Welding thin to thick metal

[WillyWeld]

So I tried MIG welding thin expanded metal to a 1.5"x1.5" square tube (either .120" or .095" thick) and had a tough time making this work. I turned down the voltage to 30 and the wire speed to 1.5 and ended up with globs that look like they are sitting on the tube. If I turned up the voltage, I vaporized the expanded metal. What's the trick to this?

[Franz]

The trick is to set up for the heavy metal, and ease the pool onto the expanded metal. If you set the power down, you won't have a weld, you'll have a pile of birdcrap.
If you think it's hard with MIG, you should try attaching expanded metal to framing with stick.

[Doggus]

Wouldn't it be easier with Tig? Lots of control of the torch...???

[boilerman]

try this ....it is what i do with stick when welding expanded to something...strike your arc...on base metal.....do circles(small ones)to build up the base ....and when you get a good base hit the expanded and put them together...done ....with you being new at it make sure they are tight together to make it easier for you....you'll get the idea of how much base you need after a few tries

[Brainfarth]

Heat direction is a big part as well. The base will take time and the expanded will take off like a rocket so try to find the happy medium. I try to aim away from the expanded and back up to it real fast and cut the power. That's with either mig or stick. Mig is pretty easy once you get the hang of it. Stick likes to show you who's boss from time to time. For me anyway.

[WillyWeld]

Great. Thanks for the advice, I'll give it another try.