The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Tool Chest MIG welder - Nice welder but why bad welds?

Here's the problem. I can't make a decent weld with my new (used) Lincoln welder. The weld crumbles off like crisp bacon. The polarity is set up for FLUX and I was told the wire was FLUX. Maybe it's not FLUX wire.

I just bought this used Lincoln SP-135 PLUS MIG welder. I got a great deal. I'm convinced it's in good working order but I can't make a nice weld bead.
I was told the wire in the machine was FLUX but now I doubt it and think it's gas wire. Is there any way to tell?

Also, the tips look like they are correct for gas welding. My Clarke 130EN was a gas welder and worked fine but this is a much nicer welder. The heat setting knob has much more fine tuning instead of only 4 settings like my Clarke welder had.
Here's the wire info from the web and a few pics below. If it was FLUX wire, would it say FLUX on the spool?

Lincoln SP-135 PLUS MIG welder
Spool
Spool Label
Gun
Tweco tip

Well, the wire clearly says CO2 Shielding gas which means it is not flux core. If you look at the recommendations on your machine, it recommends gas for under 20 gauge. I don't care for for flux wire welding, but if you weld where it is windy, it is your only choice.

I have a little Lincoln machine exactly like you have. I use it to weld light stuff in the wind or a quick weld where I don't want to carry a whole lot of contraption to it. This is the wire I use.

http://www.lincolnelectric.com/en-us/Consumables/Pages/product.aspx?product=Products_Consumable_Flux-CoredWires-Self-Shielded-Innershield-InnershieldNR-211-MP(LincolnElectric

It clearly says flux core.

ER70S-6 requires gas. Typically mix.

Thanks for the replies. With the polarity set for FLUX and the previous owner unfamiliar with things, I wrongly assumed it was FLUX wire. Once I get my new regulator and hose then I can hook up my bottle and start practicing. I think I'll be really happy with this Lincoln. I've only heard good things.

I have the same welder.. works well on sheet metal but does not have the amps or duty cycle to much more.

My little prop tip.. if using C2 mix you will get great welds at 10psi on the gauge UNLESS there is a breeze. Even with a shop fan I set it at 10psi and never had any porosity issues.

Thanks for the tip. I bought this welder and had my old welder sold within an hour for the same price I payed for this one. I traded up and broke even too! I like the fact that I can use a big size spool of wire and that will save money. Yes, I only feel comfortable doing sheet metal. I don't think I'll have a need to do any structural welding.

I love my Lincoln MIG, so far only used it for 1/4" and 3/8" farm fab projects so haven't sprung for the gas bottle yet. Mine is a 220, have a little more splatter with the flux wire, but cleans up well with wire brush on a die grinder, and bead looks really nice. Nice machine, think you'll enjoy it.

I love my Lincoln 180...small, yet 220v and bottle makes for great welds! And yes, watch the wind coming in the front of the shop. LOL

Yes, I'd prefer a Lincoln or Miller 180. However, I bought this Lincoln SP-135 PLUS for a picture of Ben Franklin.