MIG welders: Difference between revisions
From Pumping Station One
Created page with "PS1 owns several MIG welders: * Millermatic 252 has the highest output in its class (250 A at 28 VDC). Can weld up to 1/2" steel. * Lincoln Electric 3200HD can weld u..." |
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PS1 | This page provides general advice for safe use of the PS1 MIG welders. For details regarding specific machines, see the individual pages: | ||
* [[Millermatic 252]] has the highest output in its class (250 A at 28 VDC). Can weld up to 1/2" steel. | * [[Millermatic 252]] has the highest output in its class (250 A at 28 VDC). Can weld up to 1/2" steel. | ||
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* [[Lincoln Electric 100 WeldPak]] | * [[Lincoln Electric 100 WeldPak]] | ||
== General operation == | == General operation == | ||
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MIG welders generally have two controls, one for voltage and one for spooling speed. Every welder comes with a set of guidelines for setting these controls based on the the thickness of the metal you are welding, the gas being used, and other variables. Usually these guidelines can be found on a chart either on the outside of the welder or on an inside panel. | MIG welders generally have two controls, one for voltage and one for spooling speed. Every welder comes with a set of guidelines for setting these controls based on the the thickness of the metal you are welding, the gas being used, and other variables. Usually these guidelines can be found on a chart either on the outside of the welder or on an inside panel. | ||
We use 75% argon/25% CO2 gas. We use standard 0.030" wire (not flux core). | |||
Welding tips and contact tips are consumables. You can usually find spares inside the welders. | |||
<gallery> | |||
File:IMG 7819.jpg |Cleaning the welding tip with pliers| | |||
File:IMG 7820.jpg |Use a wire brush to clean off the contact tip| | |||
File:IMG 7821.jpg |The tank pressure should be above 500PSI (right gauge, red markings) and the line pressure should be 15 CFH (left gauge)| | |||
File:IMG 7818.jpg |When not in use, the gun should be placed in a holder| | |||
</gallery> | |||
=== Setting up === | === Setting up === | ||
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# Cut the wire tip using the pliers to the recommended length. You usually can get an appropriate length by laying the cutting blades of the pliers flat against the welding tip. | # Cut the wire tip using the pliers to the recommended length. You usually can get an appropriate length by laying the cutting blades of the pliers flat against the welding tip. | ||
# Open the main gas valve on the tank. Check that the gas pressure is above 500PSI. If it's below, press the button on the left wall that will tell Ron to order more gas. | # Open the main gas valve on the tank. Check that the gas pressure is above 500PSI. If it's below, press the button on the left wall that will tell Ron to order more gas. | ||
# Adjust the secondary valve so that the pressure reads | # Adjust the secondary valve so that the pressure reads 10 - 15 CFH (the correct pressure should be marked on the gauge). | ||
# Attach the ground clamp to either the table or the part, depending on what you're doing. | # Attach the ground clamp to either the table or the part, depending on what you're doing. | ||
# Close the screens behind you. | # Close the screens behind you. | ||
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=== Use === | === Use === | ||
* When not welding, rest the gun in the holder provided on the welding table to prevent accidental contact. | |||
* Check around periodically for stuff you set on fire. This thing puts out hot sparks. I set a rag on fire the first time I used it. I was confused why the authorizer had brought a smoldering rag for authorization - nope, that was me. | * Check around periodically for stuff you set on fire. This thing puts out hot sparks. I set a rag on fire the first time I used it. I was confused why the authorizer had brought a smoldering rag for authorization - nope, that was me. | ||
* You may want to brush the joints before welding. Be sure to pay attention to the labeling on the metal brush - steel only. | * You may want to brush the joints before welding. Be sure to pay attention to the labeling on the metal brush - steel only. | ||
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=== When Done === | === When Done === | ||
# Turn off the gas. | # Turn off the gas. | ||
# Set the spool speed to the lowest | # Set the spool speed and the voltage to the lowest levels possible. | ||
# | # Purge the gas by pull the trigger until the PSI reaches 0. | ||
# Cut off the extra wire you just fed in the above step. | # Cut off the extra wire you just fed in the above step. | ||
# Unplug. | # Unplug the machine. | ||
# Coil up | # Coil up the gun and ground clamp and put back the machine. | ||
# Brush off the mess from the table and then sweep, like the fine, upstanding citizen you are. | # Brush off the mess from the table and then sweep, like the fine, upstanding citizen you are. | ||
# Put away anything else you got out, like metals, gloves, face mask, clamps, magnets, etc. | # Put away anything else you got out, like metals, gloves, face mask, clamps, magnets, etc. | ||
