Initial settings for 30A Spoolgun

[Dmaxer]

The owner's manual states 70 To 875 ipm wire feed speed. At a zero setting you should be getting 70 ipm and at a 10 setting, 875 ipm. I would expect it to be a linear progression in between. If that's true, at a 5 setting, you should be getting 502.5 ipm. You can verify that by using the technique gordfraser posted.

GS

I dunno, that doesn't quite make sense to me. It seems that IF the progression of wire speed is linear, figuring out what a "5" means might go something like this:

Since there are 11 numerical settings on the 30A, including the the "0" and the "10", then "5" is .4545 of maximum. Multiply .4545 times 805 (possible inches per minute settings between min of 70 and max of 875) and you get about 366 ipm. To 366 add 70 (baseline minimum) and you get the answer that "5" = 436 ipm.

Does anyone know for sure if 30A wfs settings are linear?

[Dmaxer]

I dont see the need to know that, Set the voltage or temputure and then fine tune wire speed as your welding.
Doing it this way will by far give you better results that a pre determined setting by the factory.
In put voltage from the utility and what machine your using will vary.
Using settings that the factory recommends will however get you close.

Portable Welder, I believe you're right about final settings being based on fine-tuning the wfs. I'm just trying to get close to the factory recommendation with the initial setting lacking a wfs readout.

[vpd66]

Ok, I have a 1995 millermatic 250 and the 30A spoolgun. Here are some settings that will get you in the ball park. 3/16" aluminum- 24.75 volts, wirespeed set to 4.25 on spoolgun, 1/8" aluminum-20.75 volts, wirespeed 3.75 on spoolgun. these two settings are with .035 4043 wire. Never weld thicker then 3/16" aluminum with .035 wire. You should use .047 (3/64") on 1/4" and bigger. With .047 4043 wire a good setting for 1/4" aluminum is: 25.75 volts, wirespeed 4 on spoolgun. Like someone else suggusted, get some scarp and practice. This setup will weld aluminum real nice once you get it dailed in. Watch out on welding aluminum. It is very easy to have a good looking weld, but when you break it there will be no penetration in the root of the weld. Do a couple practice tee joint welds and break them and check for penetration in the root. Hot and fast is the saying we use at work when it comes to welding aluminum. Good luck

[Dmaxer]

Thanks! That's helpful, vpd66.

[vpd66]

Hey, no problem
I went through the samething when I bought my 30A. I think I wrecked about 5 tips before I found some settings that welded decent. Another tip, stay away from 5356 wire. I never had any luck running on a 30A, but 4043 runs great.

[GilaSlim]

I dunno, that doesn't quite make sense to me. It seems that IF the progression of wire speed is linear, figuring out what a "5" means might go something like this:

snip...

Does anyone know for sure if 30A wfs settings are linear?

Dmaxer, yep, you right. I screwed up on that one. Thanks for the fix!

GS