Clarke 160TM torch shroud spring

[Doive]

Bought my 160TM a few months ago, but am only getting round to setting it up now. Power supply sorted no problems. Reel installed no problems. Now the real issue - the torch shroud. The manual says, and I quote 'Turn the shroud ani-clockwise and pull to remove'.

So as per every other welder I've ever used, grab the mole grips and twist it anti-clockwise (no way it was moving by hand). Very coarse threaded screw, so I stopped and gave it a tug to see if it would come off. Nope. Continued unscrewing it, and noticed a weird spring like thing around the thread coming off with the shroud. Tried tugging it again, still no joy. Eventually it screwed all the way off. Removed tip, wire fed through no problems.

Now, replacing the shroud. This weird screw thing doesn't want to sit anywhere sensible, there seems to be a bent end at the tip end of it which would appear to hook into the shroud. The inside of the shroud is not threaded. I'm very confused, never seen anything like this before, and I've used all manner of gas and gasless Migs. I've tried every which way of replacing the shroud, but it doesn't want to know. Anyone else encountered this? Have I knackered the torch?

EDIT: It's the little spring shown in the photo below, except mine is now a very strange shape. I'm guessing that makes it knacered. So what damage am I likely to have done, and what is the correct method for removing / replacing the shroud on these?

 

[rtbcomp]

IIRC the bent bit locates in a hole to stop the spring from turning. As you rotate the shroud the spring should wind in and reduce its diameter and hence its grip on the shroud, once the shroud is in place the spring expands to grip the shroud.

I think you may have to turn it clockwise to slacken, have a look to see how the spring is wound.

I may be wrong, it's a while since I changed a shroud, but it was something like that!

 

[pedrobedro]

You turn it to compress the spring and it just pulls off, the threads are grooves to locate the spring not really screw threads. It turns in the same direction to fit it and to remove it either pull the shroud or push as you turn it. I've never had one that needed grips to remove it. Springs are not too dear just get a new one.

 

[lewis_tudor]

pedro is right you should just have to turn it clockwise to remove the shroud and to fit it back on. there is not normally a 'thread' in the shroud. if it does not come on and off by hand, easily, then there is something wrong

Lewis

 

[harvey639]

try heating the shroud with a blow torch for a few seconds an then twist and pill it off with some mole grips when it is still hot.

 

[thebogman]

Hi sorry for reopening an old thread but having the exact same problem as the original poster. Setting up Clarke 160tm for first time, and also had great difficulty removing shroud first time, tried anticlockwise first as per manual then clockwise. Ended up using pliers and gimped the retaining spring same as above.

So went down to welding shop today and bought a couple of spare retaining springs that looked the same but they seem a little too big. I can't seem to get the shroud on over the spring. The replacement springs I got were off an m15 euro torch I think..

Does anyone know the correct size springs to get? Are the m15 ones right or do I need to buy some that are unique to the 160tm?

OR..

Is there just a simple trick to getting the shroud on that I'm missing?

Keen to get practicing my welding so pretty frustrating

Hi by the way, long time lurker newbie welder!