[Jason_alex]

Hey guys, I am new here and I am having a problem with my wire feeder was wondering if any of you could help?

The wire feeder is a Hobart 2410 wire feeder and It is not flowing shielding gas.... any ideas? Mega mig 450

Thanks,
Jason

[Otto Nobedder]

Welcome, Jason!

Do you hear the gas solenoid click when you squeeze the trigger? If not, its likely electrical (and probably simple). If so, there's some sort of blockage.

This may seem obvious, but it happened to me once, and took a bit to figure out: The clamp holding the whip in the feeder was a bit loose, and the whip had moved out just enough to block the hole the gas flows through.

Steve S

[Jason_alex]

Okay found it one little loose wire all the way up under the wire feed motor......... I flat missed it..... thanks!!!

[Otto Nobedder]

Cool! That tell-tale click (or lack therof) will tell you a lot.

Steve S

[Jason_alex]

Okay so I got the wire reconnected and when i pull the trigger I can see the regulator cfm flow drop and when I let off it goes back it builds up a little. but I am still getting prorosity like i have no shielding gas, even have it flowing at 20cfh with only a 12' lead any thoughts?

[Otto Nobedder]

So you apparently have a two-stage regulator marked for flow, rather than a direct-read flowmeter (with the floating ball).

Is this machine new to you, or have you had good welds from it before?

A typical gas flow for MIG on a two-stage regulator is 30-35 cfh, so that might be worth a try. Failing that, check the diffuser and nozzle. Obstructions and trapped "boogers" will mess up the flow, causing turbulence and air mixing at the weld. If the trouble continues, you may have leakage in the system somewhere, either allowing air to be drawn into the shield gas, or loss of the gas.

You'll also be stunned at how many problems are caused by contaminated gas. There are endless threads on the subject here, and two of us (Braehill and myself) work in the gas industry, though in quite different aspects, so if you find none of the above issues, consider fresh gas. What gas are you using, by the way?

Another thought... There's a flowmeter your local welding supply has or can get for you, that measures the actual flow at the torch. I'll hunt a bit... Werkspace (I think) posted a pic of it in use on a TIG torch.

Edit: Wasn't Werkspace... Here's the topic, and the guage is on page one.
http://forum.weldingtipsandtricks.com/v ... f=5&t=4183

Steve S

[Braehill]

Jason,
Another thing that had me puzzled for awhile was that my set screw that holds the torch into the machine was loose and I must have pulled on it and it came out some blocking the flow. Make sure your torch is fully seated into the machine.

Len

[JDIGGS82]

Check for leaks as well not sure if it was mentioned and check the gas solenoid maybe pull the cover off the machine and check continuity across it see what it reads I'm sure done one here will help ya figure it out!

[Jason_alex]

So you apparently have a two-stage regulator marked for flow, rather than a direct-read flowmeter (with the floating ball).

Is this machine new to you, or have you had good welds from it before?

Yes, this is a new machine to me and I have not had good welds with it before.

A typical gas flow for MIG on a two-stage regulator is 30-35 cfh, so that might be worth a try. Failing that, check the diffuser and nozzle. Obstructions and trapped "boogers" will mess up the flow, causing turbulence and air mixing at the weld. If the trouble continues, you may have leakage in the system somewhere, either allowing air to be drawn into the shield gas, or loss of the gas.

Okay I will give this a shot bump it up to 30-35 cfg I am use to the ball style and was assuming that it was the same. Thank you for clearing that up for me. I will check the diffuser the nozzle is clean I will take some picture.

You'll also be stunned at how many problems are caused by contaminated gas. There are endless threads on the subject here, and two of us (Braehill and myself) work in the gas industry, though in quite different aspects, so if you find none of the above issues, consider fresh gas. What gas are you using, by the way?

Right now I am using 75/25 I have never personal had a problem with this gas but I will try a different bottle. If I don't find something above I have 2 other bottles on other welders.

Another thought... There's a flowmeter your local welding supply has or can get for you, that measures the actual flow at the torch. I'll hunt a bit... Werkspace (I think) posted a pic of it in use on a TIG torch.

Edit: Wasn't Werkspace... Here's the topic, and the guage is on page one.
http://forum.weldingtipsandtricks.com/v ... f=5&t=4183

Steve S

Ill grab some pictures of the welds along with mig gun and parts mentioned.

[Jason_alex]

Jason,
Another thing that had me puzzled for awhile was that my set screw that holds the torch into the machine was loose and I must have pulled on it and it came out some blocking the flow. Make sure your torch is fully seated into the machine.

I will check the screw on mine. It got painted so it could of been pulled loose then and not put back in correctly. I am using a Tweco gun. Not sure what model but it is a big gun. Not sure if that matters or not.... I learned mig on a miller matic 251 and I love those little machines excited to try a bigger welder as well like this 450 if I can get it running right.

Len

[Jason_alex]

Okay here is what I came up with and I took a few pictures. This is my first experience with a Mig welder that lets you do anything besides set voltage and wire feed. I added a few pictures so you guys can tell me what I am doing wrong or have selected wrong. I did look at the regulator and I had it flowing around 45 CFH I miss read the dial, since then I have tuned it back down to 35 cfh. I has something odd selected where it always had voltage going to the wire so if i ran it out a ways and touched grounded metal it would arc even if I didnt have the trigger pulled, I think it was output Contractor control set on. I am not sure though. Maybe some one that has welded with one of these or something like it can help me out.

Thanks,
Jason

[weldin mike 27]

The contactor function allows you to use a mig machine as a stick machine i think?

Mick

[Jason_alex]

I just got the manual from Hobart. they say its used for air gouging. It would be cool if it could stick weld as well.... I would be happy just getting good mig welds out of it right now.