Click Here
How To

How to Troubleshoot Welding Machines

Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(5 Ratings)

A MIG welder is a complicated machine, unlike the stick welder. You can lose a lot of time if you must wait for someone else to fix the MIG. If you know basic troubleshooting for your welding machines, you can save a lot of time and a lot of money.

Difficulty: Moderate
Instructions
  1. Step 1

    See if the wire is feeding properly. A worn drive roller can affect the feed and cause it to slip. When you're checking, look for debris and dirt on the liner. This can also cause bird nesting. Sometimes troubleshooting welding machines is as simple as cleaning it and allowing the wire to move freely.

  2. Step 2

    Look at the tip near the wire exit, inside of the gun. A worn out tip doesn't allow the electricity to efficiently hit and creates a lot more work on the job. Burn back can cause a bad wire.

  3. Step 3

    Clean the welding cup of the splatter. This task seems mundane, but troubleshooting welding machines usually involves clean components. Proper gas coverage cannot occur if the cup is plugged.

  4. Step 4

    Inspect the ground clamp. When this part is coated with oxides, electrons can't readily transfer. A bad ground clam can cause a lot of resistance and change the way that the current comes back to the machine.

  5. Step 5

    Examine the welding cable for worn spots. A badly worn can cause problems.

  6. Step 6

    Adjust the brake on the wire spool. Setting it too high or too low can cause problems with your machine operation.

Tips & Warnings
  • Sometimes you can overlook the simplest things when you're troubleshooting welding machines, so always go from the simple to the more complex.
  • Always have a qualified electrician look at the parts on the inside of the machine.
  • Don't continually subject your MIG welder to thermal overload, which could cause permanent damage.

Comments  

gostosaao said

Flag This Comment

on 6/9/2008 Somebody else has electric and electronic schematic for ESAB and elektra beckum welding machine.If yes send me by email please eletrica2@luftbrasil.com.br

Post a Comment

Post a Comment
  • Have you done this? Click here to let us know.
I Did This

Related Ads

Local Listings
Get Free Cars Newsletters

Copyright © 1999-2009 eHow, Inc. Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the eHow Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.   en-US

eHow Cars
eHow_eHow Cars