MasterCraft MIG 180 User manual

058-9306-4
MIG 180 INVERTER WELDER
INSTRUCTION MANUAL

Quick Start Guide
If any parts are
missing or damaged,
or if you have any
questions, please call
1-800-689-9928.
Read and understand this instruction manual
thoroughly before using the product. It contains
important information for your safety, as well as
operating and maintenance advice.
Keep this instruction manual for future use. Should
this product be passed on to a third party, this
instruction manual must be included.
MIG 180 INVERTER WELDER 058-9306-4

QUICK START GUIDE
MIG 180 INVERTER WELDER 058-9306-4
MIG welding
STEP 1
Installing the wire
Remove the nozzle (1) and contact tip (2) from
the end of the torch assembly. Identify the
leading end of the wire secured on the edge of
the wire spool. Place the spool onto the hub
with the wire passing from the bottom of the
spool into the drive mechanism.
pages 26-27, steps 1-12
STEP 2
Setting the wire tension
Press the trigger on the gun. Turn the drive
tension adjustment knob (1) clockwise to
increase the drive tension until the wire feeds
smoothly without slipping.
page 29, steps 1-3
1
2
MC-589306-34
WARNING/ AVERTISSEMENT
ELECTRICSHOCK can kill
UNCHOC ÉLECTRIQUE peut tuer.
MOUINGPARTScan cause injury.
LESPIÉCES MOBILES peuvent causer des blessures.
•Weldingwire and drive partsmaybe at welding voltage.
•Keepawayfrom moving parts.
•Nevous approchez pas des piècesmobiles.
•Mainteneztousles couvercles, panneaus et portes fermés et
solidementenplace.
•Keepall doors, covers and panels closed and securely in place.
•Lefil de soudure et les pièces motrices sontpeut-être a la
tensiondesoudage.
•Netouchez pasle fil oules parties motrices àmainsnues ou
avecdesoutilslorsquela detente estsous, pression.
•Donot touch wire or driveparts with bare hands or tools when
triggerisdepressed.
MIG
SPOOLGUN/PISTOLET À BOBINE
Whennormal MIG welding,
thisswitch should be turned in “MIG” position.
whenusing spool gun.
thisswitch should be in “Spool gun” position.
Cecommutateur doit être placé à la position « MIG »
sivous effectuez du soudage MIG normal
età la position « SPOOL GUN »
sivous utilisez un pistolet à bobine.
DCEN
DCEN
FLUXCORE WIRE
FILAVECÂME EN FLUX
Courantcontinupolarité normale
Polarityswitchsetting:
Réglageducommutateur de polarité:
Directcurrent,electrodenagative
DCEP
DCEP
MIG
MIG
Directcurrent,electrode positive
Courantcontinu,electrode positive
Polarityswitchsetting:
Réglageducommutateur de polarité:
STICK
BAGUETTE
Polarityswitchsetting:
Réglageducommutateurde polarité:
+
++
-
-
-
NOGAS/PASDE GAZ
GAS/GAZ
AVERTISSEMENT
SHOCK can kill
C ÉLECTRIQUE peut tuer.
PARTS can cause injury.
MOBILES peuvent causer des blessures.
e and drive parts may be at welding voltage.
from moving parts.
chez pas des pièces mobiles.
les couvercles, panneaus et portes fermés et
solidement en place.
rs, covers and panels closed and securely in place.
udure et les pièces motrices sont peut-être a la
tension de soudage.
pas le fil oules parties motrices à mains nues ou
avec des outils lorsque la detente est sous, pression.
ch wire or drive parts with bare hands or tools when
trigger is depressed.
DCEN
DCEN
FLUX CORE WIRE
FIL AVEC ÂME EN FLUX
Courant continu polarité normale
Polarity switch setting:
Réglage du commutateur de polarité:
Direct current, electrode nagative
DCEP
DCEP
MIG
MIG
Direct current, electrode
Courant continu, electrode
Polarity switch setting:
Réglage du commutateur de polar
+
+
-
-
NO GAS/PAS DE GAZ
GAS/
1
MC-589306-39

