Miller 212 Auto Feed

[Tinker Joe 2]

Help, was still in the learning stages of this MIG wire feed when about the time we both started liking each other and we were making music welding it started to sputter then the wire stop coming out of the gun, when I open the hood I found that the spool was leaning to the rear of the machine the back plate (Plastic) the glue had broke loose causing the wire to tangle is this something that happens often, the machine has not been moved lifted in anyway, its a 11 pound and still probable has 10 still on it that is now trashed, some light on the subject if someone know what I might have done wrong or is this common, thanks in advance.

[Tinker Joe 2]

This is the underside of the spool that faces the machine, look you can see where the glue broke loose, this machine has not been moved, rolled, dropped, it this common for the 11 pound spool, thanks for the help in advance.

[H80N]

This is the underside of the spool that faces the machine, look you can see where the glue broke loose, this machine has not been moved, rolled, dropped, it this common for the 11 pound spool, thanks for the help in advance.

Looks like the spool may have been dropped or damaged before you got it... and failed in situ...

on a related note: it appears that "P3" brand is Chinese made and has a less than sterling reputation for quality control...

http://www.shopfloortalk.com/forums/...ad.php?t=20588

Guess I would chalk it up to experience... unless your LWS will stand behind it and replace...

in any event... it does not appear to be welding machine related..

Bottom line is that it pays to buy quality name brand consumables.... the market is full of offshore "Bargain Brands"
that may not be such a good deal after all

[Aeronca41]

How true! At least see if they will replace it for you. While I like to support the local guys, and do so every chance I get, I've gone to buying Lincoln wire at Lowes if need be. P3 is Airgas Chinese and sometimes all they have in stock. And, with a little shopping you can often find quality stuff for not much more $. In the long run "cheap" most often does not equal inexpensive.

[nfinch86]

Manufactures Defect !
I'd take it back to where you purchased it .

Norm

[Tinker Joe 2]

Thanks fellows, the machine was moved only one and the spool was removed, going to Air Gas today and see if they will help out, will let you know but bet I hear "Never seen that before", will let you all know, thanks for you help and advise.

[ryanjones2150]

I hope you had an extra spool to keep you going on the job. Never fails, two inches left to finish up and run out of wire.

I've never used that brand of wire before, but I'd say your particular issue is more likely mechanical damage than a wire quality issue. However, sounds like this broken spool has also kept you from running some garbage wire through your machine. All wire is not created equal.

I recently got a roll of esab spoolarc 86 for the first time. So far I like it. I better like it, got 44lbs of the stuff!!

In the past I've used lincoln wire exclusively, but not on purpose, it's just the stuff my LWS sold me every time I went in there for more wire.

Lately I've been burning through more wire than I usually would, so I've been using up a few spools of some maintenance alloy stuff from Rockmount that I still had laying around. I have to say, there might be something to the extra cost of some of this stuff, it runs really dadgum nice.

[Tinker Joe 2]

Well fellow I went to Air Gas where the machine was bought and asked the fellow to come out to the truck to see it did not want the customers in there to see or hear the conservation the fellow came out and looked at it and said if you dropped it or moved the machine with the spool in it that would have caused it, I was nice and said it does not move, I asked is this something that I can expect with another purchase and he said we will give you another one for free, I thanked him very much for his help, I told him that is why I bought the machine there for good service and I was pleased and did offer to pay a portion if not all, he said come inside and I will give you another one, very happy so back in the shop again, thanks for your help and input, let's all have a great week, Joe

[H80N]

Well fellow I went to Air Gas where the machine was bought and asked the fellow to come out to the truck to see it did not want the customers in there to see or hear the conservation the fellow came out and looked at it and said if you dropped it or moved the machine with the spool in it that would have caused it, I was nice and said it does not move, I asked is this something that I can expect with another purchase and he said we will give you another one for free, I thanked him very much for his help, I told him that is why I bought the machine there for good service and I was pleased and did offer to pay a portion if not all, he said come inside and I will give you another one, very happy so back in the shop again, thanks for your help and input, let's all have a great week, Joe

GLAD You Got It Sorted... .

[ryanjones2150]

Smart move on their part. My Airgas here has such poor customer service that I would not expect that from them. The counter sales guy went as far as telling me that they don't normally deal with hobby welders. I told him that's great news and since I'm not a hobby welder he can do business with me. Keep in mind, it's the same guy that told me there is no such thing as a #17 TIG torch. So, good for you in getting them to help out. Sounds like you have a decent group working there. Although I'm not clear on how moving a machine that has wheels on it would break the spool.

[Tinker Joe 2]

Ryan, bet that Jack Rabbit's boss would love to hear that, I move about 60 miles from where I was raised the fellow who owned the company sold to Air Gas, he was 90, I deal with them in Sulphur La. they are in the mists of the refinery and the construction they really don't need walk in business they have more than they can handle but take the time for everyone, I mention to the fellow that works there that I had transferred things there because I had moved he thought that was great that I stayed with them, quick to tell him a customer money is good anywhere it's if you the business wants it and the weakest line in the chain (Dum A_ _) to loose not only his business but what the tells others, talking about dropping the machine, wonder what it would look like if one would drop it hard enough to break the spool, the rest of the machine would be trash, I am sick, I wax my machine and keep the double covered, that's is sick.

[ryanjones2150]

That's not sick, that's excellent care of one's equipment. When you pay that kind of money for a machine, you should take care of it.

[Ironken]

Hey Tinker Joe.....I must be sick too. I use Honda Spray Cleaner and Polish on all 4 of my Millers periodically and they stay covered with a sheet when not in use. This equipment costs a fortune. Might as well take care of it.

[Tinker Joe 2]

Great to hear that other do the same, I finally have nice things and I know that I am only using them and someday will pass them to another fellow that will do the same as I, fellow got to tell you where I started with an old Hollup machine, had no leads, no hood, no rods, there was this older gentleman that gave me some leads and a hood, this was in 1970, the hood must have been 50 years old, I got it hooked up just as quite, had all copper winding, with that acme screw in the middle handle on top, great I am ready, no money to buy rods, traded something (like we did then none of us had money) got some rods and here we go, splatter, burn through, stick, hum, looked worse than chewed gum, old man stopped by one day and said son see you out here welding I used to be a welder I am retired, showed him the machine and the rods, he said that won't work it was an AC machine and I was trying to burn 7018's he got me some 6011 and helped me, just by stilling and listening to weld, I tanked him many times over the years for taking the time to help me, so I have been a stick man for years and still have to use it but that wire in the shop sure is nice, think I will wax all of them tomorrow ?, Joe

[ryanjones2150]

Well, I don't keep my wire feed that clean, but I did wash it after I got it back working. Dang thing wasn't even hardly blue anymore. Had all sorts of mildew and moss and fungus and dirt and grime and whatever else you can imagine would gather on it by sitting, unused, under a shade tree for who knows how many years.

Joe, will you come give my machine a detailing job? I pay in sixers....

Ryan