Tree Huggers

[Scott V]

I wonder if they know about this?

http://www.chaski.com/ubb/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=welding&Number=24891&page=0&view=expanded&sb=5&o=&fpart=1&vc=1&PHPSESSID=

[atucker]

Why doesn't Lincoln have a forum to discuss those type of things??

[ventureline]

Lincoln does happen to have alot of problems with thier machines, as does Miller. One thing about Lincoln though, Anyone can take their Advanced service course and be granted repair status.

I'm an Advanced Miller service tech and subcontract to a large welding distributor, still the Miller rep refuses to grant anyone service status. Go figure, you'd think they'd be trying to promote MILLER. I guess not.

I still get the after warranty stuff, and push Lincoln, T-dyne, and ESAB. Id rather just push Miller, but without the warranty status why bother...

Jeff

[Paychk]

ventureline

How did you become a service tech for welders? I think that would be a great field to get into.

Thanx!

[ventureline]

You need an understanding of basic electronics, ie, you have to be able to read and understand various electrical diagrams, have a great love for puzzle solving , working knowledge of all welding processes, and don't mind getting your hands dirty.

A couple of 5 day factory training courses and presto your a tech.

Well it isn't quite that easy, but it is a highly payed specialized trade.

Everday is a learning experience, as there is always some course to take, some new machine, or simply some new puzzle to solve.

[Paychk]

I just retired from the USAF, after 20 years of repairing the hydraulic, electrical, digital electronics, pneumatic, mechanical components of aircraft weapons systems. Plus I have returned to welding/steel fab (7 years experience) So I have a wide background that would get me started, if I can find the right employer to give me a chance.

[ventureline]

Yep, any industrial electronics firm should take you on, first I'd ask the distributors in your area, then visit the service shops.

[Hobart Expert Rock]

SCOTTV........... Well do you think we use pine or Oak for the wedges..............I have a real nice Oak Side board that was my grandmother's- mom's and came over on the mayflower......... Well maybe not that old.............

Paycheck......... Hey with a degree in electronics you can set here and do this job also...........Electronics leads into many fields.... Even management positions..............hhhhmmmmmmm In reality any job you do should be fun or you get bored and complacent...

Enjoy guys...........And Scottv..........Those plastic gas valves are non magnetic and even after the 3 year warranty they still work quite well.......... It's a no brainer...........Powcon, Hobarts, Miller has been useing them for years............... No problems exceedingly low warranty and long life prevail..............

But like always I will forward the info to appropriate folks.....

Enjoy guys and have some fun now....................Rock.....

[email protected]

[Scott V]

Rock,I didn't think any of that matters at all,except the switch.It would be fine for me,because I would put it in the right position.There is brain dead people that will not.Also That valve you guys use cost more that the Lincoln valve they use.So what's the point they are bringing up.It's exactly what you said it was, market share slipping,and it kind of really shows some poor taste to me.Esab does the same thing,and it's ugly.I never seen Miller do anything like that.It really kind of shows me something.I hope they knock it off,and even hand out some walking papers who thought of that crap.

[Planet X]

Originally posted by Scott V
Rock,I didn't think any of that matters at all,except the switch.It would be fine for me,because I would put it in the right position.There is brain dead people that will not.Also That valve you guys use cost more that the Lincoln valve they use.So what's the point they are bringing up.It's exactly what you said it was, market share slipping,and it kind of really shows some poor taste to me.Esab does the same thing,and it's ugly.I never seen Miller do anything like that.It really kind of shows me something.I hope they knock it off,and even hand out some walking papers who thought of that crap.

TSk tsk, reference this link http://millerwelds.com/products/mig/...matic_210.html
The part about the Lincoln drive rolls for instance.... its just advertising bud.....
I really don't know what good or bad a wood wedge is in that particular use-in fact it kind've appeals to my 'retro' side. However Lincolns point about moisture affecting expansion/contraction is legit (if the wedge function is to provide some tightness or fit )-example when you have a loose splitting maul- simple solution soak the handle in water which the wood fibers will absorb and swell thus tightening the head.
When you drive around up there in Oregon-you ever wonder why all those log decks have sprinklers running on them? Does it really matter what species of wood this wedge is made of all are affected by relative humidity? I really could not say whether Lincoln is losing market share-if true it could be good or bad for me the consumer, good if they add value to their product and re-gain market share or bad they lose too much market share and get acquired like so many other American company's.

[Scott V]

Ok,Planet X it looks like more heads should roll! Are you saying that you should run a sprinkler on a 180 SD just to make sure?The prying of the drive rolls is flat out wrong,and they should retract it.I guess I will stick with Themal-arc,unless you can dig some dirt on them.To me the slick Lincoln add just rubs me the wrong way for some reason.

[ventureline]

Hmmm, Lincoln is humming and hawing about the Varnish and Moisture, maybe they should check out thier engine drives. All the generators are varnish free. instead of Miller's wood, they use Cardboard insulators. Talk about moisture problems!! If these rig welders happen to wash thier engine and generator off in the winter. The coils freeze and blow apart. On the other hand, Miller wraps the coils, dips and seal them.
The wire off the coils on the Millers are all individually coated and there hasn't been too many problems with them

And as an added bonus if there is a problem, it sure is easy to pull a Miller coil, but it sure is a ***** to pull a Lincoln. If it's a weld coil, you actually have to aluminum weld the shunt fields back together. Miller is just bolted to the rectifier bank and stabilizer, and a couple of seam welds.



The things I could tell you!