Preventing wire rusting

[lotus_esprit_s1]

As my workshop is 20 metres from the sea, things rust instantly. My friend tells me to spray my mig wire reel with wd40, is this recommended or will it affect the welding at a later date?

 

[Shox Dr]

Not sure about the WD. How about a 40watt filament bulb, that would keep the damp at bay. Put it on a timer so it's not on all the time, would save you money

 

[Windy Miller]

WD will be fine!

 

[PhillipM]

I have a few silicon desiccant packs thrown in the bottom of my welder to stop that.

 

[Seano]

I have a few silicon desiccant packs thrown in the bottom of my welder to stop that.

Ha you just reminded me, I need to change mine...

 

[keith19]

I usually use WD40 over winter if the mig isn't likely to be used. Recently brought it into the house, so shouldn't need to spray the reel this year.
A light spray all around the reel surface is enough, don't soak it.

Unless you are doing safety critical parts directly after restarting, it won't do any harm.
You can remove any remaining WD when restarting by fixing a wad of cotton waste rag just before the wire enters the rollers, so the wire runs through the rag and gets wiped.

 

[pedrobedro]

You can remove any remaining WD when restarting by fixing a wad of cotton waste rag just before the wire enters the rollers, so the wire runs through the rag and gets wiped.

Pinch one of your mum's spring clothes pegs off the line and clip a wad of material to the wire with it if there's room. I used to do it with a piece of wire wool in my old welder to clean the wire.

 

[Seano]

You could use one of These

 

[Sean]

Pinch one of your mum's spring clothes pegs off the line and clip a wad of material to the wire with it if

See, I thought i was just being Scottish

didnt we have this thread earlier in the year - wd40 here and no ill effects

 

[rocketron]

our workshop is 20mts down wind from the sea, have used wd 40 in the past with no ill effects. but now have a "Moisture-mate" tub in the wire reel bit of the mig: about £8, refills are £2, should last in a living room about 10months. Checked over the wire today, as not been used for 3 weeks, and is perfect. Highly recommend this method

 

[Shox Dr]

Ha you just reminded me, I need to change mine...

No need to change just dry it out in an low oven over night

 

[stew]

I have a few silicon desiccant packs thrown in the bottom of my welder to stop that.

same here!

 

[nickk]

Not sure about the WD. How about a 40watt filament bulb, that would keep the damp at bay. Put it on a timer so it's not on all the time, would save you money

i agree,one of my migs is in an exposed shed & for 6 months i leave a low energy bulb on 24hrs. no problem now.

 

[shenion]

I just buy wire that doesn't rust Have 2 big reels of Lincoln an Hobart wire that still look near new after at least 2 years in my often flooded garage.

I'd worry about the rollers and liner rusting. The machines i restored both needed work, the wire was fine.

 

[Seano]

No need to change just dry it out in an low oven over night

You know......I didn't know that Shox....you learn something new every day...thankfully

 

[armcosurfer]

You can also run the wire through a sponge type earplug just before the rollers,wipes any contaminants off the wire, I also use the silicone dessicant bags.

 

[aametalmaster]

I use WD-40 also. Watch out for mice nests i have found some in my welder before...Bob