Help needed with Clarke Mig

[rockstarr]

Hello, i got round to diggin out my Clarke 150 TE Turbo yesterday, problem being when i was welding it just kept spitting, either blowing through the steel being welded, starting and stopping and just really playing up like that.

The earth seemed to be ok and all surfaces were clean. Does this sound an earth problem, gas problem or could it be the Transformer packing up.

I was welding a 1mm thick plate onto a cross member of a van. If anyone uses this welder what settings do you you use for welding 1mm - 2m plate? Just seemed also max-1 setting was too high and min-2 was too low!!

Any help would be great guys as im pulling my hair out here

 

[weldequip]

You shouldn't really be welding your own vehicle up, being a rockstar n all...pay somebody else to do it! I would say 1 Max or 2 Min should be good power setting wise (concentrate the arc more on the 2mm stuff); if it's 'spitting & farting', wire burning back to the copper tip? what's the condition of the wire like...rusty??
weldequip

 

[rockstarr]

being a rockstar isnt as good as its made out to be buddy

Wire is pretty old but in good condition, just seems like you cant get a nice smooth weld without starting and stopping either because it spits, blows through or losses earth

 

[malcolm]

Is it the same when you adjust the wire speed, and is the tip in good condition?

The earth clamps that come with the Clarkes aren't up to much. Mine needed cleaning with a file and bending a bit to get some contact pressure. Could be that if it's an earthing problem.

 

[gaz_moose]

just check the basics wire condition and earth

 

[weldequip]

And also the often over-looked basics such as wire linings, contact tip condition etc.
weldequip

 

[rockstarr]

Is it the same when you adjust the wire speed, and is the tip in good condition?

The earth clamps that come with the Clarkes aren't up to much. Mine needed cleaning with a file and bending a bit to get some contact pressure. Could be that if it's an earthing problem.

Yeah when i adjusted the wire speed to a faster setting it was fine for a few minutes then ended up back to the same old routine!! The wire isnt rusty or anything so whats the best thing to look for.

 

[peterd51]

Hi,

the wire spiral thingy in the torch, it gets full of rust/dust, etc, and slows the wire feed.

On mine I just removed it, waggled it around a bit and tapped the wide end on the bench and loads of stuff fell out.

Although it doesn't cost much for a new one. A new torch liner would probably help too, available from Weldequip on here, send him a PM and you'll get great service and price.

Regards
Peter

 

[Jake SS]

If it welds OK for a while wouldnt think it would be electrical, sounds more like a feed problem. Back off your spool wire tension, release the tension arm, remove the tip, pull some wire through the gun by hand with the gun at full stretch, it should pull through easily, then take a couple of steps back towards the machine, so that you are getting a loop in the gun, while still pulling wire through by hand, if it starts to bind then yes your liner and or guide tubes are causing the problem, if you replace the liner chuck a new tip on as well. If your wire has any rust or scale on it remove that section of wire till you get to nice clean stuff as you will only clog up the new liner. Tell tale sign of dodgy wire or too much tension is getting coppery dust on the rollers and or at the input side of the guide tube.

Cheers
Jake