clarke 130 turbo problem

[stumpypower]

hi hguys i have a clark 130 turbo mig welder its been great on car body panels but just started welding some box section to make a jig and there seems to be a problem the wire coming out of the gun seems notchy as if you had the wire speed up slightly to high [i havent] and it seems down on power also seems like the arc is ittermitent the welder is only a few mths old also noticed it was a bit of a potch feeding through a new reel of wire didnt run straight through
any ideas ime about to start welding on a car restoration/tarmac rally/fast car and the welds its producing and the way its behaving i cant use it at the moment it was ok to make a jig but not on the bits that matter

 

[rtbcomp]

If you had difficulty feeding the new wire through the torch I'd be inclined to change the liner and tip for starters, or at least blow it through with compressed air.

Did these problems start with the new wire? If so you may have a duff reel of wire.

 

[cumbriasteve]

first suggestions are the liner is damaged, that could help give the symptoms you suggest, although I was going to suggest a bad earth connection before you mentioned you had problems feeding the wire initially.

 

[stumpypower]

ive used about 3 reels on it now this being the fourth i noticed it didnt go straight through on the last reel as well assuming its the liner how much are these parts and how easy to replace ? a m8 did suggest using a thicker cable for the earth wire [heavy duty jump lead] but ime reluctant to start customising it lol

also ime welding 60x40 3.5 mm wall box section with mitred joints will this mig be up to it its a chassis so welds must have good penetration

 

[cumbriasteve]

liners are cheap enough, replace it with the wire version, available from loads of suppliers.

Not an expert but I think you are pushing it a bit on 3.5mm wall, 130 amp is usually running out of steam above 3mm, you may have to chamfer the joints.