Welding Tips and Tricks

Hi folks,
I have a SIP mig welder, I noticed the other day when I turn the setting down low for thin gauge materials it does not feed the wire? does any one know what may be the cause?? it does not start to feed wire until I turn up the power and wire feed, now this particular was designed for body work...so are there any fixes apart from selling it?

If the speed control knob is a resistance pot then it may be going bad. If you can find out what ohm range it was to start then it should be easy to check with a digital meter. And an easy cheap fix.

I pulled the side off the mig to have a look and blow out the dust from the years it's been sitting idle, here is a photo of the wire speed pot from behind and one of the branding.

The numbers on that pot should be enough to get you a replacement. Take it with you to an electronic repair shop or a radio repair shop. Even a place that works on musical electronics. If they don’t have it they will most likely be able to get it or tell you who will have one locally.

I think 2k2A means that it is a 2.2kOhm logarithmic pot. I doubt that you'll be able to measure that in circuit though but if you get it out to measure you might as well put in a new one as it shouldn't be more than a few of dollars.

evading wrote:I think 2k2A means that it is a 2.2kOhm logarithmic pot. I doubt that you'll be able to measure that in circuit though but if you get it out to measure you might as well put in a new one as it shouldn't be more than a few of dollars.

thanks for replying, have a great day.