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Smason

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I think that I originally posted this in the wrong forum so I reposted here.

I've got something odd going on with my machine. When I pull the trigger the flow ball on the regulator rises and then falls back to zero after about 3 seconds. I can then release the trigger and pull it again and it will repeat the cycle.
Has anyone had this issue? I doubt that I'm lucky enough for it to be the regulator. I'm using the non-branded regulator that came with the machine. Also I can adjust the flow, but not longer than about 3 seconds.
 
#2 · (Edited)
What do you have the flow set at? Tank opened enough? Loose hose? Gun not in all the way? Can you hear gas at the nozzle after the ball drop? I doubt it's the regulator.
 
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Discussion starter · #3 ·
The valve is open all of the way, it doesn’t matter what the flow setting is, it behaves the same. No loose fittings, the gun is plugged in all of the way and I can feel the gas flowing on my cheek until the ball drops. And I’m afraid that you may be correct that it’s not the regulator.
 
Discussion starter · #4 ·
I spent the better part of an hour last week on the phone with the tech from ESAB probing voltages. He admitted that he hasn't seen anything like what's going on. It looks like I'm going to have to replace a $800 dollar control board which is on back order for 4 months. Here's the kicker. You have to do a firmware update when you replace a board and ESAB only makes the software available to the authorized warranty repair stations. None of the "authorized" repair stations in the area still do warranty work for ESAB. Each one that I visited said that ESAB hasn't paid any warranty claims since 2020, so they don't have access to the software.

I went ahead and dropped it off with one that said he'd take a look at it. Maybe I'll get lucky, but I doubt it. I'm sorry that I gave ESAB a chance. I should have went the the Miller or Lincoln. :(
 
#5 ·
its nothing against you personally but i cant wrap my head around why people keep buying these assembled in india esabs. ive read quit a few stories of them broke down. the only machines that seem to break down more often is the small lincolns
 
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Discussion starter · #6 ·
A statement like that is a bit hard to “not take personally” you may as well just gone ahead called me a dumb a$$.

Well, to answer your question, in my case, I was new to welding and I had a Hobart that I was given that went **** up on me. I walked into my local welding supplier one day and the manager said “ Talk to this ESAB representative, he’s got a great new welder that you should check out “. I tried his welder and I liked it. After being assured by the manager that this was a good brand I eventually bought it when it became available.

So, that’s why people like me keep buying garbage. For what it’s worth, the repair guys I’ve talked to think that all of the inverter welders are junk.
 
#7 ·
employees at my local store know nothing about welding or the equipment. theyre just low paid salesmen. nice guys but they hardly know anything. for someone to take their advice would be a big mistake
 
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#8 ·
smason you surely cant believe all inverters are junk. i would be very suspicious of any repair guy that says such nonsense
 
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#9 ·
Not many choices for transformer machines out there. Inverters are getting better by the week. I remember when a certain stackable plasma system came out that was newer inverter based for the time. They were so unreliable we used to turn them on with a broom handle from 5' away. Many just went POP!.

I know an old welder repair guy who says inverters are junk too. He made his life's earnings fixing machines that were easy to fix. Inverters not so easy so he just says they're junk.
 
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#10 ·
My local repair guy doesn't say all inverters are junk. He says they can last indefinitely or blow up at any time. He also says they get ALL the brands, blue, red and yellow in for repair. In other words one brand isn't necessarily better of less prone to failure over others. Of course inverters are not going to go the distance the same way the old simple tanks of the past did.
Personally, I think the advantages of the new inverter technology is worth the risk. Hopefully if there is a problem it happens within the warranty period. If it blows up after that (usually 3 years) the machine should have earned its keep or more than returned the investment. Time to move on.
 
#11 ·
metalman21 said:
My local repair guy doesn't say all inverters are junk. He says they can last indefinitely or blow up at any time. He also says they get ALL the brands, blue, red and yellow in for repair. In other words one brand isn't necessarily better of less prone to failure over others. Of course inverters are not going to go the distance the same way the old simple tanks of the past did.
Personally, I think the advantages of the new inverter technology is worth the risk. Hopefully if there is a problem it happens within the warranty period. If it blows up after that (usually 3 years) the machine should have earned its keep or more than returned the investment. Time to move on.
Click to expand...

if you questioned that repair guy a bit more i wonder if he would of revealed he sees a particular brand or model more than others. reading online there seems to be a trend for some being worse than others.
 
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#12 ·
cornchip said:
if you questioned that repair guy a bit more i wonder if he would of revealed he sees a particular brand or model more than others. reading online there seems to be a trend for some being worse than others.
Click to expand...
That was exactly the nature of my question. I was looking for an answer as to what brand showed up more or less. He indicated no particular winner or loser.
One repair facility, one answer. I never researched the subject. Don't know what the consensus would be if a considerable number of repair facilities were surveyed.
Interesting topic of discussion, especially for those looking to purchase equipment.
 
#13 ·
metalman21 said:
That was exactly the nature of my question. I was looking for an answer as to what brand showed up more or less. He indicated no particular winner or loser.
One repair facility, one answer. I never researched the subject. Don't know what the consensus would be if a considerable number of repair facilities were surveyed.
Interesting topic of discussion, especially for those looking to purchase equipment.
Click to expand...
With the introduction of the Miller XMT, 350P and Axcess machines I'd say those 3 were among the most troublesome for distributors. Very high failure rates. A little better with the Continuum but they have a few board issues too. I've been around all of them extensively. Folks don't do a lot of Miller bashing out there. To your point yes they all have their troubles.
 
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Discussion starter · #14 ·
No, I don't believe that inverters are junk, but I have the feeling that the days of having a welder last for a lifetime are gone. I'm definitely not going to buy another ESAB machine. (Even if they might actually be a good machine) The question becomes, do I pony up for a Miller or Lincoln, or just buy a throw away welder?

Then there's the age old question, do I go blue or red? There's so many fan boys of each brand it's hard to pick a welder? It's tough to get unbiased information.
 
Discussion starter · #15 ·
The repair guy suggested that I look for a used Millermatic 211. Then there's the debate, do I look for the old style or the new version. There's another one where there's a lot of guys that will line up on each side of that line.
 
Discussion starter · #16 ·
You're right. But so are the factory reps, and how do I know that anyone that I get advice from actually knows what they speak of, or are just fan boys?
I had 3 months before the welder was available for sale. Don't you think that I researched it the best that I could? The thing is that someone's opinion is just that, an opinion. I took a shot and it didn't work out.
 
#17 ·
I'd trust what you get on this site way over any ex-kiosk at the mall salesman that now works for the LWS.

Also I think you are jumping the gun on thinking welders that are not red or blue are throwaways. Times have changed.
 
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#18 ·
have you looked for any used millers if you dont want new ? people buy a new one then a year later life gets in the way and the machine has to go. might find good deal on lightly used. i wouldnt mind trying the htp220 if i ever got a chance. had their tig machine about 9yr or so and it never cost me a penny in repairs. that gave me alot of confidence in htp stuff
 
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