Zap! Zap! Zap! My welding stinks.

What they said, and keep that ground clamp near the weld. Makes a huge difference with consistency in my experience.

 

Quote:

"harbor freight wire isnt to bad"

I think you must have had a roll from an ok batch, my welding SUPPLIER was buying wire here and there wherever it was cheapest, and stuck me with a bunch of crap, you really can tell a difference. I won't buy anything but name wire now, my life is riding on some of these welds. Weld to live, weld to ride....

 

Sounds like you found your problem ,I know my welds go south when the tip needs to be replaced. the wire running through it wears it out over time and kind of sneaks up on me.

 

I know you don't want to hear this.... Get a TIG welder, you have a lot more control of the penetration and heat as well as being able to do alum. I use both, a MIG to tack stuff and a TIG to finish it....