torch trigger settings

[chickenwire]

Recently purchased a small Cigweld Weldskill 135 for light panel and chassis welding on a Datsun rally car. I have done a few practice welds and some basic patching up and crack welding in the past.

What happens is that when I pull the trigger the wire feed and current switches on first (light pressure on trigger). To get the gas flowing it requires a lot more pressure on the trigger and finally the gas flows.

Is this sequence correct? Shouldn't the gas come out first to shield the area before current and wire feed commences? Is it common for torches to need this sort of adjustment?

Cheers, Aaron.

 

[pedrobedro]

If it is a basic welder with no gas solenoid it could just be something like an O ring that has hardened and is making the trigger harder to press, there is not usually two different stages on a mig trigger unless it is a sophisticated machine with a remote torch.

 

[500e]

Have you got the instruction book ? if so read section 5 there is a full circuit diagram, the gas valve is controlled by the trigger switch ( normally off) this completes a rectifier circuit supplying volts to valve coil.
A suggestion is sticky valve assembly, there is no secondary switch position shown in diagrams, or in write up, big file to down load 22meg

http://www.cigweld.com.au/product/diy/weldskill-135-mig-portable-welding-machine/
Then download Instructions will take time, make a drink

 

[chickenwire]

thanks

Great, thanks guys I'll have a look at both of those ideas and see how I go.

Cheers, Aaron.

 

[chickenwire]

fixed!

OK fixed it. The problem was in the torch setup, basically a manufacturing fault. There are two mechanisms within this particular torch. One mechanism is an electrical switch which triggers the current and wire feed. The other mechanism is a brass plunger which opens a valve to allow the gas to flow. The trigger was not depressing the brass plunger until after well after the electrical switch was clicked on, in fact the only reason I had been able to get the gas to flow at all is because I squeezed the trigger so hard it was pushing the whole electrical switch (not just the little clicky bit) up far enough to get the brass plunger moving.

Easy fix, superglued a 1mm thick piece of plastic on top of the trigger where it engages the brass plunger, now it pushes the plunger at the same time as the electrical switch goes click and it all works as it should.

PS I'm pretty confident there is no electrical valving in this model which releases the gas, I can get gas flow with the thing turned off by pulling the trigger.

Cheers, Aaron.

 

[skotl]

Good work, Aaron

Sounds like the same set up as the torch on SIPs

 

[pedrobedro]

OK fixed it.Easy fix, superglued a 1mm thick piece of plastic on top of the trigger where it engages the brass plunger, now it pushes the plunger at the same time as the electrical switch goes click and it all works as it should.

Can't beat a bit of bodgery Remember to turn the cylinder off when you finish welding in case you leave the torch resting on something and come back to find the gas all gone.