Product Manual
Page 28 of 47
different positions until you find the one that seems to work best for you.
3. POSITION OF THE TORCH TO THE WORK PIECE - There are two angles of the torch
nozzle in relation to the work piece that must be consider when welding.
a. Angle a can be varied, but in most cases the optimum angle will be 60 degrees, the
point at which the torch angle is parallel to the work piece. If angle A is increased,
penetration will increase. If angle A is decreased, penetration will decrease also.
b. Angle B can be varied for two reasons: to improve the availability to see the arc in
relation to the weld puddle and to direct the force of the arc.
c. DISTANCE FROM THE WORK PIECE - If the nozzle is held off the work piece, the
distance between the nozzle and the work piece should be kept constant and should
not exceed 1/4 inch or the arc may begin sputtering, signaling a loss in welding
performance.
d. TUNING IN THE WIRE SPEED - This is one of the most important parts of wire
welder operation and must be done before starting each welding job or whenever the
voltage setting or wire diameter is changed.
⚠WARNING
EXPOSURE TO A WELDING ARC IS EXTREMELY HARMFUL TO THE EYES AND SKIN!
Prolonged exposure to the welding arc can cause blindness and burns. Never strike an arc or
begin welding until you are adequately protected. Wear flame-proof welding gloves, a heavy long
sleeved shirt, trousers without cuffs, high topped shoes, and an ANSI approved welding helmet.
e. Connect the Ground Clamp to a scrap piece of the same type of material which you
will be welding. It should be equal to or greater than the thickness of the actual work
piece, and free of oil, paint, rust, etc.
f. Select a heat setting.
g. Hold the torch in one hand. Hold the wire just off the work piece. (See step 2 above:
HOLDING THE TORCH, if you are uncertain of the angle at which you will be
welding.)
h. Set the wire feed speed based on the thickness of material and the set-up chart on
the back side of the wire feeder door.
i. Lower your welding helmet and pull the trigger on the torch and let the wire feed into
the work piece to start an arc, and then begin to drag the torch toward you.
j. LISTEN! If the arc is sputtering, increase the wire speed slightly and try again.
Continue increasing the wire speed adjustment until you achieve a smooth buzzing
sound. If the wire seems to "pound" into the work piece, decrease wire speed slightly
and try again. Use the wire speed control to slightly increase or decrease the heat
and penetration for a given voltage setting by increasing or decreasing the wire speed
slightly. Repeat this tune-in procedure if you select a new voltage setting, a different
wire diameter, or a different roll of wire.
4. WELDING TECHNIQUES
⚠WARNING
EXPOSURE TO A WELDING ARC IS EXTREMELY HARMFUL TO THE EYES AND SKIN!