I have very little experience, and learned mostly by trial and error. This is the welder I just bought:
www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=94056I know it's a real low end one, I got it just to learn with and do some real light duty stuff.
Anyway, I'm having a hard time getting a good weld bead, it seems to get more into blobs than a good smooth bead. I've tried reading some stuff online
www.millerwelds.com/education/tech_tips/MIG_tips/, and bought a welding book, and it seems like every source I read recommends a different angle for the wire to be held to the work. I've seen 10*-15* either forward in the direction you're welding ("push"), or back towards the bead you've already welded ("drag"), or 90* perpendicular. The manual that came with the machine recommended a 35* angle.
I've experimented with different angles, but still having a hard time getting a good bead. I'm welding some square tubing that's about 1 1/2" square, and the steel is about 1/8" thick. It's .030" flux core wire. I have the machine set on "low" ("high" caused a lot of spatter) and tried feed speeds from 1 to about 6...nothing really seems to make a difference. I've got a couple good beads, but it seems more luck than that I'm getting it.
It did seem to work better, the closer I got the tip to the work, but I'm afraid of getting the tip clogged. I had rented a Lincoln a while back, which was a lot nicer machine, but the tip got clogged really easily, so I guess now I'm hesitant to get too close. Also it seems like keeping the wire shorter has better results, but I want to make sure I'm on the right track and not waste time or wire on stuff that won't work.
I did read one source that said MIG welds will just naturally appear a little differently than regular welds? Any hints or tips for a beginner?