STEP 3
Operation
Hold the torch in one hand and turn the wire
speed dial with the other hand to its maximum
position. Pull the trigger (1) on the torch to start an
arc. Drag the torch on the work piece while
simultaneously turning the wire speed dial
counterclockwise. page 31, steps 4-5
page 32 (refer to welding techniques, if
needed)
Stick welding
STEP 1
Plug in the electrode holder cable (1) into the
electrode cable connection and attach the
electrode (2) in the electrode holder (3)
page 19, steps 2-3
1
MC-589306-42
MC-589306-12
9
9
3
45
67
8
WIRE
STICK
A
10
3
45
67
8
10
POWER
WARNING
WORK
V
A
STICK
MIG
GASINERTE
MIG
V
GASINERTE
ARC
ARC
FIL
MARCHE
058-9306-4
AVERTISSEMENT
INTENSITÉ
MIG 180 INVERTER WELDER
SOUDEUSE À ONDULEUR MIG 180
2
1
3

STEP 2
Turn the mode selector switch (1) to the stick
welding mode. page 20, step 6
STEP 3
Operation
Strike an arc by scratching the work piece (1)
with the electrode (2) and raising it by 1/8"
and maintain the gap throughout the weld.
page 35, steps 1-5
MC-589306-15
9
9
3
45
67
8
WIRE
STICK
A
10
3
45
67
8
10
POWER
WARNING
WORK
V
A
STICK
MIG
GASINERTE
MIG
V
GAS INERTE
ARC
ARC
FIL
MARCHE
058-9306-4
AVERTISSEMENT
INTENSITÉ
MIG 180 INVERTER WELDER
SOUDEUSE À ONDULEUR MIG 180
1
MC-589306-47
1/8"
2
1

TABLE OF CONTENTS
2
MIG 180 INVERTER WELDER 058-9306-4
QUICK START GUIDE
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS 3
SAFETY GUIDELINES 4–8
KEY PARTS DIAGRAM 9–11
IMPORTANT INFORMATION 12–18
ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS 19–29
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS 30–41
MAINTENANCE 42
TROUBLESHOOTING 43–44
MAIN CIRCUIT CHART 45
EXPLODED VIEW 46
PARTS LIST 47–48
WARRANTY 49–50

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
3
MIG 180 INVERTER WELDER 058-9306-4
WELDER SPECIFICATION
SPOOL GUN (OPTIONAL) SPECIFICATION
POWER SUPPLY Single-phase, 230 V, 60 Hz
NO-LOAD VOLTAGE 78 V
OUTPUT CURRENT 30–200 A DC
DUTY CYCLE 30%
WIRE USED 0.023–0.035"
(0.6 – 0.9 mm) MIG wire
0.030–0.035"
(0.8 – 0.9 mm) flux-core wire
WIRE DIAMETER 0.023"
(0.6 mm) , 0.030" (0.8 mm) ,
0.035"
(0.9 mm)
ELECTRODE DIAMETER 1/16" (1.6 mm) , 5/64" (2.0 mm) , 5/32" (4.0 mm),
3/32"
(2.5 mm) , 1/8" (3.2 mm)
DIMENSIONS (L x W x H) 17 7/10 x 9 2/5 x 13 4/5" (450 x 239 x 351 mm)
WEIGHT 48 lb 2 oz (21.8 kg)
CONNECTOR 4-pin quick connect power connection
MOTOR VOLTAGE 24 V DC
WIRE SPEED 590"/min
RATING 200 A w/CO2 gas
140 A A/Ar gas

SAFETY GUIDELINES
4
MIG 180 INVERTER WELDER 058-9306-4
This manual contains information that relates to PROTECTING PERSONAL SAFETY and PREVENTING
EQUIPMENT PROBLEMS. It is very important to read this manual carefully and understand it
thoroughly before using the product. The symbols listed below are used to indicate this information.
Note – The word “Note” is used to inform the
reader of something he/she needs to know about
the tool.
PERSONAL SAFETY
These precautions are intended for the personal safety of the user and others working with the user.
Please take time to read and understand them.
DANGER!
Potential hazard that will result in serious
injury or loss of life.
WARNING!
Potential hazard that could result in
serious injury or loss of life.
CAUTION!
Potential hazard that may result in
moderate injury or damage to equipment.

