[Farmwelding]

Started work this past Tuesday at the local stainless steel bulk tank manufacturer and I'm loving it. Running 316 wire .035" with 98/2 blend for all the mig work and holy cow is it sensitive. I blink wrong and it turns from short arc to spray. Of course machines are cranked to 26-27 volts with water cooled mig guns for 11 gauge stainless usually. I'm just surprised at how easily it changes from short arc to spray in the blink of an eye.

[weldin mike 27]

Is that because of your stick out? If so, do you run with your hand steadying the torch? or the shroud resting on the job?

[Farmwelding]

Is that because of your stick out? If so, do you run with your hand steadying the torch? or the shroud resting on the job?

It is probably from a very small change in stick out. I was talking to one of my instructors at tech school and he said it is known to switch really quick with the gas. I'm steadying with my hand though

[noddybrian]

Congrats on getting the job - any wire / gas combination has a voltage threshold where it will begin spray transfer - I've not used the gas / diameter you have but I would think it's around the voltage your running so is it more likely just a few inches / min wire speed variation is what is causing the change ? often times how straight the torch hose is will slightly effect the wire speed due to drag / increased load on the drive motor & this in turn may cause the variation your seeing just from moving position / gun angle.