Thermal Arc 360

[Garreth]

Hi ! Hope you can help ?

I'm trying to use a Thermadyne Thermal Arc Fabricator 360 Mig welder. We bought it at work off Ebay - so no instructions !

The wire in the machine was rusty so I've replaced it with some new Nexus 0.8 mm wire, and fitted a new torch as the old one was minging !

Just one question though - the wire feeder appears to run slowly for about 4 seconds before speeding up ? The unit has a digital wire speed indicator and 2 roller wire feed. When you press the trigger the feeder unit runs at the same speed (regardless of wire feed speed) for about 4 seconds before speeding up to the desired wire speed.

Is this normal (and if so - any idea why ??) or is the unit faulty ? I haven't tried to weld with it yet (need some 0.8 tips) but I suspect it might burn back at first before the wire speed kicks in ?

Any ideas or assistance would be greatly appreciated !

Many thanks,

Garreth.

 

[madkayaker]

did you replace the liner?

 

[Garreth]

Yes - New torch, new blue liner.

Garreth

 

[Garreth]

Just realised I haven't written this very well.

I tried the unit without any wire and it still does it ?

Got some 0.8 tips and it does seem to work well - so maybe nothing to worry about ??

Garreth

 

[madkayaker]

I'm out of ideas I'm afraid maybe check for crabby connections

 

[Omniata]

Might be delayed to allow time for gas to flow through ???

 

[Robotstar5]

It's a slow start feature, can't remember proper name, we have it on Murex sets at work, you should be able to switch it off.
You are not confusing it with new wire feed feature on some welders - if no arc detected in about 2 secs it shuts off gas and weld current and just feeds wire through.

 

[Garreth]

Slow start sounds about right. Doesn't seem to affect the weld quality as I thought it might.

Can't see any way of turning it off ?

Just one other thing - it has a burn back control knob which I've just found above the wire feeder. Its labelled +5 to -5. How does this work ?

Sorry to sound so dim !

Garreth

 

[Robotstar5]

Burnback controls how much wire is left sticking out of the tip when you stop welding, would try +5 first then back it off.

 

[Sparkey]

Burnback controls how much wire is left sticking out of the tip when you stop welding, would try +5 first then back it off.

I normally have it set at +4.... but every person has his own preferences... (and my welder is an oerlikon btw)
can you post any pics of your welder? we might be able to help you turn off the slow start feature...

 

[ATID99]

if your near newcastle send me a message i may be able to help

 

[Garreth]

Thanks for the responses ! You are all very helpful - and kind !

The unit is at work in Leeds - I'll post a couple of pics on Monday.

Garreth

 

[Sparkey]

Thanks for the responses ! You are all very helpful - and kind !

The unit is at work in Leeds - I'll post a couple of pics on Monday.

Garreth

Great! always nice to help a fellow-welder! if we can!

 

[Tino]

We have two Hobart and a Thermal arc set (all the same) and I think they all do the slow wire thing if you just pull the trigger, if you pull the trigger and arc up you get full wire speed .I'm not sure if it can be turned off, I think not, but will have a look tomorrow. I think it is just to help prevent unintentional arc strikes

 

[Garreth]

Ah ! That would make sense !

I'll ask someone to watch the wire feed while I weld.

Many thanks for your assistance guys.

Cheers !

Garreth

 

[Jake SS]

It is probably normal function until it arcs, called "creep start" feature, a lot of machines have it usually it can be disabled
Cheers

 

[Garreth]

One more daft question !

The welder has two different negative connections which I believe is low and high inductance.

Can anyone explain in what circumstances you would use either low or high inductance ?

Cheers !

Garreth

 

[gavuk]

Are you sure they are both negative? my 180 thermal has + - for gassless operation ......Gav

 

[Robotstar5]

High inductance for low (<150A) current / dip transfer and low inductance for high current / spray transfer IIRC

 

[Garreth]

Cheers !

I need to have a proper play with it tomorrow - I'll try it all out

Best regards,

Garreth