fresh sheet for patching and that was bothersome with 0.8 wire but my machine could be simply unsuitable. Butts in air, not laying on the welding table, series spots on edge, that kind of stuff. Plain CO2.

 

[stuvy]

Co2 is your main issue with stuff that thin

 

[Kalts]

I am aware of the gases, but others seem to manage so why should not I? Did not mean continuous butts in air, all tack-tack as usual in panel work. I sure am beginner on both MIG and also panel work side but managed with 0.8 wire and plain CO2, so think that 0.6 can only be better. Long story short, if I only had suitable machine. For some reason I often see older 3ph transformers in the body shops here... never had one.

To give some idea what I am after watch the tack at 6:40 time:

Note the particular tack happened only once in this video, but I have seen others where almost all tacks are like that. I have seen such tacks in different YT videos with different machines, stickouts and gases, CO2 included. For me this seems to depend on machine and it's settings. By the way, it is pure coincidence that I found suitable example in this video. I was simply sifting through many videos of Picomig looking for ones featuring panel work. Perhaps it is a sign for me...

 

[stuvy]

I am aware of the gases, but others seem to manage so why should not I? Did not mean continuous butts in air, all tack-tack as usual in panel work. I sure am beginner on both MIG and also panel work side but managed with 0.8 wire and plain CO2, so think that 0.6 can only be better. Long story short, if I only had suitable machine. For some reason I often see older 3ph transformers in the body shops here... never had one.

To give some idea what I am after watch the tack at 6:40 time:

Note the particular tack happened only once in this video, but I have seen others where almost all tacks are like that. I have seen such tacks in different YT videos with different machines, stickouts and gases, CO2 included. For me this seems to depend on machine and it's settings. By the way, it is pure coincidence that I found suitable example in this video. I was simply sifting through many videos of Picomig looking for ones featuring panel work. Perhaps it is a sign for me...

that’s nothing out of the ordinary welding wise
If you put a copper block or welding spoon behind it it will help to stop it warping

0.6 is better for the weld but once you get some serious hours of practise 0.8 is doable