not realy a mini bike

[builder bob]

what's the diffuser? i took out the other stuff alredy

 

[mckutzy]

Is there a tip on the end of the gun. Should match the size of the wire used. You will need the nozzle for welding.

When you got the welder how was the gun cable packaged? Was it bundled up or nicely coiled up in coils the size of the machine?

Also is the wire kinked?

 

[builder bob]

i took the tip off but i did get one the size of the wire. i also took off the nozzle. the cable that goes to the gone was just laying on a bench when i bought it (used). the wire is not kinked but it is bent in the shape of a 2 pound spool

 

[Doc Sprocket]

See image. 1-4)Nozzles 5)Contact tip 6)Gas Diffuser 7)Liner 8) Gun Tube.

 

[builder bob]

oh ok, i took that out too i think, on mine it was just a coiled wire that was in place of the liner

 

[Doc Sprocket]

You need the liner. It IS made of coiled wire (usually).

 

[builder bob]

got the wire through and put all the parts back in. i can't get wire to feed unless the cable is almost strait. i was able to make it arc but because the wire isn't coming out consistently i just made a bunch of random blobs all of the place. having my mask set to 13 probably didn't help either. i need to find something else to wear when i weld, a Carhart jacket isn't so fun to use in 80 degree weather.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Try increasing the drive roll tension (where the wire nearly exits the machine) and slacking off the spool tension. Careful there- let off too much spool tension and it will unwind itself. You do NOT want that. Ultimately, you may need a new cable liner.

 

[mckutzy]

Being cool and a welder are not in the same sentence. Dont have the fan on at your welding site position, you need the gas to protect the weld. If it blows away you cant weld. Stay hydrated, take breaks, but it is going to be hot none the less. And just think your doing this as a hobby.

 

[builder bob]

Try increasing the drive roll tension (where the wire nearly exits the machine) and slacking off the spool tension.

i tried that and it didn't help, i just have to weld so that the cable is stait.

Careful there- let off too much spool tension and it will unwind itself. You do NOT want that. Ultimately, you may need a new cable liner.

lol i had the first 20 ft of wire come undone every single time i had to pull it out to fix a jam. i had to glue the liner in on both ends because it kept getting pulled out and the wire wasn't running through it.

i finally was able to get the wire to keep coming out and make a bunch of random beads and i think there's enough shielding gas coming out. the nice think about using co2 is that it puts out fires very well. i think i need to clean up the material i'm welding on alot more though because the arc makes alot of poping sounds and shoots sparks

 

[builder bob]

Being cool and a welder are not in the same sentence. Dont have the fan on at your welding site position, you need the gas to protect the weld. If it blows away you cant weld. Stay hydrated, take breaks, but it is going to be hot none the less. And just think your doing this as a hobby.

i'm definitly glad welding isn't my job

 

[Doc Sprocket]

It's okay for hobby stuff. I did it professionally in the field for 6 years, and it can be he//. Ventilation is not always ideal, you sometimes have to work in cramped positions, and there ain't NO hot like working on an asphalt roof in the heat of August in full leathers (including do-rag) melting steel.

Picture this- I used to weld up ductwork for restaurants- There was a couple times when I did NOT have access to the back sides of the joints. So- there I am, laying inside a 10 foot (or more) length of 24" x 24" steel duct, welding on the next section from the inside. Yeesh. The gun's inches off your face, your elbows smashed into your ribcage... Not pretty.

 

[builder bob]

oh jeesh! how do you keep from being electified if your touching the peice your welding?

tried welding a couple peices of bike frame together, it didn't go so well. i made a huge blob all around the joint and when i bashed it on the ground the weld just tore off. i still can't keep the arc steady eaven on newly ground metal and i can't get a puddle to form, it's just a glowing blob that bubbles and i can push around.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Have you got your polarity correct? Enough heat? good ground?

Post pics of your weld. Don't be embarassed, might actually help us diagnose it.

 

[builder bob]

how do i know if i got the polarity right? i'll make another weld tomaro and try uping the heat a click, then post a pick of that.

 

[builder bob]

Here are my best welds. the surface looks bad because i ran out of co2 (i think my regulator leaks). there's a bunch of little splatter dots on everything (can't quite see it on the pictures i think).

 

[loud1]

Your going to get a lot of spatter with straight C02, a C02/argon mix will reduce the spatter considerably.

 

[builder bob]

i got the splatter with no shielding gas so i guess that was the problem

 

[loud1]

i got the splatter with no shielding gas so i guess that was the problem

Cool. I personally use straight C02 for steel cause' it's cheap and use anti-spatter spray for areas i want spatter free. I also keep a couple of rolls of flux-core in case i run outta gas.

Also, you may want to look into replacing your wire rollers, they do wear out occasionally.

 

[builder bob]

i think i have another drive roller, how do i know if the one that's on the welder is worn out?

i think the wire is jamming in the gun tip somehow and that's making it hard for me to weld.