New to Welding, need help

[tk1218]

Tried welding sheet metal today and was burning holes right through the metal. I have a 90 amp wire mig welder.

Is the wire maybe feeding too fast or too slow?

 

[jdcone]

Too hot. You need lower amperage

 

[fatboy]

Too much heat. What welder do you have? My Miller has a chart on the inside cover where the spool goes that tells you where to start with wire speed and power setting, and has been right on for the most part.

 

[tk1218]

Have cheapo Harbor freight. Only has Max and Min setting for the amps, but does have 1 - 10 for wire speed.

 

[Bitch'nBronco]

I have the same one, what kind of outlet do you have it plugged into? I usually run mine on max btwn 6 and 8 fer sheet metal

 

[vertex]

I am not sure what size wire you are using but I always use 0.023" wire for thin sheet metal. Most welders come with 0.035 or 0.030 size wire. Using the small wire will also allow you to turn the voltage down but you need to turn the wire feed speed up a little.

 

[tk1218]

Plugged into a power bar that is plugged into the garage GFI outlet. Extension cord to the power bar.

Using .035, on lowest speed with max amps (bigger is better right ) Not sure my Harbor Freight welder will accept any other size wire, but will check it out. Here is the welder I have http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=94056 Looks like it only takes .035 or .030

I am trying to lay down a bead, but maybe this welder will not work like that. I guess I will go to the drill holes approach. The problem is that part of the floor pans do not overlap, I will be welding the pieces together. Maybe tack it and then use bond to fill, not sure.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Explorer]

That welder is just not set up for body panels. If you go to .030 wire and the lowest setting, you might get the floor pans in. You need to overlap and rosett/plug weld the pan's. I don't think you'll ever butt weld with it, but forget the bead and spot weld it, spacing them apart say a foot apart and then go back in between over and over till done making sure to allow welds to cool. You can back up your welds with a piece of copper and increase your chances of not burning thru. Google some welding sites for tips and technique. Good luck.

 

[BlazinCopper]

Also depends on how thick your metal is. It's hard to run a bead on thinner metals 18 gauge or thinner especially if your butting up against original rusty Bronco sheetmetal ;D If your putting in floor pans you just need to spot weld them in.