Hi Alex,
I bought a 110 mini mig to bring on jobs when I have to weld on site....all it did was drive me crazy!!!!!! It seemed that I didn't know how to weld. Very embarrassing when your on a job and your welder is spitting and jumping and being obnoxious! I brought it in to my local welding supply store and we figured out the gun connection wasn't tight enough. It was only slightly out at the inside connection. The tiny loss of gas was making the whole big deal. Try evrything and then bring it in for a check up. Good Luck Janet

Thanks everyone for the wonderful answers. I think I have to admit that it is time to go shopping. I used to have a big ol' 220 but had to downgrade to be able to work in a studio I was in.

It actually is a 110 Lincoln, bought from a big box store, (whose name I will not mention, because it always makes my skin crawl).

Um, now that I think about it, I am a bit self-conscious to admit that the machine is 12 years old, and, um, yes, I think it may be time...

Thanks again for all your help.

Alex

p.s Miller or Lincoln?

************
www.custompeturns.com
"a special place for a special pet"

Miller. Definitely, Miller. I have had Llincoln, Miller and Airco, and Miller is the best. With one caveat: if your local dealer is only a LIncoln man, then get a Lincoln since he's the guy you're going to have to go to for parts and problems. But if you have a choice, get the Miller. And get the 220v machine. The 110 volt machines are for hobbyists, unless you get into the high-end inverter units.

Remember: At the end of the day, nobody says, "Hey, it's Lincoln time."

FWIW
I'm partial to Miller TOO. :)
Dos Centavos

I am going to give it a go. Switching to the blue...

Alex
************
www.custompeturns.com
"a special place for a special pet"

Hi Alex,

I have one of those old Lincoln mini MIG units and it was never a stellar performer.
I am in love with my Miller Trailblazer, it is the nicest welder I have ever used.

Jim

My small 220V lincoln wirefeed seems to be holding up just fine. Was that the 110 version?

Gene Olson
Sculptor
Elk River, MN

It is the 110. I need to save up some cashola for a new one. But I am looking forward to trying the blue!

Alex
************
www.custompeturns.com
"a special place for a special pet"

Hi Alex,
Good choice on deciding to buy a BLUE welder. If you would have chosen to purchase a RED welder I could, with a clear conscience, have congratulated you on that decision too. Both companies make a fine product, and the obvious rivalry between the two is a driving force behind the competitive pricing and constant evolution of their products.Pressure from some fine YELLOW machines sure doesn't hurt.I have a Lincoln 220V MIG, its over seven years old and I recently made over 250 small welds, at the highest setting,in the course of three hours. It never flinched.I wouldn't hesitate to buy a Miller though. That depends on the price and available service more than brand loyalty.
Peace,eh?
Frank

Hey Alex, how ya doin

Dancer was made with a Millermatic 140 (110V). For the stuff you're making, it's power enough. I love my Miller.

J.R.

Power, yes,
but stamina
that depends entirely on how much is done continuously.

DUTY CYCLE ratings are low on the 110 machines.

Ya gotta remember, that is only iron, wire, and fire
and we are talking about Alex here.
She's a
WOMAN
Double you
OOOOOOOOOOOOH - em aye en
let me tell you again . . . .
W - O - M - A - N

(with thanks to Kweskin and the band)

Gene Olson
Sculptor
Elk River, MN

If I only had 110 volt, which until late last year I did, I would get a Hobart Handler 140. I have this unit and have run at least 10 11 pound rolls in it. One issue, I lost the spring and nut on the feed wheel. When I replaced it, no more problems.

It is a USA made machine that is made very similar to the Miller.

Just my humble .02

I'M A BIG FAN OF THE BLUE MACHINE. HAVE BOTH STICK AND MIG. LOVE THEM LIKE MY WIFE. ALWAYS DEPENDABLE.

I think I might have to have a few more go-rounds with my old welder, but hopefully soon...

Alex
************
www.custompeturns.com
"a special place for a special pet"

Hi Alex,
Before you give up on the old red girl check the shaft that the spool sits on is not to worn.
I teach apprenticce classes of 13 students who are all welding at the same time and I have noticed this has been a hiden problem on old machines.

Cheers
Glen

I dont know how I ended up on this page a year old but I did. So Alex do you still have the old MIg machine or did you trade it in?

Cheers
Glen

hey Alex- cannot tell you how wonderful the miller passport is. 110 or 220- on board co2 for site work. Mine is over three years old and even though I had a problem with a faulty switch once it was fixed this machine just rocks! Contact your miller rep and get a shop demo- you will never go back.

Another thingto look at is how much wire is left on the spool. I have had issues with feed when the wire is getting low on the spool having a hard time coming off. I cure it by "SLIGHTLY" looseningthe retainer nut for the spool. Allows it to turn easier.

Tim
metalcraft by moose
Art to Automobiles

Stephen Fitz-Gerald
I was given a Lincoln 110 by a ferrier friend who was disgusted with it. I rigged it for flux core to be used for onsite work which I RARELY do but once in a while HAVE to.I was working with it out in my yard welding some trellises to my "Pendentive Gazebo"when it started acting up with the same symptoms you described.I looked in the box to adjust the tensioned and to my disgust saw that the whole drive component was made of PLASTIC ,and it had just simply fallen apart in about 10 pieces . the plastic was brittle and crumbling like it had been exposed to too much UV and deteriorated.! I couldn't believe it.I took it to my local welding supply in high anxiety mode until they told me the replacement module was only 25 bucks...I got the new unit in 2 days ,installed it and it works fine. It IS a piece of poorly designed junk,but at least the parts were cheap...
What I use in the studio is a MILLERMATIC 250 (for steel and bronze)and a MILLER 175(for stainless steel).

Some of the problems discussed here are very common. I have been welding for 35 and have experienced all the above mentioned problems. First off if the machine is foreign made your going to have problems I learned a long time ago if it's not a Lincoln or a Miller you won't see it in my shop. I have tried the cheaper brands with no luck. Another common problem is the power source a 11 machine needs to have a good power source or it will NOT work correctly if you are using an extension cord your creating the problem. The further away from the breaker you are the weaker the amperage and these machines are very sensitive. Also try adjusting the wire speed more so that the power and you'll see an improvement. I currently own 2 millers and a lincoln and like them all.
Steve