SAVE MONEY IN THE SHORT TERM

Download a printable version of this list of Top 10 money saving tips (pdf)

SAVE MONEY IN THE LONG TERM

Learn about MIG gun Total Cost of Ownership and how this can save you money in the long run (pdf)

Top 10 Money Saving Tips for Your TOUGH GUN™ Semi-Automatic MIG Guns

In these tough economic times, we want to help you to maximize the value you receive from your Tregaskiss™ MIG welding equipment. The following is a list of tips that you can start using today to save money:

1.   KEEP CONSUMABLES IN THEIR PACKAGING  

Keep your nozzles, contact tips, and retaining heads clean by leaving them in their original packaging. Tossing them in a bin can cause scratches and dents which accumulate spatter and reduce consumable lifespan. If left in the open, dirt and oil can also accumulate on these items which can cause weld defects (and costly rework) if they enter the weld puddle.

2.   KEEP CONSUMABLES CLEAN WITH ANTI-SPATTER  

Use TOUGH GARD™ Anti-Spatter compound on your nozzles to prevent spatter accumulation and extend nozzle lifespan. Dip only the first 1.5” of the nozzle into your anti-spatter gel – submerging the nozzle in the compound can saturate the porous insulator inside the nozzle, causing it to fail prematurely, accumulate extra spatter and/or create an erratic arc—all factors that lead to downtime, extra nozzle replacements, and waste.

3.   INSPECT, CLEAN AND TIGHTEN REGULARLY 

At regular intervals during your welding shift, you should inspect your welding consumables for spatter, remove any accumulation with the appropriate tools, and check your consumables for tightness. Keeping your consumables clear of spatter extends their life. Keeping your consumables tight ensures good electrical conductivity which improves weld quality, minimizes heat and also extends the life of your consumables. 

4.   TRIM IT RIGHT 

Trimming your liners correctly – using the proper cutting tools and trimming the liner to the correct length -- has a significant impact on how long your liner will last. All liners from Tregaskiss are sold with a liner gauge. Simply slip the gauge over the liner until it meets the edge of the gooseneck and then trim. Cutting the liner too short causes the welding wire to feed improperly through the contact tip. This wears out the contact tip prematurely and allows debris to build up between the liner and retaining head, resulting in wire feeding problems. A liner that is too long can kink, leading to feeding issues and shortening the life of the contact tip.  After trimming the liner, make sure there are no burrs or sharp edges.

5.   REPLACE LINERS FROM THE FRONT 

Consider using our innovative QUICK LOAD™ Liner which loads from the front of the MIG gun. Using our front loading liner can cut your liner replacement time in half and may help you avoid some of the pitfalls common to trimming and installing a conventional liner.

6.   GIVE IT SOME AIR  

Some welding operators blow compressed air through their liners periodically to clear out debris and extend the liner’s life.

7.   DOUBLE THE LIFE OF YOUR TIPS  

TOUGH LOCK Contact Tips have a dual-lead thread design. This means that you can remove your contact tip when it keyholes on one side, rotate the tip 180 degrees, and then reinstall it to a brand new wear point. (Key holing results when the bore in the contact tip erodes due to the constant pressure of the welding wire feeding through it.)

8.   DOUBLE THE LIFE OF YOUR GUN  

When the front end cable of your TOUGH GUN Air-Cooled Semi-Automatic MIG Gun becomes worn, you  can remove the trigger switch and gooseneck and flip-flop the front and back ends of the gun. It’s like having a brand new gun cable.

9.   SIZE IT RIGHT

Use the shortest MIG gun cable length possible for your welding application and keep the cable clear of any equipment, such as a forklift, that could damage it. Both measures help prevent liner kinking and again minimize the chance of poor wire feeding that could lead to costly downtime.

10.  REMEMBER YOUR WARRANTY 

All TOUGH GUN MIG Guns feature Tregaskiss’ Lifetime Warranty on handles and switches—if either component breaks, Tregaskiss will replace them for free.