Welding Tips and Tricks

Hi Folks,
I have my MIG welder dialed in pretty good for 1/8" mild steel, but I'm getting a lot of splatter and winding up with lots of beebees.
Can you tell me what's causing it?
I've had penetration problems with this machine, so I have the power maxed out and the wire speed at 5. I have tried speeding up the wire, but the machine can't seem to handle any faster than 5. It starts pushing back on the gun and knocking my hand all over the place.
I'm using C25 gas.
Thanks,
Scotty Babb

Posible ground issues.

What welder are you using? Specs.?

Output Amperage Range: 25-135 A
Maximum Output No Load Voltage: 28 V DC
Maximum Input Amperage: 20 Amp
Input Voltage: 120 VAC 60 Hz
Rated Duty Cycle: 20% @ 90 A
Torch Consumables: Tweco Style 1 and 2
Wire Feed Rate: 40-450 IPM

Eastwood's own MIG 135 Welder: as good as the "name brands", but at a fraction of the price!

Welds mild and stainless steel as thin as 24-gauge
Welds up to 3/16" with solid core wire
Welds up to 1/4" with flux core wire
25-135-amp welding range
Tweco-Style Gun and Consumables
Powered by standard 120v household current

Keep the stickout to ~3/8" for less than .030 wire and no more than 1/2". That will help with both problems if you are not doing this already. Clean the joints and ground clamping area down to shiny metal. Bevel the edges for most joint types when you are running at the top end. Add a little pre-heat if there is still penetration problems.

.030 is what I have in my 135A machine and that has worked well for the variety of work. I had it on a dedicated 20A circuit with a thick extension cord. It was a 12 gauge cord or thicker.

Thanks MFleet,
I will follow your advice. I have never tried preheating. I'll get my electrician to install a dedicated 20A circuit.
I have been trying to keep a short stickout and i think that's been helping. My shop is small, so no need for any extension cord.
THANKS!

You probably already have a 20A, but there is usually other stuff plugged in. You don't want anything else sapping power from it while you are welding.

I had to install the circuit at the old place just to run an air compressor. That outlet was borrowed when I had the need.

Jeff