big MIG problem :(

[mikeyboy999]

ive got a clarke MIG welder at the moment, and ive just bought some more gas for it (argon co2), as it ran out when i was playing with it before. But now, gas is coming out when i pull the trigger, and so is the wire... but nothing else happens? just the gas hissing and wire coming out. Is it me doing something wrong?

 

[Bigjoe]

erm,basics ....has the cable got a good connection to the earth clamp? ........have you changed contact tips etc recently...failing that im not sure,weldequip should be able to give you more of an idea.

Sorry for being totally useless but my brain isnt awake tonight (as usual!)

Bigjoe

 

[mikeyboy999]

hi, nope i just changed the tip and checked the earth, i mean it was working fine yesterday as well... its just not welding now, just gas and wire coming out without the whole reaction melting shizz bizz.

 

[irondarren]

Somewhere somehow you are missing a complete circuit. Not much help i know, it might be an idea to open the case of the machine and look for loose wires. weldequip is the one who will have best idea as he sells and services the dam things.

 

[Wozzaaah]

hi, nope i just changed the tip and checked the earth, i mean it was working fine yesterday as well... its just not welding now, just gas and wire coming out without the whole reaction melting shizz bizz.

You've done the obvious tests and you've still got no power to the tip. Make absolutely sure all of the switches are either on or off, not somewhere in between. Failing that, maybe the PCB has developed a fault in which case I'm sure weldequip could help with a replacement if needed. Strange how it was working ok til you last powered it down though, I'd expect it to fail during use.
Woz

 

[cobminor]

You've changed the gas and now it doesn't work. Odds are on something you have done. Knocked a switch off, loosened a lead, pulled a cable. Give it a good check over. Have you checked both ends of the earth cable, not only the clamp? Have you touched the wire on the earth lead next to the clamp?