Placing your welding machine in a different position question

[woodlandfarms]

So a friend was running his mig vertically (the blue box). It was properly ventillated but someone in the shop said he was ruining it,

For all machines, mig, tig, stick, barring blocking cooling air flow, why would having the box in a different position cause an issue.

 

[john40981]

good question, I also will be interested in the answer. I wouldn't have thought there would be a problem

 

[Reyer Farms]

Why is he set up like that? I would mindful of angle on leads, have liner trouble if in constant strain. Other than that, and air ?????

 

[Gary Fowler]

If I understand the issue correctly, the guy has the machine flipped 90 degrees from normal operation position. This looks to me like it would block one side of the airflow off. Not familiar with that machine, but normally welding machines inhale air from bottom or back side and exhaust it from both sides and sometimes the back as well. Turning it on its side would block the air flow a bit plus might really upset the conditions if it is designed to use natural ventilation rather than fan forced air.
I really don't understand why he would turn it on its side to start with.

 

[Western]

I knew one fella that did the same thing with a small mig, he did it because the spool fed better (it actually did). My thought was to figure out why the spool hung and make adjustments to fix it.

As Gary pointed out, I would be concerned with heat dissipation and the way it was designed to allow it.

 

[Shield Arc]

I turned a welder on it's side one time. I had to go in on a Saturday by myself to build something. Took a 966 loader with forks on it. Went to the far end of the job site, ran the forks under the welder started back to where I had to work. Hit the brakes, never dreamed the brakes were that touchy. Welder slide off the forks and rolled on it's side!:shocked: I jumped out of the loader and put a choker in the lifting eye, picked the welder up straight, and tried to start it. It wouldn't start! So I placed it off to the side, and went and got another one, but this time I used that choker in the lifting eye.
You guys are the first people I ever told what a bone head move I made that day! :shhh:

 

[BukitCase]

Which machine, and which side was up? The side where the leads come out, the side you open to change wire spools, or??? ... Steve

 

[chad22]

I turned a welder on it's side one time. I had to go in on a Saturday by myself to build something. Took a 966 loader with forks on it. Went to the far end of the job site, ran the forks under the welder started back to where I had to work. Hit the brakes, never dreamed the brakes were that touchy. Welder slide off the forks and rolled on it's side!:shocked: I jumped out of the loader and put a choker in the lifting eye, picked the welder up straight, and tried to start it. It wouldn't start! So I placed it off to the side, and went and got another one, but this time I used that choker in the lifting eye.
You guys are the first people I ever told what a bone head move I made that day! :shhh:

I'll be sure to not tell anyone. My lips are sealed. lol

Chad

 

[yomax4]

There is a steel door company I know of that hangs the Miller 251 units face down from the ceiling above the huge long work tables. They have 6 for sure and they have been fine like that.. They hang down and use real short guns. Shouldn't hurt anything.

 

[woodlandfarms]

it was face up, so he could access the controls. Butt side down but ventilated. It took up a bit less space (this would be one of the suitcase sized machines).