Anything welding

I literally went through this exact same issue this weekend.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/anything-welding.113957/page-805#post-23184611

Per the advice of some other members I switched from 0.030” to 0.023” wire in my Multimatic 215. Makes a huge difference in how the machine handles the thin material. Makes it a lot easier to work the bead and bridge gaps.

I went from burning through almost every weld with 0.030” to not at all with 0.023”

 

Just watch your heat that you don`t pull things out of shape .

 

The part # you need is Miller # 224369 it is called PC1

Quite possible it might not fix the problem if it can be found.

 

Anyone serviced one of these before? Just wondering before I take it apart. This one quit working with no warning.

 

not that particular one but plenty of other stuff like it. If it suddenly just died with no smoke or anything I would check the switch to start. They often have pretty meh connections so they can fail after time/being tossed around/ect.

A multimeter is a great tool for working out what is broken. Pretty much just start at the switch and see if its getting power and "sending" power then move down the chain to the next component. ereplacementparts.com is a great site to work with. Can look up the unit by model number and get a parts diagram from there plus see the parts cost and part numbers (not always the cheapest but a start). And determine your "throw away" cost. Sometimes the replacement parts add up to just buying a new one on sale (sadly)

 

I’ve found a few, from $350-500. After more thought, it wouldn’t be worth it for me. I’d have no idea what I’m doing to try to fix it, and I’d rather learn the skill than pay out trying to fix it. From what little I’ve gathered here, the Vulcan or Hobart would be good welders to start but not to break the bank?

 

Looks awesome bud, how are you cutting the pieces or are you having them cut?

 

Have you had it thermal shutdown often??

They get to the point they no longer reset.

Leaving the handle on one tends to burn them up fast

Might just be the brushes

 

Thanks man. I’m just doing the cutting with angle grinders. Shaping it up with cardboard and tracing it onto steel with one of those steel pencil things. While the cardboard and tracings aren't perfectly straight, I'm pretty good at eyeballing a straight cut with the angle grinder. That's one perk of lacking a plasma cutter is now I'm great with an angle grinder.

 

I'm thinking it's just brushes, it doesn't get used for long periods of time just used a lot for short periods.

 

Steel Pencil thingy = Soap Stone !!

 

I've yet to try one of those. I was referring to these.

$14 Markal 96101 Silver Streak Welders Pencil, Silver (Pack of 12)

https://www.amazon.com/Markal-96101...ds=steel+marking+pencil&qid=1587393575&sr=8-2

 

I do pretty much the same thing but have been looking at plasma cutters for about 3 months now and just can't seem to make the jump.

 

I had held off due to not having 240v and no compressor, but now I have the extension cord to plug into my dryer, and I just bought a compressor this weekend so now it's only a matter of time. They're handy little guys. Expensive though for a decent one.

 

I completely agree and I have everything in my shop except the plasma cutter. Even have the money set aside for it and still dragging my feet

 

I use these:

$14 Markal 96006 - Markal Silver-Streak Holder with 1 Reflective Lead, Built-in Sharpener, 1 Click Advance -Ideal for Metal Layout & Fabrication Work

https://www.amazon.com/Markal-96006...7VAN8D6MZJC&psc=1&refRID=GKBB2ZWBX7VAN8D6MZJC

Mechanical version, but the same thing just no sharpening. Soap stone is good for laying out larger designs, but if you need to be more precise with your lines/cut, I'd use the pencil since you get a finer line. I use soap stone to draw refence lines on my garage floor all the time.


Also for future reference, I use Ram Board to CAD things up. Easy to cut and layout and cheap enough to keep a roll around for miscellaneous things.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Ram-Board-Home-Edition-18-lb-Paper-3-ft-x-50-ft-Drop-Cloth/4514588

 

I had that same pencil but I kept breaking the tip off. I found the actual pencils are better for me because they're finer like you mentioned and a bit cheaper. All I had to do was steal my wifes pencil sharpener first lol

 

Just found a 150cu for 150... sold! Just gotta buy some steel and build a cart now.

 

I have a nice Hyperthem yet I use the Torch and cut off wheel and the band saw way more often then the plasma machine .

Unless your doing Aluminum and Stainless all the time you really can do without one at least I do.

It only takes plugging in the air hose and turning it on not like lots of work to use it.

 

I agree. I have a nice hypertherm plasma I rarely use. Torch and cut off wheel get used more. The plasma used to come in handy when I cut a lot of expanded metal.