[Welding2013]

I am trying to weld 1/8th inch steel with a galvi coating.
Using an old Forney FS 225 Vw welder. Rod: 6010, 3/32th.

The unit has a high & low scale. Ground is connected to ground, the stick holder to the high scale at 110 amps.

It starts OK, but it either sticks or doesn't maintain a burn so I can't run a bead. I have used this unit before on heavier metal without galvi coating & it worked fine. It has a short cable to 220 v power (under 10 feet) but the ground & stick holder cables are 15-20 ft long.

I am an accomplished MIG & TIG welder. Have a converter tig machine with Arc capacity that I tried on this material & it worked fine. The simple solution would be to use it but it can't be moved outside (where the work is being accomplished) as easily as the Forney as it is a one function machine & much smaller. (plus it doesn't have a tanks connected to it)

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[MinnesotaDave]

On AC only machines with the high/low scale - the Low side has a higher Open Circuit Voltage (OCV).

Always use the low side until you run out of amps and actually need the high side.

Also, you need to switch to 6011 rods for AC.

6010 rods are DC rods and will give you no end of trouble on AC.

3/32" 6010/6011 rods have a general range of 40-85 amps.

[Welding2013]

Thx.
I'll give that a try.
James