1st attempt has ended in welding the nozzle

[Bombhead64]

Hi, I've just had my first go using a mig welder ( Clarke 135TE ) and within seconds I seem to have welded the wire to the nozzle. I have been unsuccessful in unblocking it but fortunately my father has a lathe and has managed to make me another.
Can anyone advise me how I did it and more importantly how not to do it again. Is there an easy way to de-weld the nozzle if I do it again, are these available as spares ? Many thanks.

 

[Country Joe]

Hi Bombhead64,
Wire feed spped too low, maybe?
Turn it up until you feel it pushing against the work-piece, then back it off until it sounds, looks & feels right.
All the Best,
CJ
PS - Welcome to the Forum!

 

[Chickenjohn]

Keep the inside of the shroud free of splatter- clean it out with a thin bladed screwdriver or simmilar.
Also, when you get the shroud and tip hot from welding for a while, dip it in a tub of anti splatter paste- this will help prevent splatter build up which can cause the wire to stick to the tip.
Also as CJ says, turn the wire speed up a little.

 

[R Kraft]

All of the parts on the end of the gun are subject to various amounts of wear.
You can find them for sale as consumables.
It is common to keep tips and a nozzle or two for spares.

 

[mike os]

contact tips are cheap...no need to make them

up wire feed a bit, less power and move teh torch further back from the work

also worth a look under the "mig welding " tab at the top of teh page there are several very useful tutorials

 

[pedrobedro]

I've resurrected a tip by cutting the end off and filing it flat as a last resort when I was down to a last one with the shops shut but I usually have 4 or 5 spares in the tin ready just in case.