Forney 125 FC, Operating Manual

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1. Handle - Rugged, top mounted handle allows for easy transport of your welder and a place
to wrap your cables.
2. Wire Speed Control - Use this dial to adjust the speed at which the welder feeds wire to the
gun (1 is the slowest and 10 is the highest). You will need to adjust or “tune-in” your wire
speed for different welding conditions (thickness of metals, metal type, wire size, etc.).When
the wire speed is properly “tuned-in” the welding wire will melt into the material you’re
welding as quickly as it is fed through the welding gun.
3. Voltage Selector - This two position switch adjusts the voltage or “heat” of your welder. Select
“Sheet Metal” setting for lower voltage and “Thin Plate” setting for higher voltage. Different
materials and material thickness will require different voltage settings. You will need to adjust
your voltage accordingly for different welding conditions. By properly adjusting your voltage
settings and wire feed speed, you will produce clean welds. (Refer to the Suggested Settings
Chart on the inside panel of the welding machine)
4. Power Switch - This switch turns the welder ON and OFF. (Make sure the power switch is in
the OFF position before performing any maintenance on the welder.)
5. Power Cord - This is a standard, grounded 120 volt power cord. (Make sure you are using a
properly grounded 120 Volt AC, 60Hz, single phase, 20 amp power source.)
6. Ground Clamp and Cable
-Attaching the ground clamp to your work piece completes the
welding current circuit. You must attach the ground clamp to the metal you are welding. If
the ground clamp is not connected to the metal work piece you intend to weld, the welder
will not have a completed circuit and you will be unable to weld. A poor connection at the
ground clamp will create an erratic arc. Scrape away dirt, rust, scale, oil or paint before
attaching the ground clamp.
7. Welding Gun and Cable - The welding gun controls the delivery of the welding wire to the
material to be welded. The welding wire is fed through the welding cable and welding gun
when the welding gun trigger is pulled. You will need to install a contact tip and welding
nozzle to the end of the welding gun prior to welding.
WARNING: ELECTRIC SHOCK CAN KILL! To remove the risk of electric shock, be aware
that the POWER switch, when OFF, does not remove power from all internal circuitry in the
welder.
The POWER SWITCH controls the main power to the welder and lights up when the welder is
ON. When the switch is OFF there is power to some areas of the welder.
When working inside the welder or when removing panels on the welder, make sure the welder
is unplugged from the wall outlet.
An important factor in making a satisfactory weld is preparation. This includes studying the process and
equipment and then practice welding before attempting to weld finished product. An organized, safe,
convenient, comfortable, well-lit work area should be available to the operator. The work area should
specifically be free of all flammables with both a fire extinguisher and bucket of sand available.
To properly prepare for welding, it is necessary to:
• Prepare an organized, well-lit work area.
• Provide protection for the eyes and skin of the operator and bystanders.
• Set up the work piece and make the ground clamp connection.
Controls and Indicators
Preparations for Welding