[TheForge] MIG setup

[RICK KORINEK]

Ralph,
Hello.  I have a related polarity question.  I was making a 
top die block for my 50# LG.  It is a platform with the 
dovetails which will take replaceable dies (similar to the 2-
piece bottom dies that Sid sells, and you make).  I was 
welding the die block together--making the dovetails out of 
pieces welded together.  The question is about using 7018 
rod. I purchased some 1/8" rod to use for this application.  
I had a hell of a time getting the arc to start.  I have a 
small (180 amp) stick welder.  Even at full current, I could 
not draw an arc.  Finally in frustration, I abandoned the 
stick machine and went back to the MIG machine and welded the 
die up with 60k tensile wire.

So, my first question is:  Is 7018 just plain hard to start?  
Also, what polarity I should have set up for the 7018?  And 
would this make a difference for start-up?  My welder was set 
up with the electrode on the "Smooth arc" connection and the 
ground wire on the "common ground" connection.  There is 
a "Forcing arc" connection point that I know nothing about.  
Do you have any wisdom to sprinkle on this situation.

Thanks,
-Rick

Ps.  I will forward the draft article I wrote about the 
Fitchburg event to you.


---- Original message ----
>Date: Sat, 23 Oct 2004 16:27:08 -0400
>From: "Ralph Sproul" <brhlbsmt at mcttelecom.com>  
>Subject: Re: [TheForge] MIG setup  
>To: "Sponsored by ABANA" <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
>
>Hi John,  General rule is reverse polarity for hard wire and 
dual shield
>wires(electrode positive) and straight polarity for strictly 
flux cored wire
>(electrode negative).
>
>There are exceptions for some of the flux cored wires.
>
>Ralph
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "John Switzer" <switz at mindspring.com>
>To: "Sponsored by ABANA" <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
>Sent: Saturday, October 23, 2004 11:16 AM
>Subject: [TheForge] MIG setup
>
>
>> Ok, here is my chance to show my ignorance.  I took three 
semesters of
>> welding & now that I have bought a wire feeder so that I 
can MIG weld I
>> don't recall if you MIG with electrode positive or 
negative.  I seem to
>> remember something about one way for MIG and the other for 
Flux wire.  Any
>> help is appreciated.
>>
>> Thanks
>>
>> John Switzer
>> 7019 Burnt Mill Rd
>> Beulah, CO 81023
>> (719) 485-3109
>>
>>
>>
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Rick Korinek
Emerald City Forge
Framingham, MA