MIG Trouble

[bdhsfz6]

I have Hobart Handler 140 MIG welder I bought 15 years ago. It's used infrequently but always performed well. It was last used a year ago but when I tried it yesterday, all I got was a tiny spark and then nothing when I tried to strike an arc. The workpiece was well grounded and the wire feed mechanism works normally. Varying the current or feed rate made no difference.

Most of my welding is done using a stick welder and I'm not that experienced with wire feed machines. Is there something I should check first before tearing the machine apart? Any tricks or tips I should know about?

 

[thclimer]

Wonder if a mouse got into it and chewed something??

 

[WranglerX]

Have you checked the voltages at the connectors above wire feed, you should have anywhere from 19 to 25 volts DC on terminals (depending on voltage setting) with trigger pressed if all is good internally.... Also their could be a corrosion problem on voltage selector switch.... Might also look at troubleshooting problems in back part of owners manual ...

 

[Roadworthy]

I wish I remembered what I did. My neighbor had a non functional Hobart wire feed. I removed the cover to disassemble and troubleshoot. I did some disassembly, cleaning, and reassembly. Upon completion it magically worked. My guess is something was loose or corroded.

 

[BlueKnife]

I wish I remembered what I did. My neighbor had a non functional Hobart wire feed. I removed the cover to disassemble and troubleshoot. I did some disassembly, cleaning, and reassembly. Upon completion it magically worked. My guess is something was loose or corroded.

This would be my guess, especially considering that the machine is used infrequently.

 

[California]

My $25 used HF MIG-180 did that. Before tearing into it, I tried manipulating the controls with the trigger held down and no ground connection.

After a few feet of wire had come out, rotating the voltage knob seemed to clean up the wiper inside and it sounded different.

This returned it to normal functioning. No problems over several years, since.

I would try that first. Be careful that there is no opportunity for a ground connection.

 

[sd455dan]

Check the work clamp gripper surfaces for corrosion and the clamps termination to the wire mesh also that the work connection is twisted nice and tight at the machine if removable.

Grind the work clamp location on some test metal and try a test again.