I just bought a Hobart Handler 135 MIG/Flux-core welder. The only welding I have ever done was stick welding in high school shop class about @#$ years ago. I see some welds that look like someone just used a calking gun and made it look perfect. I just spent an hour in the garage with this new toy trying to make two pieces of metal stick together! I tried it with flux-core wire at different voltage and wire feed settings at the recommended polarity. I switched to solid stainless wire with shielding gas and reversed polarity. I got the test pieces welded together but it looks like @#$%. Is this something that takes a lot of practice or am I doing something wrong. I pride myself at being pretty handy at most things but this has me wondering. I'm a little discouraged at my first attempt. I'm just glad I clamped my new 4&quot; exhaust together instead of trying to weld it. It would have looked like... well, you know..<br><br>I appreciate any input.

 

My stick welds are so bad that they can usually be broken by hand. A friend of mine has a small Cetury MIG welder and made me try it once. Now my Christmas list consists of 1 Century MIG welder and 1 Snap-On auto darkening helmet ;D. My first attemps were not perfect but a vast improvement over any Stick welding I had ever done. I am by no means a pro. Try to find some one with some experience to tweak the settings in the first time and just keep practicing.

 

I've got a Miller 210 .... no problems ... you'll just need to practice alot with it ...the Miller is simply wonderful to use. I don't use flux core .. I get some ugly welds if the feed speed is off .... or I forget to turn the gas on ???

 

I agree with Ryan, Get help setting it up right or even call the support people on it. Once you are certain you have the settings right then you can build a little more confidence in it. Then practise, practise, practise. You will be enjoying that Hobart in no time.<br> Good Luck!

 

[glow=red, 2, 300]hmm I always figured the Russians use Rivets on the MIGs[/glow]<br>

 

My welds look pretty chunky too. I have found that the biggest trick is getting the metal clean. Not like the old oxy-acet. days.<br><br>My ear is also very important in telling me how the weld os going...sizzle like a frying pan!<br>george. who has trouble sticking with it

 

It all really deals with the type of metal you are using, and then with the thickness. I have built various several trailers (one gooseneck and one bumper hitch) and i have done a pickup flatbed, along with other small projects. Once you get the hang of it, it is REALLY easy. Listen for what sounds like bacon frying and you are probably doing it right. We have a Millermatic MIG welder and two stick welders in the shop back home at the farm. <br> If you want to really get technical you can go deeper into what kind of wire you want to use, or what the CO2 content of the gas you are using. Well i will quit boring all y'all now.

 

It just takes pratice, pratice, pratice. And making sure you have it set up right it also how you weld to. I only have a bit of experience with MIG wire. I love stick and TIG. Well enjoy -Anthony

 

Man that sentence is all jacked up.<br>