Mig Arc consistency

[Dkevdog]

This weekend I was having some issues with a consistent arc. I would occasionally get some sputter starts and the resulting stubble welds associated with it. The gun liner is fairly new, so I don't think a feed issue is going on, and when I would strike a good arc at start (which was most of the time) I had no problems maintaining a nice bead. I am a bit puzzled ... Bad ground clamp connection?? I also had a few welds that would bubble up on me, presumably from something contaminating the weld.. could this be a cause of sputtered starts as well?

Kev

[David R]

It could be just a little too much wire speed, or not quite enough volts.

If it pops and sputters, then you stop and re start the weld with very little stickout, it welds fine, then your wire is too fast.

David

[backuproller]

with the miller, hold the trigger down and turn the machine on, a number will show up in your wfs, this is the percent of wire feed on start-up. i usually run mine around %90. less, and it sometimes burn back into the tip. more than %110 and the wire is pushing the gun back. mind you most of my stuff is done above 300 wfs. hope it helps.

[wello]

could be a earth problem could also be the tension on your feed rollers they will start ok but play up when you weld could also be the tension on the spool holder as well alot of people don't think about it but if its to tight or to lose it will cause alot of problems till you find it and its always the last thing you think about

[Dkevdog]

Thanks I'll check the wire feed speed and the rollers. I still question the ground clamp though. Is there any better clamps or methods??

Backup, I have a MM210, not 251........ no display I wanted the 251 but couldn't the CFO (AKA Wife} to allocate the funds at the time .

Kev