Welding Tips and Tricks

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.

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?

weldin mike 27 wrote: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

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.