Bobcat 250 EFI + 12VS Extreme Flux Core to Bottle

[RedBarnNate]

Greetings community! Please bear with me, as my mechanic is the gifted welder, and I'm definitely a beginner when it comes to welding terminology & knowledge.

Our farm equipment business purchased a Miller Bobcat 250 EFI Generator/Welder, along with a Suitcase 12VS Extreme awhile back. The company outfitted us with flux-core wire for welding in the "field" where we have to deal with wind issues.

We have the unit set up as best as we can (settings) for the flux core wire, but still deal with weld quality & splattery weld. We are building some small trailer hitches using 6013 & arc welding, but my mechanic wants to speed up the process by changing to wire for in-shop build projects.

From what I understand, all I need to do is add a bottle/regulator, and change wire. Does this sound right? I assume the 250 + 12VS is a good setup for us to run for in-shop build projects, running a bottle & co2?

Thanks,
Nate

[H80N]

Welcome Aboard..

From what I understand, all I need to do is add a bottle/regulator, and change wire. Does this sound right? I assume the 250 + 12VS is a good setup for us to run for in-shop build projects, running a bottle & co2?

Thanks,
Nate

You will also need to flip the polarity

Electrode Positive (DCEP): For solid steel, stainless steel, aluminum, or flux core with gas wires (GMAW).

Electrode Negative

(DCEN): Reverse lead connectionsat terminals from that shown above for gasless flux core wires (FCAW).


This MIG booklet might be helpful too

http://www.millerwelds.com/pdf/mig_handbook.pdf

[Cgotto6]

Some run co2, some run 75% argon-25%co2. If your looking for less spatter and such, the 75/25 is probably more what your looking for.

[beamwalker]

You can also run .068 or .072 233 or 232 innershield. I can weld out 1/4" 10' long in about 45 min. Also use 212 .045 wire. I run all that thru a suitcase.

[MMW]

Set up/use is slightly different for inner shield wires (no gas) vs. flux core with gas. Different stick out, voltage, wire speed etc. for the same size wire. Properly set up you should get very minimal spatter with gas & not much more with inner shield. Look up the parameters for the wire you are using & start there.

Yes you can get a bottle of gas to hook to your feeder. Again read the manufacturers specs for the wire you have chosen & start with that. Different brands of wire run differently. Skip the .068 wire as your machine is to small for that & run .045.

You need to weigh the extra labor cost of using stick vs. the wear & tear on an engine drive, gas used & noise to see if it worth while in the shop. I would ditch the 6013 for 7018 if you have an ac/dc machine. If this is something you will do quite often then I would look into getting a shop mig such as a 252.

[johnnyg340]

Don't forget to use V-GROOVE drive rolls for solid wire

[MMW]

Don't forget to use V-GROOVE drive rolls for solid wire

Yes & v-groove knurled rollers for both gas & gasless flux core wires.

[RedBarnNate]

Here is the wire that I mentioned above, that we currently have installed...

ProStar Gasless Flux Cored Carbon Steel
Alloy: E71T-GS
Wire Dia: .035"
Stock: PRSS222308-722
Heat: S037031

[RedBarnNate]

Here is what we are currently building at our shop. We have complete 1 & it is being used currently, and are just finishing up 2 more. We will most likely be building 10 more. The customer wanted a hitch that was bulkier & stronger than a locally sourced cheap alternative. He uses them on compact CAT 1 tractors that pull fruit bin trailers for cherry harvest.

An operator can more easily load/unload/hook up to trailers running the hitch off 3 point. Also, this places the pivot point of the trailer "further back" from the tractor, allowing for tighter turns without binding & tire rub.

The builder is grinding welded surfaces to a "v" prior to welding. He is making 2 passes with 1/8" 6013 on our bobcat 250.

[Cgotto6]

The weld in the last pic looks kind of cold.

[MMW]

Just my personal opinion but I don't like Prostar wire. I have tried it twice, although not that exact one, & it just doesn't flow well. I would recommend setting up your feeder for .045 flux core (gasless & gas). .035 is kinda small for using around the farm on machinery etc. I like Hobart 21b in gasless & esab 7100 ultra with gas. I also like Triple 7 with gas.

Since you are running stick off the Bobcat I would switch to 7018.

[Tryagn5]

welds..

Not to start a war here, but i would teach your welder how to weld with his current setup before you give him another procese to learn. Thoose welds are terrible, they are cold, have poor appearance, and do not speak very highly of the work in your shop.
Kevin

[4956]

These fillet welds were done with 1 pass of .045 Excel Arc 71 and 75/25. Slag removed with a quick pass from a needle scaler.

[RedBarnNate]

Not to start a war here, but i would teach your welder how to weld with his current setup before you give him another procese to learn. Thoose welds are terrible, they are cold, have poor appearance, and do not speak very highly of the work in your shop.
Kevin

Challenging to do this. I'm inexperienced in the field. Mechanic has been welding on/off for farm machinery repair & fabrication for longer than I have breathed air. Here's the settings he was using on the Bobcat...6013 1/8 electrode

60-160A
Amerage 4

I asked him about the weld being too "cool" and he showed me that it's "biting" in to the material along the bead.

[JTMcC]

Not to start a war here, but i would teach your welder how to weld with his current setup before you give him another procese to learn. Thoose welds are terrible, they are cold, have poor appearance, and do not speak very highly of the work in your shop.
Kevin

Right, no offense intended but those are not going to work out in a commercial environment for long. "Maybe" a farmer making an emergency field fix, maybe not.
You are ripe for the picking for any kid with mediocre-decent skills who's been to the local community college welding program and owns a chop saw and a buzz box.
That's a pretty harsh end product. The material is cut to size and the paint appears nice.
Not trying to steal your joy, but really, reconsider trying to sell those welds. Posting settings or going to a different (more expensive) process isn't going to help.
Time welding does not equal a saleable product.
Get a new welder, with medium type skills, and go to town. Even if he's a 18 year old, that guys years of experience are not gonna work if you intend to make any money.
Just my take, I'd be out of business if I was selling those, even in AgLand.

J

Those welds are "biting", but not in a good way. There really is a floor even in lower cost work.