Multimaster 260 Mig torch always hot

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I just picked up a MM 260, three of them acutally.  The one that is in the best shape has a problem of the wire always being energized.Where would I begin to look to cure this issue?ThanksJeff
Reply:Contactor stuck?Thermal Arc 320SP ( Lorch )Cobra PythonsThermal Arc 300 AC/DC  ( Sanrex )ESAB 301i AC/DC  ( Lorch )Thermal Arc 161STL  ( WTL )Thermal Arc 190S  ( Sanrex )Cut Master 82, 42. Cut45 ( WTL )Victor Gas Apps.Boxes and boxes of welding crap.
Reply:Originally Posted by Jhaywood75I just picked up a MM 260, three of them acutally.  The one that is in the best shape has a problem of the wire always being energized.Where would I begin to look to cure this issue?ThanksJeff
Reply:Extending on what MJD is asking.  Is the wire feeding while the wire is hot or not?  If wire is not feeding then I find it unlikely that the gun has a short.  Have you tried switching guns around?Lincoln, ESAB, Thermal Dynamics, Victor, Miller, Dewalt, Makita, Kalamzoo.  Hand tools, power tools, welding and cutting tools.
Reply:I only have the one gun so swapping is not an option.  The wire feeds fine and is hot with trigger on and off.  I looked through the guts and see nothing obvious.  Is the contactor what Esab calls the transistor?  The widget with copper bars and large capacitors?   Nothing in the part diagrams lists a contactor by name.Admittedly, I have never worked on a welder.  One of the few things that I have not had the chance or need to fix yet The other machine has a duty cycle issue, and the third is totally unknown regarding its problems.
Reply:A contactor could also be called a relay. Basically a heavy duty switch that is controlled by a smaller switch in a different location
Reply:All fixed.  The mig tig stick switch was bad.  Basically it was energizing the wire like an electrode no matter what position the switch was in.Thanks guys!
Reply:Good to hear it's working.