SAFETY GUIDELINES
5
MIG 180 INVERTER WELDER 058-9306-4
DANGER!
Potential hazard that will result in serious injury or loss of life.
•Keep children or other personnel away from the work area while welding. Do
not allow children or persons with mental or physical disabilities to handle
the welder.
•Do not use the welder in the presence of flammable liquids or gases. Sparks
that are created during use may ignite gases.
• Always ensure that a fire extinguisher is available in an adequate distance
within the welding environment.
• Have the welder repaired by a qualified technician in accordance with local,
provincial and national codes.
• Do not repair or maintain the welder while the power is on.
• Do not use an ungrounded power source, as it might cause electrical shock
to the user.
• The welding process must conform to ANSI Z49.1; NFPA 51; OSHA 29 CFR,
part 1910, sub part Q; CSA W117.2; American Welding Society standard A6.0.
• Do not expose the welder to rain.
• Always disconnect the power supply when working on internal components.
• Do not touch the PC board without being properly grounded with a wrist
strap. Place the PC board in a static proof bag while shipping.
• Make sure harmful arc rays are shielded from view of other personnel.
•Do not operate the welder in humid, wet or poorly ventilated areas.
•Risk of electric shock: Do not touch electrical live parts or metal
components connected to the welding wire, as doing so may cause fatal
shock and severe burns. Secure the ground lead before welding. Poor ground
connection creates hazardous situation. Wear a dry protective apparel like a
coat, shirt, gloves, and insulated footwear.

SAFETY GUIDELINES
6
MIG 180 INVERTER WELDER 058-9306-4
•Risk of explosion: Keep high pressure shielding gas cylinder away from
welding or electrical circuits. Never expose cylinders to high heat, sparks,
open flames, mechanical shocks or arcs. Do not touch the cylinder with MIG
gun and do not weld on the cylinder. Use proper regulators, gas hoses and
fittings for the specific application. Use protective cylinder cap whenever
possible.
•Risk for breathing: Never directly inhale the emission of harmful fumes
during welding. Make sure the work area is clean, dry and ventilated. Use a
ventilation device to remove welding fumes from the work environment.
• Do not weld on coated materials like galvanized, cadmium plated or
contacting zinc, mercury or barium, as they emit harmful fumes that are
dangerous to breathe. If required, use a respirator with air supply or remove
coating from the material in the weld area.
• Do not weld near materials that will emit toxic fumes when heated. Vapours
from cleaners, sprays and degreasers can be highly toxic when heated.
•Risk of burns: Do not touch the welded materials with bare hands, as the
welded materials are hot and can cause severe burns. Do not touch MIG gun
nozzle or tip of the electrode holder after welding until it has been cooled.
• Wear garments that are oil-free with no pockets or cuffs that will collect
sparks.
•Risk of fire: Do not weld on containers or pipes that contain flammable,
gaseous or liquid combustibles. Welding creates sparks and heat that ignite
flammable and explosive materials. Remove all flammable materials within
35 feet of the welding arc or tightly cover the flammable materials with
fireproof covers. Ensure that flying sparks do not cause fires or explosions in
hidden areas, cracks or areas that are out of vision. Use a fire extinguisher in
the work area. Do not have any items that are combustible, such as lighters
or matches
•Connect the work lead to the weld area as close as possible to prevent any
unknown, unintended paths of electrical current from causing electrical
shock and fire hazards. To prevent any unintended arcs after welding, cut off
the excess wire that extends past the end of the nozzle more than ¼".