Hi all,
Although a newbie on here, I originally learnt to weld back in the 70s, but have forgotten most off it.
In the early 80s I bought a second hand Clarke No Gas 85EN mig welder) and still have it) it's still working but now showing it's age, Had to replace the liner and tips, as usual.
One thing that bugged me on that machine was, When placing the spool of Flux Mig wire (0.5kg) onto it holder, it was ALWAYS too tight, so tight I could hardly get it to turn freely. I always thought it was old age and wear and tear on the mounting, or the cheep makes of welding wire had smaller holes in the reels. (ended up using the welder laid on it's side with the spool resting on the first inch of the holder, any more it locked up).
I've now decided to get a replacement, and as money is tight and I don't use it often enough, I went for the WOLF WELD 130, Gas / No Gas. Which rates from 30a - 130a as you probably know.
I purchased it from UK Home Shopping as an ex demo model for £100 complete with All accessories. Unfortunately when it turned up, it looks like someone helped themselves to all the loose items and retaped the box (badly), but UK home shopping are quickly onto it and are sending replacements.
But in the meantime, I thought, All I should need to do is, Fit a uk plug, a roll of Flux Wire, and I should be able to test it. As I had both already, that should have been it.
1st, UK plug fitted, No Problem. 2nd, set the polarity, Done, no problem. 3, fit gas less wire. Here goes. Brand new out the box, opened it up, punched hole in the centre and went to fit. VERY TIGHT, Noticed first problem if fitted "Normal way" it was feeding from the TOP of the reel. This machine feeds from the BOTTOM. So, turned it around and tried again, Even Tighter, there is NO chance of the drive rollers pulling the wire through sufficiently. It feels as though the hole in the reel is tapered the wrong way and is too small anyway.
IS this Normal, do the "Cheaper" reels suffer this way or do I have to get BRANDED kit.
Sorry for such a long first post, there will be more shorter ones to follow.
cheers,
Joe.
Although a newbie on here, I originally learnt to weld back in the 70s, but have forgotten most off it.
In the early 80s I bought a second hand Clarke No Gas 85EN mig welder) and still have it) it's still working but now showing it's age, Had to replace the liner and tips, as usual.
One thing that bugged me on that machine was, When placing the spool of Flux Mig wire (0.5kg) onto it holder, it was ALWAYS too tight, so tight I could hardly get it to turn freely. I always thought it was old age and wear and tear on the mounting, or the cheep makes of welding wire had smaller holes in the reels. (ended up using the welder laid on it's side with the spool resting on the first inch of the holder, any more it locked up).
I've now decided to get a replacement, and as money is tight and I don't use it often enough, I went for the WOLF WELD 130, Gas / No Gas. Which rates from 30a - 130a as you probably know.
I purchased it from UK Home Shopping as an ex demo model for £100 complete with All accessories. Unfortunately when it turned up, it looks like someone helped themselves to all the loose items and retaped the box (badly), but UK home shopping are quickly onto it and are sending replacements.
But in the meantime, I thought, All I should need to do is, Fit a uk plug, a roll of Flux Wire, and I should be able to test it. As I had both already, that should have been it.
1st, UK plug fitted, No Problem. 2nd, set the polarity, Done, no problem. 3, fit gas less wire. Here goes. Brand new out the box, opened it up, punched hole in the centre and went to fit. VERY TIGHT, Noticed first problem if fitted "Normal way" it was feeding from the TOP of the reel. This machine feeds from the BOTTOM. So, turned it around and tried again, Even Tighter, there is NO chance of the drive rollers pulling the wire through sufficiently. It feels as though the hole in the reel is tapered the wrong way and is too small anyway.
IS this Normal, do the "Cheaper" reels suffer this way or do I have to get BRANDED kit.
Sorry for such a long first post, there will be more shorter ones to follow.
cheers,
Joe.