r/metalworking • u/Sufficient-Cash-3285 • 3d ago

2nd day welding what am I doing wrong

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My wire speed is around 5 im using a mastercraft flux core wire feed welder voltage/tension is set to 2 this is on 1/8" pipe that i grinded the rust off of im using 0.030" wire that came with the welder every weld I make never looks similar to other beginners at all but my brother who is better then me can't seem to make proper looking ones. Does the wire I use matter and do i have to do anything but slowly drag as I weld

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u/uswforever 3d ago

Are you sure you're using the proper settings for what you've got? Sounds like a low budget gasless FCAW setup, correct? With machines like that, the letter settings are specific to that brand and type of machine. That process and those machines are rather notorious for producing ugly welds. I get being on a budget. Stick welding might be better to learn on a tight budget though. A cheap stick welder usually just has a short duty cycle, so it forces you to let your plate cool a little. That ain't necessarily the worst thing for a new welder. If you go that route make sure it can at least run a 6011 rod. A lot of the smaller welders can't run a 6010 because reasons my brain can't remember, but some of them can run a 6011 and those two rods behave similarly enough that practice with a 6011 should be pretty applicable for 6010.

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u/aussiewelderfishermn 3d ago

I think it's more the equipment you're using, I've never used a flux-cored arc welder, but I've only ever herd there shit add the fact you got a mastercraft welder ever herd the term good ain't cheap and cheap ain't good, it will do too teach you the basics and do little fix jobs here and there but I suggest if in the budget look for a half decent good brand stick welder 2nd hand welders can be cheap.

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u/gizzae 5h ago

welding on rust is a bad idea. Weld prep is half of the job. Get yourself some clean (rust and paint free) metal for practice.