[TheForge] MIG setup

[Jerry Frost]

Rick:

While 7018 can be a little finicky it usually strikes just fine if your
ground clamp is on clean steel. A poor ground is the most common headache I
run into.

One trick is to use a slight brushing motion instead of tapping straight
into the steel.

Another trick for restriking a stick is to tap the end on the cement floor,
brick, a rock or other hard object to break the coat of slag that can form
on the end. Don't tap too hard or you'll break the flux coating, you just
want to break the slag right at the tip.

Straight or reverse polarity doesn't seem to make a difference for me. I
usually run 5/32 at 90-105 amps. My main welder is a Lincoln Ranger 9
portable.

Frosty
------------------------
If it ain't forged
it ain't real.
Wrought iron is.
The FrostWorks

Meadow Lakes, AK.


----- Original Message -----
From: "RICK KORINEK" <rickkorinek at rcn.com>
To: "Sponsored by ABANA" <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Saturday, October 23, 2004 1:41 PM
Subject: Re: [TheForge] MIG setup


> 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
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