Hobart 140

[havoc1482]

That nozzle is for flux core wire. A nozzle for sheilding gas will be somewhat larger in diameter and will extend down close to the tip.

Well yeah, just demonstrating to sonny that they make tapered nozzles.

[Stanton]

I received a Hobart 140 a few years back from my wife. Next to the '47 Circle Cub, one of the best birthday gifts she's ever given me. Seems I almost spent the same amount of money on all the accessories I needed to buy to go along with it. Have welded sheet metal up to 1/4" thick steel. Really like it. Would like to add another welder with thicker capacity some day.

Enjoy yours and be safe!

[havoc1482]

This is hard. Keeping my hand steady is the hardest thing. I think I'll just practice making straight lines on an old piece of steel.

[Bob McCarty]

Mike, There are some good you tube videos on the basics of using a wire feed. You might want to spend a few minutes watching some of those for some tips and tricks.

Bob

[brewzalot]

Like most things the only way to get good at it is to PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE.

The nice thing about wire welding is its pretty easy to get good at it fairly quickly if you do the 3 P's above!

[SONNY]

Another thing that helps is to grind the weld area so its clean! ---trust me, this even helps on a stick welder, too! LOL!!---Calm down and get your nerves to settle down and concentrate on your hold on the gun!! try to use a comfy light hold and not a death terrifying grip on it !! LOL!!!---It will come natural and as already stated , practice and be patient ! you have already mastered the basics of welding! DESIRE, HAVE EQUIPMENT, WILLING TO LEARN!!! the rest will come along as you go! thanks; sonny

[BIGHOSS]

The company that I retired from after 30 years, did a great deal of practically all types of welding (stick, mig, tig, plasma, submerged arc, etc). The standard practice there was to push the mig (usually a Tweco) gun from right to left (if you are right handed) while welding. I have observed lots of amateurs and pros violate this practice. When you pull the gun you are pulling away from your flow of shielding gas and could be contaminating the weld. If you push the puddle, the gas is captured inside the weld tip shield as the wire is consumed. This better shields the weld.
Probably doesn't make much difference at home whether you push of pull, but if a weld is to be inspected or x-rayed, it will make some.

Also, we only welded with gas argon or co2, never a flux core wire.
My two cents.

[brewzalot]

The standard practice there was to push the mig

Also, we only welded with gas argon or co2, never a flux core wire.

Correct, gas shielded you push, but flux core should be pulled. (as I was taught)

[SONNY]

I have always welded from right to left, so I can see the joint!----also most of my welding is done outside in strong winds.---that's why Praxair told me to go gas-less!--- I am still learning this wire stuff myself! thanks; sonny

[havoc1482]

I have always welded from right to left, so I can see the joint!----also most of my welding is done outside in strong winds.---that's why Praxair told me to go gas-less!--- I am still learning this wire stuff myself! thanks; sonny

I've heard this too. For welding that doesn't have to look perfect, in less than ideal conditions, gasless is best.

[SONNY]

Mike!!! ---both of us are going to learn this wire stuff together!!! LOL!!!---If anyone has helpful info. please share it with us! thanks; sonny

[BIGHOSS]

I used to tell our production welders; "there is nothing to MIG welding my grandmaw can MIG weld, just pull the trigger and push"!

[havoc1482]

Mike!!! ---both of us are going to learn this wire stuff together!!! LOL!!!---If anyone has helpful info. please share it with us! thanks; sonny

The general consensus seems to just keep practicing on test scrap metal. I've gotten better at getting a consistent bead.

[havoc1482]

getting better

[BIGHOSS]

Not only Practice Practice. But, you need to experiment with different wire feed rates and heat settings. Both parameters make a big difference. When you have both dialed in, you can lay down a perfect bead with good penetration.