Frequently Asked Questions about Tregaskiss® MIG Welding Products

Our Technical Services team has compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions related to MIG guns:

1. Why am I experiencing poor wire feed?
2. Why am I experiencing short tip life?
3. Why am I experiencing gun overheating?
4. Why am I experiencing weld porosity?
5. Why am I experiencing gun leaking?
6. Which guide cap is the correct one for my Miller power pin?

1. Why am I experiencing poor wire feed?

There are several reasons that could be causing your poor wire feed. Please check the following:

• The drive rolls are too tight resulting in scoring of welding wire
• The liner is cut too short and isn’t seating properly in gas diffuser
• The conduit liner is clogged or kinked
• The incorrect liner size or contact tip is being used
• The welding wire is dirty, rusty or has too much cast

2. Why am I experiencing short tip life?

There are several possibilities that could be causing your short tip life. Please check the following:

• The drive rolls are too tight resulting in scoring of welding wire
• The incorrect contact tip is being used
• The welding wire is dirty, rusty or has too much cast
• Uncoated wire being used
• Increasing usage
• The gun is being run beyond its amperage range
• The contact tip is loose
• The retaining head is loose
• You are over the torch’s rated duty cycle

3. Why is my gun overheating?

There are several possibilities that could be making your gun overheat. Please check the following:

• An electrical malfunction in the power source
• The gun is being run beyond its amperage range
• A loose retaining screw on quick connect block
• An insufficient gauge power cable and/or ground cable
• Loose connector cones and/or cone nuts
• Poor or no water flow

4. Why am I experiencing weld porosity?

There are several possibilities that could be resulting in weld porosity. Please check the following:

• Flow is improperly set
• Poor wire feed (see Question #1)
• Rusty or poor quality welding wire
• Spatter built up in nozzle blocking gas
• Improper shielding gas or welding wire
• Leaks in the gas hose or an improper connection
• O-rings on power pin are cut or damaged
• Parent metal rusty or contaminated or it has high sulphur content
• Inner tube is loose from connector cone

5. Why is my gun leaking?

There are two possibilities: you have a burnt power cable or a leak in the gooseneck.

6.  Which guide cap is the correct one for my Miller power pin?

We currently offer different guide caps that correspond with both the old and new designs of the 214-1 and 214-6 Miller power pins.   To determine which style of Miller power pin you have and the corresponding guide cap part number, please review these helpful Parts Datasheets:

• 214-1 Miller Power Pin Guide Caps (pdf)
• 214-6 Miller Power Pin Guide Caps (pdf)