BOC Smootharc MMA 130

Questions and Answers

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Timothy TurnerAug 23, 2025
What to do if my BOC Welding System has an erratic arc?
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  Alexis JenkinsAug 23, 2025
  An erratic arc in your BOC Welding System can arise from several causes. It may be due to incorrect voltage (arc too long), so maintain a short arc length. If the current is too low for the electrode size, use a smaller electrode or increase the current. Electrode contamination can also cause an erratic arc, so remove the contaminated portion and prepare it again. A joint that's too narrow can also contribute, so open the joint groove. Contaminated shield gas, indicated by dark stains on the electrode or weld bead, can be a factor, so use welding grade gas only and eliminate the source of contamination. Lastly, base metal that is oxidized, dirty, or oily can cause issues, so use appropriate chemical cleaners, wire brush, or abrasives prior to welding.
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Keith JenkinsAug 31, 2025
What causes inadequate shielding in my BOC Welding System?
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  joshuachavezAug 31, 2025
  Inadequate shielding in your BOC Welding System can be caused by several factors. A gas flow blockage or leak in the hoses or torch can be the culprit, so locate and eliminate the blockage or leak. Excessive travel speed can expose the molten weld to atmospheric contamination, so use a slower travel speed or carefully increase the flow rate to a safe level below creating excessive turbulence, and consider using a trailing shield cup. Wind or drafts can also interfere with shielding, so set up screens around the weld area. Excessive electrode stickout can cause issues, so reduce electrode stickout and use a larger size cup. Finally, excessive turbulence in the gas stream can lead to inadequate shielding, so change to gas saver parts or gas lens parts.
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Rebecca HowellSep 4, 2025
Why does my BOC Smootharc MMA 130 have short parts life?
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  Benjamin AbbottSep 4, 2025
  The short parts life in your BOC Welding System can be attributed to several factors. For short water-cooled leads life, verify coolant flow direction, ensuring the return flow is on the power cable lead. If the cup is shattering or cracking in use, change the cup size or type and adjust the tungsten position. A short collet life can be due to ordinary style collets that split and twist or jam, so consider changing to a wedge style. Finally, a short torch head life can result from operating beyond the rated capacity, so use a water-cooled model and avoid bending rigid torches.
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Angela ChavezSep 7, 2025
What causes arc blow in my BOC Welding System?
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  santanabobbySep 7, 2025
  Arc blow in your BOC Welding System can be caused by an induced magnetic field from DC weld current, so rearrange the split ground connection. Additionally, if the arc is unstable due to magnetic influence, reduce weld current and use an arc length as short as possible.
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Kevin DavisNov 11, 2025
Why is there porosity in the weld deposit of my BOC Smootharc MMA 130 Welding System?
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  michaelmitchellNov 11, 2025
  Porosity in the weld deposit of your BOC Welding System can occur due to several reasons. It could be caused by entrapped impurities like hydrogen, air, nitrogen, or water vapor. Avoid welding on wet material and remove condensation from the line using adequate gas pre-flow time. Also, defective gas hoses or loose connections could be the cause, so check them for leaks. Damp, oily, or dusty filler material can also contribute to porosity, so dry the filler metal in an oven or replace it. Alloy impurities in the base metal, such as sulfur, phosphorus, lead, and zinc, can also cause porosity, so consider changing to a different alloy composition. Excessive travel speed can trap gases, so lower the travel speed. Finally, contaminated shielding gas can be the culprit, so replace the shielding ...
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Douglas CarlsonNov 15, 2025
Why is there excessive electrode consumption in my BOC Welding System?
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  Kelly RodriguezNov 15, 2025
  Excessive electrode consumption in your BOC Welding System can stem from several factors. It might be due to inadequate gas flow, so try increasing the gas flow. Using an improper size electrode for the required current can also lead to this, so use a larger electrode. Operating with reverse polarity can cause excessive consumption, so use a larger electrode or change polarity. Electrode contamination can also be a factor, so remove the contaminated portion and prepare it again. Excessive heating inside the torch can contribute to this issue, so replace the collet or try a wedge or reverse collet. If the electrode is oxidizing during cooling, increase gas flow post time to 1 second per 10 amps. Lastly, an incorrect shield gas can cause excessive consumption, so change to a proper gas witho...
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johnallenNov 19, 2025
What causes cracking in welds in my BOC Smootharc MMA 130 Welding System?
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  Kristi CrawfordNov 19, 2025
  Cracking in welds of your BOC Welding System can be attributed to several factors. Hot cracking can occur in heavy sections or with metals that are hot shorts, so preheat the metal, increase the weld bead cross-section size, change the weld bead contour, or use metal with fewer alloy impurities. Crater cracks can result from improperly breaking the arc, so reverse direction and weld back into the previous weld at the edge or use Amprak or foot control to manually down slope current. Post-weld cold cracking can be caused by excessive joint restraint, rapid cooling, or hydrogen embrittlement, so preheat before welding, use pure or non-contaminated gas, increase the bead size, prevent craters or notches, and change the weld joint design. Centerline cracks in a single pass weld can occur, so i...
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jennifer13Nov 26, 2025
How to prevent tungsten or oxides inclusions in BOC Smootharc MMA 130?
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  Daniel MoralesNov 26, 2025
  Inclusion of tungsten or oxides in the weld of your BOC Welding System can occur due to several reasons. A poor lift starting technique can contribute, so use a copper strike plate. Excessive current for the tungsten size used can also cause this, so reduce the current or use a larger electrode. Accidental contact of the electrode with the puddle or filler rod can lead to inclusions, so maintain proper arc length and distance between the electrode and filler metal. Using excessive electrode extension can be a factor, so reduce the electrode extension to recommended limits. Inadequate shielding or excessive drafts can also cause inclusions, so increase gas flow, shield the arc from wind, or use a gas lens. Using the wrong gas, such as ArO2 or ArCO2 GMAW (MIG) gases for TIG welding, can caus...

