15kg wire on 160TM

[liammc]

Got my welder a few months ago and ordered a 5kg 0.8mm reel from our usual supplier. They sent a 15kg reel as they are actually cheaper than 5kg.

The reel physically fits on the spindle but its weigt worries me. It seems like something might fail. Does anyone think I should send it back and insist on a 5kg reel.

 

[weldequip]

Best to stick with the 5Kg size on that model, they will accept the 15Kg but put's excessive strain on the feed motor. Plus the wire can go rusty if it's stood for any length of time, so more wastage
weldequip

 

[malcolm]

I'd prefer the smaller reels on those. The motors don't have a lot of power so there's potential for slow starts where the wire takes a second or two to get moving - makes the start of the weld cold with lots of wire buildup, and limits the use of stop-start techniques.

 

[liammc]

Yeh had another look and have decided to send the 15kg back