Just changed the reel on my SIP 130A MIG welder (don't snigger, got taken in by that classic car magazine review)
There is a sticker near the reel spindle that says "always feed wire from bottom of reel" and the original reel was loaded this way - reel was turning clockwise.
This puts quite an angle on the wire as it passes into the wire feed mechanism. Loading the reel so the wire feeds from the top of the reel (reel turns anti-clockwise) gives a straight run.
To be honest, didn't notice the sticker until after I loaded the wire and ran it as far as the gun, so haven't changed it back.
Should I?
BTW found out last weekend that as supplied, the SIP came with 0.6mm wire and a 0.8mm tip, which might explain some of my erratic welding so far (noticed an immediate improvement with the correct tip). Knew I'd done something wrong when the welder arrived with a "Made in Italy" label. Glutton for punishment as I've just bought an Italian motorbike as well!
There is a sticker near the reel spindle that says "always feed wire from bottom of reel" and the original reel was loaded this way - reel was turning clockwise.
This puts quite an angle on the wire as it passes into the wire feed mechanism. Loading the reel so the wire feeds from the top of the reel (reel turns anti-clockwise) gives a straight run.
To be honest, didn't notice the sticker until after I loaded the wire and ran it as far as the gun, so haven't changed it back.
Should I?
BTW found out last weekend that as supplied, the SIP came with 0.6mm wire and a 0.8mm tip, which might explain some of my erratic welding so far (noticed an immediate improvement with the correct tip). Knew I'd done something wrong when the welder arrived with a "Made in Italy" label. Glutton for punishment as I've just bought an Italian motorbike as well!
