bought a portamig some time ago and it seems a quality bit of kit but it seems to just lack crisp starts I've been used to with hobby migs. Even on clean metal with a good earth, it momentarily pops and stutters before the weld stabilises and then it's fine holding a decent arc ? Any ideas ?
- Thread starter PSweeney
- Start date
My 235 does that too. I thought it was down to cheap wire or something. My old Clarke was much better in this respect.
Saying that, I have been using an indirect earth a fair bit when working on practice pieces. Maybe attaching the return lead to a roasting tray and welding off that is a bad idea.
Something to troubleshoot at the weekend and see if a direct return from the workpiece improves things.
Saying that, I have been using an indirect earth a fair bit when working on practice pieces. Maybe attaching the return lead to a roasting tray and welding off that is a bad idea.
Something to troubleshoot at the weekend and see if a direct return from the workpiece improves things.
Jim Davey
R H Davey Welding Supplies Ltd
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What you describe as a good earth in all probability isn't. Clean up the faces of the earth clamp jaws with a file, and sand a good clean area of the workpiece and clamp directly on it.
Poor initial start up on MIG is mostly down to a bad/high resistance Earth connection.
Poor initial start up on MIG is mostly down to a bad/high resistance Earth connection.
