Smiley Tig is Acting Up !
 

Well, We have frequently been using the smiley tools tig / plasma unit here for manifolds, pipes and what not. We have never used the tig function, just the plasma. Well yesterday it decided it didnt want to spark up anymore. Air flow is fine, tip is good, there is continuity in the power line. Went through the hole machine but didnt spot any problem. check for anything being burnt, bad ground and continuity in most of the lines. Everything checked out. The red " O.C" light is on and the it started coming on right when the machine was malfunctioning. As soon as you click the button on the torch, the light comes on. All ground surfaces were freshly sanded and should be no issue. With that said, whos had a similar problem and fixed it?
thanks for any input.

Re: Smiley Tig is Acting Up !
 

.

Re: Smiley Tig is Acting Up !
 

is the ground clamp in the neg or pos port. i had mine in the neg and it wouldn't arc switched to the pos and it arc'd

Re: Smiley Tig is Acting Up !
 

Definately in the positive where it should be , the electrode inside serves as the negative and the work piece the positive that creates the spark. Its a small unit and im pretty familiar with most of the components, unfortunately i still cant seem to figure out the problem. Thanks for the heads up though.

Re: Smiley Tig is Acting Up !
 

i'd try changing the tip out. i had a pretty similar problem w/ a plasma once, switched in a new tip, and she was good to go

Re: Smiley Tig is Acting Up !
 

I talked to Mike. He already changed out the tip. Mike check continuity from the clamp to the back of the plug for the ground. Then check fom the tip to the plug end on the torch head.

Re: Smiley Tig is Acting Up !
 

call the manf.

Re: Smiley Tig is Acting Up !
 

LOL He would need you to translate!

Re: Smiley Tig is Acting Up !
 

HAHAAHAHAhahah i throught it is made in the US :l I will call up anyway 8) lol

Re: Smiley Tig is Acting Up !
 

phone# is



1+=2378667678**-=0128756

Re: Smiley Tig is Acting Up !
 

The schematic for mine was under the cover, easy HF circuit to troubleshoot.

Re: Smiley Tig is Acting Up !
 

Haha, let me send it to JD Repair for it to be fixed up.

Re: Smiley Tig is Acting Up !
 

Mike send it to me. I'll take a crack at it. I'm pretty good with that sort of thing.

Re: Smiley Tig is Acting Up !
 

I'm sure that smiley's got excellent customer service. ::)

Re: Smiley Tig is Acting Up !
 

No but for the $600 I paid for it a year ago, its earned its keep.

Re: Smiley Tig is Acting Up !
 

thats why i own a miller spectrum 375. :6

Re: Smiley Tig is Acting Up !
 

DIY gyno, eh?

Re: Smiley Tig is Acting Up !
 

1 yr of usage for $600. That's why I reccomend Miller so much. I'd rather get 10 years for $1000 than 1 yr for $600.

Re: Smiley Tig is Acting Up !
 

Thats why i bought a miller + customer service is ------- amazing! :y

Re: Smiley Tig is Acting Up !
 

It still works. ;)

Re: Smiley Tig is Acting Up !
 

Maybe so, but don't think it's just as good as a Miller. THe day you get one, you will wish you had never bought the one you have now.

I don't say these things to bash on anybody..only to help others from making the mistakes I have. In my case, I bought a new Lincoln, and within 2 years, I wanted out of it. I bought a used Miller and have had no problems since. I paid $1500 for the Lincoln, and sold it for $1000...a $500 loss. I then paid $2000 for the Miller.

Had I bought a better machine to start with, I could have saved myself $500, or put it towards an even better machine.

Re: Smiley Tig is Acting Up !
 

At the time the $600 I spent on the smiley was every cent I had to spair. Its made me tons of money since. When it dies I will buy a TA185. Or if I get sick of it I will but the TA.

Re: Smiley Tig is Acting Up !
 

Although it's obvious that I'm a Miller fan, I will easily admit that the TA is a great machine at a very competitive price. I just don't think that Miller has anything that can really compete with it, figuring in the cost and features. I'm not so sure that this year's Miller lineup will be introducing anything new in this range of machine either. In other areas, bigger machines, mig machines, and such, I think that Miller's lead is more profound.

Re: Smiley Tig is Acting Up !
 

i own both a 180sd and a ta185. the ta shits and pisses all over it, and it was 500 less new.

my miller is for sale to be replaced by another ta185

miller is barbaric in comparison. the arc stability is terrible compared to the ta and it uses more power, it sphysically larger, and has nowhere near the settings,

oh, and i used to have a smiley tig. i wont comment on that...... :6

Re: Smiley Tig is Acting Up !
 

wouldnt it be more fair to compare inverter welder to inverter welder... the machine shop guys i work with really like their new miller inverters...

Re: Smiley Tig is Acting Up !
 

were comparing similar priced machines.

not a 1750 dollar ta185 to a 3k plus miller dynasty 200dx or lincoln invertec.

Re: Smiley Tig is Acting Up !
 

trust me im not disagreeing with you. its a better value. its still not fair to compare an inverter welder to a transformer. inverter is jsut going to have too many advantages.

Re: Smiley Tig is Acting Up !
 

The TA just went up $200.

Re: Smiley Tig is Acting Up !
 

i wouldnt care if it was 500 more than the 180sd or syncrowave 200

still worth it.

Re: Smiley Tig is Acting Up !
 

I gotta try one man, i need some variety just for comparison sake, the miller works great for me, but there is always something better.

Re: Smiley Tig is Acting Up !
 

i dont think its the machine

Re: Smiley Tig is Acting Up !
 

Try a Dynasty, then tell us that the TA is better. I don't think you would. It's a chunk more money, but is much better.

For the money, yes, the TA is a nice deal...but for the best product you can get, Miller is it, hands down.

Re: Smiley Tig is Acting Up !
 

Hotrex, We are very interested in the Miller, Meeting the business partner at the shop tonight and we'll see what he thinks.