I'm missing something...help?

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I have a Millermatic 180, I'm new to it, but have been making some progress.  I had a friend (with 30years of experince) give me some pointers but we used his gear.  Now i go back to using mine and I can't get it set up right.  I read the matrix and got it set up, i think i'm on, but its acting like the gas isn't on.  Then after about 6-8 inches of welding it acts choppy as if the speed is off, there isn't a kink or loop in the wire cable.  and the welds look decent but sometimes for no reason looks like the gas is off.  How do i check if the gas is flowing to the tip?
Reply:Check the obvious first.........1.  Enough gas in the tank & the valve opened.2.  All connections are tight & leak free.3.  Gun pushed into the block all the way.4.  Purge your gun (should have a setting to purge & not run the wire).5.  Check with a Bic lighter or something like that, strike a flame & hold it in front of the gun during the purge cycle.  If the flame goes out, it's getting gas.  If not, there is a leak somewhere or the gas solenoid is out.6.  Sometimes you can feel the gas touching your cheek during the purge cycle.  Just don't breath in too much.7.  Type of wire, is it old or rusty?8.  Polarity set correctly for gas -vs- flux core wire.  DCEP for gas (solid wire) DCEN for flux core.9.  The chart inside the door will get you close, adjust voltage & wire speed until it doesn't do the skip anymore.10.  Too much tension on the rollers is almost as bad as not enough.  Do the 2x4 test & adjust wire roller tension accordingly.11.  Liner might be kinked or dirty.  Compressed air might help clean it, if it's kinked you will need to change it.MarkI haven't always been a nurse........Craftsman 12"x36" LatheEnco G-30B MillHobart Handler 175Lincoln WeldandPower 225 AC/DC G-7 CV/CCAdd a Foot Pedal to a Harbor Freight Chicago Electric 165A DC TIG PapaLion's Gate Build
Reply:If this is not a new unit, are all the connections good, are you getting a good connection with your ground clamp?
Reply:ok i got it figured out.  couple of problems.  1 there was no gas getting to the gun, i didn't push the cable to the gun into the welder all the way before tightening it down causing a leak.  Once i got that i was welding better.  2 the lack of gas was causing extra spatter on the welding surface making for a rough spark.  I'm not sure of the exact terms to describe it all being a new guy, but its working much better now.  Thanks for the help.  Its difficult welding with no coach looking over my shoulder, but I'm actually making presentable welds.  Next step, go from putting down beads (doing that now) on scrap metal to weld up a project.  should i tackle a welding table or a cart for my welder?
Reply:Make yourself a cart for the welder.First one isn't mine, but an idea I swiped off the internet.Second one is mine. Attached ImagesMarkI haven't always been a nurse........Craftsman 12"x36" LatheEnco G-30B MillHobart Handler 175Lincoln WeldandPower 225 AC/DC G-7 CV/CCAdd a Foot Pedal to a Harbor Freight Chicago Electric 165A DC TIG PapaLion's Gate Build
Reply:The tank has two valves; the one on the tank is for on-off and MUST be closed or opened all the way to the seat, on halves. The second valve is to regulate the gas flow and may be set to any position when not in use. The spark thingy is the ARC where all the good stuff happens.
Reply:Definitely a cart.  more carts the merrier.  Or, maybe the table first so you have something to make the cart on.  Or, now I'm getting confused.
Reply:Originally Posted by paweldorDefinitely a cart.  more carts the merrier.  Or, maybe the table first so you have something to make the cart on.  Or, now I'm getting confused.