Millermatic 212 possessed

[fordsbyjay]

I bought a Millermatic 212 a few months ago for my garage. It gets used for projects but not everyday. It is stored inside a climate controlled area with my other tools

The wire feed keeps doing crazy things. I was using the Auto speed feature but when my son was welding it kept freaking out, stopping and clicking until you turned it off. Now on the manual speed setting I will stop welding and it will just keep spooling out wire. It does this regularly but not always. One time it just spewed out gas and no wire till I turned it off and one time it quit doing anything at all until I turned off the machine. I checked the connections where the gun is plugged into the machine and they seem ok.

What the heck is going on with this thing? I bought this thing to replace my old Century 250 machine and it has not been pleasant so far....

[big mike]

3 year warranty.....have it checked out.

[mlahonta]

Thank you for the illustration

This wonderful illustration is just what I needed to remind me, as a hobbyist, why I went straight to Tig and never got involved in MIG

[fordsbyjay]

This wonderful illustration is just what I needed to remind me, as a hobbyist, why I went straight to Tig and never got involved in MIG

LOL. That is funny because I wanted to buy a tig machine but popped for the Mig. I find TIG easier although I have not done much of it. Of course it is easier on the bench but would be a pita in a car.

[fordsbyjay]

Here it is on video..

[Cgotto6]

This wonderful illustration is just what I needed to remind me, as a hobbyist, why I went straight to Tig and never got involved in MIG

What does this even mean? This is the first time I have ever heard of any issue what so ever with a 212. Are you suggesting migs are unreliable or something?

[aametalmaster]

One of the trigger wires has shorted thru the tape that is wrapped around the guns neck. I see it all the time with MM252's. Turn the guns neck collar and slide the plastic handle down onto the cable and the trigger will be exposed now. Have a look at the tape. I just use a new slice of tape and put it back together...Bob

[fordsbyjay]

One of the trigger wires has shorted thru the tape that is wrapped around the guns neck. I see it all the time with MM252's. Turn the guns neck collar and slide the plastic handle down onto the cable and the trigger will be exposed now. Have a look at the tape. I just use a new slice of tape and put it back together...Bob

I unplugged the wire connection at the mig and it kept on doing it so I think it is something internal. I will definitely check it out first thing. Thanks.

[deafman]

don't open anything

It is under warranty! Let the service center play with it. Sounds like a relay is stuck. Maybe even a board problem. We have a 212 at work that has had feed problems since new. One of the drive rolls was cut too deep. With the tension maxed out I could still pull wire through it by hand. Turned down the wire run in setting also. Now 1 guy at work likes the machine. The rest of use will take the beat up, grinding-dust encrusted Lincoln 215's.

[metal-doctor]

One of the trigger wires has shorted thru the tape that is wrapped around the guns neck. I see it all the time with MM252's. Turn the guns neck collar and slide the plastic handle down onto the cable and the trigger will be exposed now. Have a look at the tape. I just use a new slice of tape and put it back together...Bob

Agree with Bob on this one as our 252 has done the same thing. Easy fix though

[aametalmaster]

I unplugged the wire connection at the mig and it kept on doing it so I think it is something internal. I will definitely check it out first thing. Thanks.

Then the relay is stuck. Mine at home has done that also. Its the SQ clear cased one. You can carefully take them apart and see where its stuck and clean it, but yours is under warrenty right?...Bob

[fordsbyjay]

Yes Bob it is only a few months old and has only been used a few times. This was the first real project for it.

I meant to call the service center today but was busy and before I knew it they were closed. I'll see what they say in the morning.

[Conscious Puddle]

I doubt that it's a primary trigger switch issue. If you say that sometimes the gas comes on but no wire feed, and wire comes out but no arc voltage it would seem to be something in the circuit board that controls the relays... its under warranty, I'd have it checked out by a tech.

[fordsbyjay]

That is what I think too. I took it in last week and he hoped it would only take a week so we will see. My biggest worry is I only use it occasionally so I won't really know if it is fixed or not for awhile.