Just a quick update...
I sawed off the end of my nozzle ::) in an effort to reduce stick out
Been out this morning with new shortened nozzle and also plugged in to the mains as opposed to an extension lead. I started off welding 3mm steel. I got to say, right from the off there feels like theres more power in this thing. placebo? not sure. however I thought id go right back to basics. I re-read everything everyones put and watched basics videos etc.
so started running beads on the 3mm and first one I did got real good penetration...so much so that it started coming through the other side as opposed to just a ''leech'' mark.
Ran a few more beads... no problem. then I started getting globules of molten on my tip. and then it kept happening. so I reduced WFS. That sorted it but obviously then started to only make occasional contact and the weld was crap. very frustrating. the only solution was to increase my tip distance to what felt like too much. but then I got the machine gun rattle.
I think I haven't been paying enough attention to my tip distance. some times I get globules on the tip. other times it would sound like a machine gun drive by shooting (too far away) haha. and then other times it would weld ok. I tried to listen for the bacon sizzling. got it a couple of times but it just didn't seem to ever last long.
finally, I got a much better view of the puddle with a 45 degree angle as opposed to the 20 degree youre supposed to have. andthat felt most comfy and the weld seemed to go a bit better when I did that so that's what I stuck to.
ill keep practising but I think I may have to invest in a course at my local college cos I really wanna get this down cos I do really enjoy it.
anyways a few piccies. what do you think? not great but not the worst ive ever seen