Thermal Arc Fabricator 210 .. help needed

eamond · Apr 27, 2014

Hi All,
This is my first post here, so please be gentle! I'm posting on behalf of a friend who has Thermal Arc Fabricator 210 Mig(?) welder.

The problem as he describes it is that when he tries to weld, it behaves as if there is no gas flowing. He is quite sure that the gas supplly is fine and that the gas IS flowing, so he is at a loss to know what's happening and asked me to check online for answers or suggestions. So, here I am. I would be happy to act as a 'conduit' and pass on any questions or comments from you guys.

While I have some experience with Arc welders, I've never used Mig - but would love to! However, I am sure I can play some level of intelligent part in the conversation.

Thanks in advance for any help with this.

Best regards.
Eamon.

Shield Arc · Apr 27, 2014

Can he actually hear the gas come out of the nozzle? Sometimes the insulator will unscrew and block the gas holes in the gun. I try to run between 15 and 20-cfh for Mig welding.

Arc weld · Apr 27, 2014

Yes, make sure you can hear gas coming out the nozzle. Tape a couple thin strips of paper on the nozzle and see if the move when you pull the trigger. You can buy flowmeters that go on the nozzle to accurately measure the gas flow at the arc but I don't think your friend needs to go that far. Spatter and other things can cause lack of gas flow. Did his gun get run over and squished or something?

Shield Arc · Apr 27, 2014

I always stick the gun up to my ear, and pull the trigger. Soon as the wire goes in my ear, I remember to release the drive rolls! :laughing::laughing::laughing::laughing:

eamond · Apr 27, 2014

Thanks for the quick replies. I'll check with him and get back to you.

Best regards,
Eamon

Big Barn · Apr 27, 2014

Had that same problem when I bought my machine new in 2000. Turned out to be defective flow meter.

Terry

yomax4 · Apr 27, 2014

If he welds without porosity. he is getting gas. Also make certain that the gun is all the way in.. It's a tight fit and no O-rings should be seen when installed properly. When listening to the gas flow you may want to uncinch the drive rolls.

Mark @ Everlast · Apr 27, 2014

Shield Arc said:
I always stick the gun up to my ear, and pull the trigger. Soon as the wire goes in my ear, I remember to release the drive rolls! :laughing::laughing::laughing::laughing:

Especially if you sweating and leaning on the ground when you are doing it.

Mark @ Everlast · Apr 27, 2014

Shield Arc said:
I always stick the gun up to my ear, and pull the trigger. Soon as the wire goes in my ear, I remember to release the drive rolls! :laughing::laughing::laughing::laughing:

Especially if you sweating and leaning on the ground when you are doing it.

Mark @ Everlast · Apr 27, 2014

Not even going to try to figure this one out.

FredH · Apr 27, 2014

I Sure Wish They had a " Like " Button like Facebook Does . Some of the replies are just :laughing: and at the same time I See MYSELF or Know I have actually done that

As the more knowledgeable Welders here have pointed out , simple test to see if it is actually flowing out the nozzle .

Fred H.

Shield Arc · Apr 27, 2014

Mark @ Everlast said:
Not even going to try to figure this one out.

Hard to figure out via the Internet. I'll bet if we were standing there, could figure it out in a couple minutes.

Arc weld · Apr 28, 2014

Have heard of defective flowmeters but usually for higher flow applications.

Big Barn · Apr 28, 2014

Arc weld said:
Have heard of defective flowmeters but usually for higher flow applications.

I can't recall the details now as it was 14 years ago and mig welding was totally new to me. The LWS 'shop tested' the flow meter and thought it was fine. However neither I nor the sales rep could get it to weld properly. The tech finally exchanged the flow meter and solved the problem.

Terry

eamond · May 1, 2014

Hi again all,
Thanks for your helpful replies.

I have spoken to my friend and he assures me that he doesn't think this is a gas-related problem. He describes the weld produced as blobs of weld with no penetration. He compares it to arc-welding mild steel with a cast-iron rod (or vice-versa). The finished weld looks similar to this with no pentration, just blobs of melted wire.
Someone on this side of the Atlantic suggested that the problem may be related to Diodes?
Just to add further background, my friend is an experienced welder having used Oxy-Acetylene, Arc and Mig for a number of years. This might point to an electrical or similar issue.
I hope I'm making sense here as I'm just trying to interpret both sides. Unfortunately, my friend does not have Internet access, so I will have to relay any messages.
Thanks again for all your help.

Best regards,
Eamon.

ChristianHF · May 1, 2014

Has he been running any flux core wire lately? Could this be a polarity issue? Is this a new machine or a new machine to him? Was it previously functioning well and this started happening all of the sudden? Not trying to barrage you with questions just trying to get some detail.

Chris

Mark @ Everlast · May 1, 2014

eamond said:
Hi again all,
Thanks for your helpful replies.

I have spoken to my friend and he assures me that he doesn't think this is a gas-related problem. He describes the weld produced as blobs of weld with no penetration. He compares it to arc-welding mild steel with a cast-iron rod (or vice-versa). The finished weld looks similar to this with no pentration, just blobs of melted wire.
Someone on this side of the Atlantic suggested that the problem may be related to Diodes?
Just to add further background, my friend is an experienced welder having used Oxy-Acetylene, Arc and Mig for a number of years. This might point to an electrical or similar issue.
I hope I'm making sense here as I'm just trying to interpret both sides. Unfortunately, my friend does not have Internet access, so I will have to relay any messages.
Thanks again for all your help.

Best regards,
Eamon.

Yeah with this newer description to go on, I too think he needs to swap the polarity inside the cover on the welder. That unit, unless WTL changed it back in 2009/2010 before TA and others came out with it, has a metal strap under the cover that has a Positive and a negative sign. I'd say he has the buss bar screwed to the big negative sign.

yomax4 · May 1, 2014

That old 210 had external polarity posts on the front, Should be fairly easy to diagnose.

Mark @ Everlast · May 1, 2014

No, actually it is my eyes are getting weak... I was using a small screen and didn't have my readers on. I saw 211. 210 completely different machine.

eamond · May 2, 2014

ChristianHF said:
Has he been running any flux core wire lately? Could this be a polarity issue? Is this a new machine or a new machine to him? Was it previously functioning well and this started happening all of the sudden? Not trying to barrage you with questions just trying to get some detail.

Chris

Thanks Chris, I'll pass on your questions / suggestions.

Best regards,
Eamon.