09-16-2012, 05:41 PM
The only reason I mentioned the cleaning of liners, is that most folks forget about them and how easily they are soiled by a careless previous owner, but if you are the only person ever to use the torch, lead or whole machine it's probably not the problem.
It often pays to use a gas flow meter at the torch nozzle, as well, you'd be amazed at how many MIGs have kinked or blocked gas hoses, and just hearing a hissing noise at the tip isn't necessarily good enough, I once had a machine that made all the right noises but was exhausting half of the gas inside the main welding machine case due to a split line after the solenoid valve.
and 14 guage is significantly thinner than 1/8th sheet, and I've got a feeling that you might have been laying the torch down too far, it is a trap for young players as with a MIG it is hard to see what is happening behind the tip shroud unless you rock it over, but when you do rock it over the gas flow will suck air into the weld.
Regards
Rick
It often pays to use a gas flow meter at the torch nozzle, as well, you'd be amazed at how many MIGs have kinked or blocked gas hoses, and just hearing a hissing noise at the tip isn't necessarily good enough, I once had a machine that made all the right noises but was exhausting half of the gas inside the main welding machine case due to a split line after the solenoid valve.
and 14 guage is significantly thinner than 1/8th sheet, and I've got a feeling that you might have been laying the torch down too far, it is a trap for young players as with a MIG it is hard to see what is happening behind the tip shroud unless you rock it over, but when you do rock it over the gas flow will suck air into the weld.
Regards
Rick
Whatever it is, do it today, Tomorrow may not be an option and regret outlasts fatigue.