Problem with wire feed Clarke welder 125en

[4dabird]

I went to use my welder today, and found the feed will not feed smoothly or at all some times. the feeder mechanism and path seem to be ok. Is it possible the wire has gone bad. The reason I say this, is I noticed what looks like discoloration in the wire as well as the wire being over a year old. Suggestions?

Thanks.

 

[shenion]

If it is cheap Chinese wire (Harbor Freight), then it is probably the wire.

Make sure the reel spins freely, I have had goo from the label cause it to stick.

Check there is no gunk in the grooves of the roller.

Other than that, may be the liner is getting plugged or you need a new tip.

 

[4dabird]

It's not Harbor Freight, but Menard's variety. The feed surges, but when I pull the wire from the tip with light pressure it feeds well. I will try a new spool from a weld supply house in town and see if that helps.

 

[shenion]

I use Lincoln Electric SuperMIG L56 from HomerD or Hobart wire from Northern tools.

I have a roll of each that are well over a year old and have sat in my often flooded garage and still look like new.

This is gas wire (ER70-6)?

 

[4dabird]

It is gas wire. Both the .030 and .023 are doing the same thing. Even without the tip in, it surges while feeding.

 

[shenion]

Check the idler is square to the roller. On the older machines it can wear or the pivot is weak and the idler get at a slight angle and hits the surface of the roller and looses tension.

Can also be cause by dirt on the roller.

 

[4dabird]

I found the problem, the finger tightening nut of the wire on the roller (in the groove) needed to be tightened. It was just snug. I got it as tight as my fingers could get it, and now it feeds consistently.

The welder is only about 2 years old.

Thanks for the tips.

 

[shenion]

It should only be as tight as needed so the wire slips if it jams rather than balling up and creating a birdsnest.