Miller welder gurus

Needing some advice for my Miller 110v Sidekick MIG welder.

Its worked perfectly for years, aside from liking to stick the tip more than any welder ive ever used.

Its now not getting shielding gas to the tip. I've looked around and cant see anything damaged, but then again, don't know so much what I'm looking for.

Anyone have ideas or tips?

 

I used to sell welding supplies-- Usualy on the end of the torch there is a thing called a gas diffuser. Usually, although I am not 100 percent certan on your model, the tip the wire feeds through screws into it. it should have a series of small holes in it that the gas comes through.especialy if you have a problem with the tip sticking , the diffuser may be plugged up with slag or general ****. Aside from that, make sure your hoses arent damaged, the gas solenoid is operating, etct. Check that gas is getting through your regulator, too. Good luck

 

my might need a new collet it could be gloged from splater or your hose might be crimped somewhere along the lines im a certifide welder and that stuff happenes all the time im a lincoln guy so miller has problems hahahahaaha good luck

 

once I hade the hose between the regulator and the welding machine get pinched shut between the bottle and the cart it was on.just another thing to look for .

 

I can't remember how the side kick is, not at work right now, but on the 35's and 200's if the cable/ lead apparatus, what ever you want call it, is not entirely in the machine you will not get gas out at the tip. Open your side up where the wire is, loosen the set nut for the lead, shove the lead all the way in, you can see how it is machined to route the g*** if you pull the lead all the way out. The lead has a tendancy to "slip" out in time, probably from being "tugged" on, however slight that may be. If that is the problem it is a simple fix. Just carefully and observant.

Fenderless

 

My 1970's Miller 35 lost the gas last summer. Mine is a big machine with a quick disconnect lead/liner, so it has a small rubber gas line right there outside the case. I had good flow there, but it was not getting up to the nozzle.

I found out that right where the lead/liner bends the most near the welder, the inside hidden gas hose was cracked off and broken in two. I taped the hose, and it's still fine.

Can you test the gas flow somehere, before it goes out to the nozzle? I'd want to check that first.

Edit; What Freddie is talking about: My 35 has O rings where the quick disconnect is, so then Yes, if the set screw was loose and the lead/liner pulled out a bit, the O rings will not be sealing.

 

gas solenoid ****ped out

 

Take off the left side cover and listen to the gas solenoid when you pull the trigger, no click, no gas.

You can also pull the outlet hose off to see if gas is p***ing through the solenoid.

Pretty typical issue, solenoid is fairly cheap and easy to repair.

OF course before you do any of that make sure you have gas in your bottle. If the bottle is new it may still be empty even if your gage reads full (gage could be broken) Pull off gage and open the valve a little.

You can always then pull the hose of the gage and open the valve a little to make sure gas is p***ing through your gage.

Do those things first and then check the solenoid, process of elimination.

You would be suprised how many times the bottle is just out of gas..(or someone forgot to turn it on)

 

Thanks HAMB for makin me feel like a moran and a smarty pants

Went out to solve the problem, loosened up the connector holding the lead into the machine, gave it a little push and low and behold it was about 1/2 inch out of place. tightened up the nut, stuck the nozzle in some water, pulled the trigger and bubbles galore! I've got gas now

 

Good to hear you got it working. Those are great little welders......I've had mine for 25 years. Use it almost every day!

 

Oh no you didn't just say that.
Glad you got it figured out.
I have an older sidekick prolly 25 years old and the only problem I had with it was the fan motor went out and that controls everything. Also an easy fix once I figured it out.

 

I was about to say that. That's the same thing my 140 has done a couple times!

 

im sorry, did you just say you submerged your MIG gun in water and pulled the trigger while it was on?

 

Just the tip of it, but yes I put the gun in water. Smart no, but it tells if theres air or not.

 

freddys on the spot