Mig welding question

[yomax4]

Going back and re-reading your opening post you say that the arc stops intermittently but the wire keeps feeding. When the wire keeps feeding in between arcs is it cold wire or is it red hot?

 

[MoArk Willy]

I would think that the 20 years you have gotten from that machine equals money well spent and the machine is starting to lose its power. Transformers do go bad and that is what powers your arc.
That being said, take it apart and blow it out. While you are in there look for any signs of arcing, loose or frayed wire. Inspect the coil for any burned spots. Any odors produced when welding?
Does it have a burnt odor when off?
As I said 20 years is a long time for a relatively inexpensive welder to last. Especially a machine who's sole function is to get shorted out repeatedly.

 

[handirifle]

I think the tip MIGHT have been the issue. It was pretty cruddy, actually. Swapped with a new one and this is what it looks like. I was in the middle of another project so no long time welding, but am hopeful.

Thanks for the assistance.

 

[handirifle]

I want to get my gas tank filled and do some solid wire welding. Gettin kinda tired of all the splatter.

 

[WranglerX]

I want to get my gas tank filled and do some solid wire welding. Gettin kinda tired of all the splatter.

Once I went to solid wire and gas I never looked back, except when conditions absolutely dictate flux core (which is very seldom) ...

Dale

 

[handirifle]

Going back and re-reading your opening post you say that the arc stops intermittently but the wire keeps feeding. When the wire keeps feeding in between arcs is it cold wire or is it red hot?

Never noticed, but if this tip is not the issue I will take notice. Hopefully that was it, but if not you guys have given me lots more to watch for.

 

[handirifle]

As for the solid core/gas, I went back to flux for several reasons. One being penetration, with this little machine I need all I can get at times. The other was cost. Plus its a 40 mile one way drive to swap the tank.

Third was laziness and convience. Lol. Don't have to be QUITE as clean with the flux core, but I try to clean it as much as possible. Just that sometimes on the property, repairs can't be cleaned as much as I would like.

 

[jaxs]

Hopfully the tip is your problem and is now solved but before parting,there's something else you might need to watch out for. If you sometimes wear that green sweater while welding,check the label for fabric content. As a matter of personal safty,if synthetic is listed,you should not wear it while welding.

 

[handirifle]

Thanks. Its an old sweat jacket I work in around the house. My gloves come almost to my elbows, and just bought a leather welding apron that goes from neck to almost my knees. I'm not real tall LOL.

I took the gloves off for the pic. I was actually involved in another project and swapped tips while waiting on something else, and ran that bead just to check. Then snapped the pics.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I also bought a leather welding apron. Very handy when you are not wearing your worst clothes. I had a tattered Kenora Dinner Jacket that actually caught on fire while welding Galvanized! That's always fun, to stop welding and realize your on FIRE!