21
OPERATION
Plug the machine into the mains supply or switch on at the isolator, and, ensuring
all precautions have been taken and with the machine set up correctly, lower
the torch to the workpiece with one hand, whilst holding the welding mask in the
other.
Approach the work with the tip at an angle of approx. 45
O.
and pull the torch
trigger fully.
As the electrode touches the workpiece, an arc will be struck....BUT, before it is
struck,
COVER THE FACE WITH THE FACE MASK.
Simultaneously gas will be generated, via the flux core in the wire, as the wire is
fed into the molten pool.
Maintain a gap of approx. 5 - 7mm from the workpiece to the tip.
The speed of weld will depend upon the wire speed and welding current.
NOTES:
As MIG welding is an aquired skill, it is strongly advised that, if you are not fully
familiar with this type of welding, you practise on a piece of material with the
same characteristics as that of your workpiece, until you are satisfied with the
result, and you have fine tuned your welder to produce a satisfactory weld.
One of the problems experienced with novice welders, is the welding wire sticking
to the contact tip. This is as a result of the wire feed speed being too slow. It is
always better therefore to start with too high a speed, and back off slightly, to
avoid the possibility of the wire welding itself to the tip. This is the reason position 6
is recommended for start up.
The Wire Feed control is for fine tuning the wire speed. The speed of wire delivery
will increase automatically as the current is increased from MIN to MAX, and vice
versa. Therefore, once the ideal speed is achieved, by fine tuning,it should not be
necessary to adjust this control when the welding current is changed.
Listen to the sound made. An irregular crackling sound denotes too high a wire
speed. Decrease the speed until a regular, strong buzzing sound is heard.
Thermal Overload
Should your welder cut out for no apparent reason, it is probable that the THERMAL
OVERLOAD has intervened. This is a safety device which shuts off the welder when
the duty cycle has been exceeded. This is to prevent damage to the machine
caused by overheating.
When this occurs, the ON/OFF switch will glow (amber). Allow the welder to cool,
until the amber light extinguishes before resuming.
For details of the duty cycle...i.e. the length of time the machine may be used
continuously, refer to the data and notes on page 27.
