Problem!! BROKE A FULL REEL OF STAINLESS WIRE.

[Chris S]

Hi, in a bit of a pickle.
were i work we only do mildsteel mig and arc.
i borrowed a full reel (15KG) of stainless wire off a fabrication freind.

i put it on the bench turned round to get my snips and it followed me and smashed on the floor

i dont want to return it like it is, as it was an accident. and been a labourer not on much money to get a new 1! is there any way i can put an empty reel on the welder and hold the new 1 and reel it on? like a cassette?

 

[Wozzaaah]

It's doable but you'll struggle to get it wound neatly which could lead to feed issues and major frustration.
Most wire is PLW (precision layer wound) rather than random wound, there can be a big difference in the feed smoothness from both types.
Unfortunately 15KG of stainless wire will cost you an arm and a leg to replace.

 

[Chris S]

Exactly!! is there anywhere that would re wind it for me?

 

[bush]

If it's only the sides smashed, try some glue and/or cut the sides off an empty reel and stick those on.

 

[Wozzaaah]

Respooling is not something that is commonly done so I doubt anyone would be geared up to do it, it just wouldn't be worth it financially.
I think your best bet is to be honest with your mate and let him decide what he wants you to do. As it was a genuine accident then I'm sure he would understand and maybe let you pay for it in instalments.
What you could do then is scrounge up some empty 0.7kg spools off forum members, knock up some sort of jig and and wind it onto them ready for ebaying.

 

[BChild]

What you could do then is scrounge up some empty 0.7kg spools off forum members, knock up some sort of jig and and wind it onto them ready for ebaying.

I have two spare if you need them - it's a great plan

 

[Glyn]

I've got this problem, a full 15kg of stainless with a busted spool. It still feeds ok at the moment but I can see it spilling of the side the more it's used. I've got it in my head that I can make some sort of rig to fit in my bench drill and spool it on to an old reel. I know there's going to be a lot of waste but if I can save half of it I'll be pleased.

 

[BChild]

I've got this problem, a full 15kg of stainless with a busted spool. It still feeds ok at the moment but I can see it spilling of the side the more it's used. I've got it in my head that I can make some sort of rig to fit in my bench drill and spool it on to an old reel. I know there's going to be a lot of waste but if I can save half of it I'll be pleased.

I think I'd make a rig that was hand operated that way you can guide the wire as you turn the new spool ensuring that it closer to precision wound

 

[KTMMICK]

I am quite sure, without seeing it you can use it as is. But just make up something to hold it on the reel. As was said tell your friend, sure he will understand.

 

[Wozzaaah]

If you can respool it onto 0.7kg spools you could easily sell them for a tenner each if not 15 quid. You're looking at 20 or so spools from a 15kg reel so £200!

 

[chrisg3103]

i wound a 0.5kg spool of gasless wire onto an empty 5kg spool as it had sprung all over the place, some silly sod didnt secure the end before lettin it go

a meer 0.5 kg took about a half hour to wind by hand! x 15kg = a long time
plus as it hasnt got the same tension and precision in the winding its taken up more space on the spool than it needs to, so even if you have got a spare 15kg spool it might not fit unless your really good at winding and take your time. ie a week

just a thought but if you can suss out a fishing reel mechanism that could be handy, or find a 15kg fishing reel

 

[TechnicAl]

You could try WELDMORE in Consett Co Durham. They can spool 15Kg down to 3 x 5Kg but the wire needs to be fed off the broken spool, which might be a problem.
I dont have their number on me at the moment.

Are you insured? if so, is it worth a claim?

 

[Hitch]

How bad is the spool? Just own up and tell your mate, these things happen!

Ive used damaged spools a few times without any major problems. Occasionally the wire might pull off and catch on a crack, but a wiggle of the wire would sort it most of the time.

 

[Pete.]

You might have good luck if you can get access to a lathe to wind it on. Many old lathes were used to wind motor windings, my old Atlas had charts and feeds rates in the manual for this purpose.