need help

[colinyr77]

hi all i need help, I have a new Clarke 135te, and I'm new to welding i set the welder up out of the box and used it about 4 times to get a feel of a welder and was happy with it and my welding lol then i never used it over Christmas keeping it in the shed and last week i gave it another go and every time i try to weld the wire gets stuck and raps around the pulley i pulled the wire out set it all up again and the same i dune this about 10 times then give up. and put the welder in the house. today i gave it another go and the same again the wire will run and run smooth but as soon i touch metal to weld it sticks again. am i doin something wrong or is there something up with my new welder

thanks any advice

PS i need to get it sorted as soon as i have a land rover with big holes

 

[Paul.]

Sounds like the wire feed tension is too tight, adjust it so that when you pinch the wire between finger and thumb, the roller slips on the wire, this will avoid birds nesting the wire.
Also try and keep the torch lead straight, not always possible I know, as its brand new You are unlikely to have any major problems with it, just a case of learning to set it up.

 

[colinyr77]

thanks Paul i will give that a try its just that it was running fine and i never changed any thin from the last time i used it i was thinking maybe leaving it in the shed the frost may of dune something thats why i put it in the house 4 a week

 

[grandads_shed]

you dont say whether the wire sparks or heats up when it touches the metal.

if it do not then make sure that the earth is connected to the metal.

also do what TIG Paul suggests above

let us know how u get on

 

[colinyr77]

yes i get a spark but thats it just a split second i have set it up again so the pulley slips when i pinch the wire i am going to try now so will get back to you in 5
thanks again 4 your help lads its hard doing something that you have no idea what your doing

 

[wyn]

If you have the power up high and the wire feed low it could be burning the wire back and sticking to the tip. The wire will then birds nest if the feed rollers are tight. As TIG Paul says, loosen up the feed rolls and maybe try the power and wire speed somewhere in the middle for starters.

 

[colinyr77]

thank you so much it dune the trick i can now start learning how to weld now and hopefully get that land rover welded up b4 mot Ive got 6 months

 

[Paul.]

Result!
Stick around and let us know how you get on

 

[colinyr77]

i will and thanks again Paul top man....colin

 

[peterd51]

Hi,

if the welder's kept in the shed then you might find the wire gets a 'coating' similar to rust, or the 'dust' on aluminium.

That'll give you odd problems with feeding and it'll clog up the liner eventually. It's best to keep the wire in the house if you can, away from any damp.

Regards
Peter