Forney MIG 180FI, Operating Manual

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lowing recommendations are based on the
electrical output characteristics and metal
thickness capabilities of this specific MIG
welder.
Gas Selection For Steel Welding With
Steel Wire
For either mild or low carbon (High Strength
Structural) steel, use a gas mixture of 75%
Argon and 25% Carbon Dioxide. DO NOT
USE Argon gas concentrations higher than
75% on steel. The result will be extremely poor
penetration, porosity, and brittleness of weld.
This gas mixture helps to prevent burn
through and distortion on very thin steel yet
provides good penetration on thicker steel.
Its ability to minimize spatter results in clean,
smooth weld appearances. In addition, it pro-
vides good puddle control when welding ver-
tically or overhead.
Gas Selection For Stainless Steel Welding
The best shielding gas for stainless steel
welding is a mixture of 90% Helium, 7.5%
Argon, and 2.5% Carbon Dioxide. However,
the 100% Argon, can also be used, but an
increase in the area being heated by the arc
will be experienced causing slightly greater
distortion of the base metal.
Gas Selection For Steel Welding With
Silicon Bronze Wire
Use only pure Argon when welding steel with
Silicon-Bronze wire.
Gas Selection For Aluminium Welding
with Aluminium Wire
Use only pure Argon when welding Aluminium.
INSTALLING THE SHIELDING GAS
WARNING
IMPROPER HANDLING AND MAINTENANCE
OF COMPRESSED GAS CYLINDERS AND
REGULATORS CAN RESULT IN SERIOUS
INJURY OR DEATH! Always secure gas cylin-
ders to the welding cart, a wall, or other fixed
support to prevent the cylinder from falling
over and rupturing. Read, understand, and fol-
low all the COMPRESSED GASSES AND
EQUIPMENT HAZARDS in the SAFETY
SUMMARY at the front of this manual. Secure
your gas cylinder to the welding cart, or other
fixed support.
1. Remove the protective cap from the cylin-
der and inspect the regulator connecting
threads for dust, dirt, oil, and grease.
Remove any dust or dirt with a clean
cloth. DO NOT ATTACH YOUR REGULA-
TOR IF OIL, GREASE, OR DAMAGE
ARE PRESENT.
2. Open the cylinder valve FOR JUST AN
INSTANT to blow out any foreign matter
inside the valve port. Never aim the open
valve cylinder port at yourself or
bystanders.
3. Screw the regulator into the cylinder
valve and tighten with a wrench.
4. Firmly push the gas hose over barbed fit-
tings on back of welder and regulator.
5. Secure both ends of hose onto barbed fit-
tings with hose clamps.
CHECK THE GAS FLOW
WARNING
IMPROPER HANDLING AND MAINTE-
NANCE OF COMPRESSED GAS CYLIN-
DERS AND REGULATORS CAN RESULT IN
SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. To reduce the
risk of injury or death, always stand to the side
of the cylinder opposite the regulator when
opening the cylinder valve, keeping the cylin-
der valve between you and the regulator.
Never aim the open cylinder valve port at your-
self or bystanders. Failure to comply with this
warning could result in serious personal injury.
Note: If the cylinder you have is equipped with
male regulator connecting threads instead of
female, you will need to obtain a special com-
pressed gas cylinder adaptor from your gas
supplier to install between your gas cylinder
and regulator.
-The gas control function does not require
the welder to be turned on or plugged in.
-To avoid damage to your regulator, make
sure you have the regulator valve closed
before opening the cylinder valve.
1. Slowly crack open the cylinder valve, then