Wolf MIG Welders - Why they should be avoided

I have just bought my first mig, wolf 135 turbo. Read the instruction and followed to the letter. 1st problem . Should my gun be live before pulling trigger?
got a big spark and flash while positioning gun to start welding.
I am new to mig welding only used one a year ago and dont remember having such a problem. It has left me shocked and should i use the machine does it have a falt.
thanks for any advice great site iam enjoying reading forum

In the bad old days the cheapest of the cheap welders often had permamantly live wire feed which was bad because it made it easy to get arc eye when positioning. There was a cost saving in getting rid of the relay that switched power to the torch. I didn't think anyone did that these days.

I had a look through the manual and can't find any mention of live wire feed or otherwise, but they did mention positioning prior to fliping the mask down and the risk wasn't mentioned. Here's the manual:
http://www.screwfix.com/sfd/i/cat/pdfs/63/p3977563.pdf

The Wolf is made by the same people as all the other welders, so I can't imagine it would be so much worse - I'm guessing it's faulty and the contactor unit (the relay) is broken. Anyone on the forum have one that can confirm?

thanks malcolm, just managed to contact tech help line it seems that this machine is produced with live wire feed. wish i had known this before purchase,
I wonder if anybody knows if it is possible to convert or any firm who may carry out conversion. So far i have only managed one pityful weld apart from sticking gun to my hacksaw (saw touching metal be welded, laid gun next to it) now need new tip.
thanks for help, intructions not very clear are they all like this or is it just this machine!

Anyone know whether the rest of the Wolfs have a live wire feed? I'm updating the buyers guide and it would be worth a mention.

It's annoying. Live wire feeds should be banned! But I suspect are more machines are cost downed in China the live wire feed will start to make a comeback. And of course the manufacturers won't mention it when they sell the machines.

Conversion might be possible but probably isn't something that the manufacturers would be able to help with. There's a contactor or relay integrated into the circuit board on the ones without a live feed. Could be worth sending a private message to FermWolfMan (he's a service engineer for Wolfs): http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=94

A couple of precautions that might help - the shroud should be isolated from the tip, but weld spatter can build up and make a contact between the shroud and tip - and then the shroud would arc against anything it touched. Worth keeping the spatter cleaned off, or an anti-spatter spray on the inside of the shroud might help. The other is to use one of the new fangled auto-dimming helmets that will allow you to position the tip with the visor down. Any flash and the mask goes dark and saves you from arc eye. They start from about £40.

The instructions with the welder will be rubbish, but should give the basic idea - practice on scrap metal is the answer. The local fab shop will have a skip full of the stuff they'll sell for beer money.

Should not be allowed on the market!, you can modify the plant, but is it worth it?? how much they saved for a few components can't be much, but to have the work done might be. Wolf used to have such a good name, but who owns them now I don't know, I have seen them for sale and they are not expensive, which the origional wolf gear was.
So yes you can have it put right.

Having spoken to sales staff at Screwfix where machine came from it appears that all the machines they sell are live wire feed, but they dont know for certain.
I asked if they thought it was important imformation that customer should know and that it is not mentioned in either their catalogue or in the poor instruction manuel, Iam waiting for reply.

Hi all, new here but so far VERY impressed with the site!!

I too have a Wolf welder, a 150 Turbo to be precise.

Ive just taken it out of the box (it was a cheapy off of Ebay.. Cat. return thing 'cos its a bit bent at the back). I'd also like to know A) if they are meant to be a live torch and if they are...and B) why they aren't properly documented as being so?? I think its extremly dangerous, after all the torch only has to slip a few milimeters and it could blind somebody or start a fire!

*rant over*

cheers guys

dan

Hi Dan,
Purely & simply because Screwfix ain't got a clue about welders!!
Live Torches went out AGES ago.
weldequip

Agreed completely with the rant. Judging by the number of eBay adverts it appears these welders get returned a lot.

It's not just the permamently live wire feed. The 150 has a minimum 40 amps which is far too much for thin car bodywork. 25 to 30 amp minimum would be better for automotive. Also 150 appears to be the model name not the max amps (which are 140).

The 130 for interest has a range from 60 amps to 120 amps.

I've given Wolf a special mention in the buyers guide so at least some people will be aware of these features.

Hi all again. Ive had a busy afternoon. First stop was to Elliots at BarHill, Cambridge. The service guy there was at lunch but I was advised to try StarMaker (also in cambridge). There the very helpful Stuart discussed my concerns about this live torch setup and between us we deemd it entirely possible to correct live torch problem with a relay. Watch this space as im going to investigate how easy its going to be. Maybe some of you have already considerd this or possibly even tried it?? how did you get on/ how far did you get?

dan.