clarke 160 TM ,stuck shroud.

[postie jon]

Hi guys, iam new to this computer malarky so be gentle , lol. Just purchased a 160 TM to replace my cebora 130, everything seems fine ,dont have gas so cant get started. One thing that is puzzling me is the fact the gas shroud is stuck fast,every other welder i have used over the past 20yrs hasnt presented a problem, if i turn it the shroud & gas diffuser ,with the tip attached comes off in one, most i have seen are held on with a spring, have followed the procedure in the hand book but no joy, any suggestions gratefully recieved, cheers jon.

 

[gaz1]

there is 2 types a screw off one unscrews the whole shroud off or a spring held version you take off by spinning it



however if your tip gets hot both the shroud and inner can get welded together by the mig welder wire when drops of molten metal drops back into end of the gun tip

 

[Cobbler]

Try turning it to the right, on the 160 TM they are held by a spring as Gaz says. If you turn it the wrong way the spring grips the shroud & it won't come off, turn it the other way & it winds up the spring a bit, loosening a bit & it will come off then.

I think you will find the 160TM uses the same consumables as the euro torch & these are fitted in this way.

 

[postie jon]

when it unscrewed ,attached to the diffuser ,i held it with a spanner on the flat sides & tried to turn it either way but totally solid, i understand this can happen once used but found it strange as its brand new.

 

[postie jon]

Any views or tips on this machine ? I know its at the bottom range of the scale of automotive ,industrial welders but surely better than an sip?

 

[Cobbler]

I've got one, had a 100en for over 20 years & was very satisfied, it was a little bit underpowered for repairing a Land Rover chassis, so replaced it with the 160TM. Well pleased with it, the only criticism I had was the earth lead was a bit short, this I replaced with a longer detachable lead, I can't find the post I did on how to do it though. Spares are readily available, I think you will be pleased with it.

A mate asked me if I could get his SIP working, & looking at it, the Clarke wire feed is about a thousand times better!

 

[gaz1]

when it unscrewed ,attached to the diffuser ,i held it with a spanner on the flat sides & tried to turn it either way but totally solid, i understand this can happen once used but found it strange as its brand new.

it sounds to me that a blob of molten wire has dropped in fastening each to each other

does it look like the second picture with 2 flat parts on it at the base

the other type just screws onto the swann neck

 

[postie jon]

yeah Gaz thats it , finally managed to get it to budge , held the flat sides gently in the vice , grasped the shroud with extra grip non slip gloves on and wiggled as i pulled & twisted, after about 5 minutes it eventually slid off .funny enuff it went back on no problem. Thanks guys ,glad to hear from yous.

 

[pedrobedro]

The spring held ones can be a challenge, my mate couldn't grasp that you turn it to the right to remove it and also turn it to the right to install it. It took me ages to explain that is not a thread it compresses the spring. He would nod his head then continue to try to unscrew it like a nut