[Three Peaks]

Maybe somebody here can help me out with this problem-

I bought a used wire feed welder- a Miller 135 Mig with bottle and everything included. I haven't used the Mig setting yet or hooked up the bottle, but that isn't the issue at the moment (I don't think) I thought this set up would be the cat's whiskers for this type of fabrication.
I'm using .035 self shielding flux core wire at the highest setting on the machine.

When I'm welding, sometimes the welder starts just jumping, like the wire is jumping in the gun and not striking an Arc when it hits the metal right away. I can't tell if the feed is jumping or I'm losing my arc but it is driving me crazy.

Anybody ever have this happen?

Another problem I'm having is that I have a hard time seeing my joint when welding with the wire feed. With the stick welder it isn't a real problem. Do you guys use a lighter lens for wire feed welding? I think I have a #10 in my helmet now. I noticed if I keep my shield glass real clean it helps a little, but not quite enough.

At this point, except for some tacking chores, I'm back to using my old Miller buzz box stick welder for important work. I'm definitely not a pro welder- in fact, I hope my welds are pretty much where they won't be seen at this point. Thank goodness for a good 4 1/2" grinder!

Thanks, Bob