Summary

Recommended Safety Precautions

Health Hazard Information

Details potential health risks associated with welding, including eye, skin, and inhalation hazards.

Personal Protection

Specifies essential personal protective equipment (PPE) required for safe welding operations.

Electrical Shock

Provides crucial safety information to prevent electrical shock hazards during welding.

User Responsibility

Outlines the user's obligations regarding safe operation, maintenance, and unauthorized repairs.

Manual Metal Arc Welding Process (MMAW)

Introduction

Introduces the Manual Metal Arc (MMAW) welding process and its growing usage.

Process

Explains the fundamental principles of the Manual Metal Arc welding process and power sources.

Welding Machine

Guides on selecting an appropriate welding machine based on various factors.

Welding Technique

Details the key factors that contribute to successful welding techniques in MMAW.

Electrode Selection

Provides guidance on selecting the correct electrode for different welding applications and materials.

Types of Joints

Describes various types of joints used in welding, focusing on butt weld preparations and their types.

Fillet Welds

Explains fillet welds, their application in joints, and defines terms like leg length and throat thickness.

Typical Defects Due to Faulty Technique

Identifies common weld defects resulting from poor welding technique and parameters.

Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW;TIG)

Introduction

Introduces the Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welding process and its basic principles.

Process

Illustrates the schematic of the TIG welding process and its components.

Process Variables

Discusses key process variables in TIG welding, including DCEN and DCEP polarities.

Welding Techniques

Provides guidelines for TIG welding techniques in different positions (flat, horizontal, vertical).

Shielding Gas Selection

Details the selection of appropriate shielding gases for various base metals in TIG welding.

Consumable Selection

Lists recommended welding consumables, including filler wire and tungsten electrodes.

Typical Welding Joints for Gas Tungsten Arc Welding

Describes typical joints like butt, T-joint, lap, and corner joints for TIG welding.

Machine Specifications and Contents

Operating Controls

Identifies and explains the function of each operating control on the welding machine.

Operating Functions

Welding selections

Details how to select MMA and DC TIG welding processes and set parameters.

Earthing

Explains the importance and procedure for establishing a proper earth connection for welding.

Technical Specifications

Periodic Maintenance

Daily Maintenance

Lists essential daily maintenance tasks to ensure proper unit operation and longevity.

Troubleshooting

Provides solutions for common problems encountered during unit operation, such as no power or poor welding.

Terms of Warranty

Outlines the warranty period, conditions, and requirements for the Smootharc MMA130.

Limitations on Warranty

Specifies conditions and circumstances that are not covered by the product warranty.

Warranty Repairs

Describes the procedure for obtaining warranty repairs and necessary documentation.

Recommended Safety Guidelines