Replacing MIG tip

[Blakebn2011]

Should i leave the welder on and earthed when i replace the MIG tip? I usually turn it off, i was just wondering.

 

[tux]

Mine is always turned off and usually unplugged.
What would you gain from having it earthed? (that is a genuine question, not a sarcastic one by the way!)

Oh and welcome to the forums!

 

[Robotstar5]

It does no harm to change tip with welder on, in fact if the wire is melted into the tip it helps to flick the trigger as you unscrew it to save trying to stretch the wire in the liner as tip comes out.
By leaving it earthed, I assume you mean leaving the weld work return clamp on the workpiece, not a problem.

 

[Sparkey]

hihi...sorry but it did make me giggle!
No really, you can leave it on when changing the tip, no problems at all! Like robotstar mentioned already, sometimes you need to leave it on so you can pull the trigger if needed (to free the wire when it's stuck to the tip, most of the time a quick twist with your wrist and squeezing the trigger at the same time will free your wire)

The only thing you have to be careful with is don't let the wire touch your workpiece when you do this! Don't laugh! i've seen someone holding the wire and touching the workpiece with it...... that really smells like fried bacon!

Welcome btw!

 

[pedrobedro]

It does no harm to change tip with welder on, in fact if the wire is melted into the tip it helps to flick the trigger as you unscrew it to save trying to stretch the wire in the liner as tip comes out.
By leaving it earthed, I assume you mean leaving the weld work return clamp on the workpiece, not a problem.

If it's welded the wire into the tip It's easiest to cut the wire in the box then stretch the cable out before you try to remove the tip or you are putting twists into the wire in the liner.

 

[Hitch]

Don't think i could face doing that every time a tip gets changed.

 

[dannyp]

unless i mess up i normaly ony ever change tip when putting a new 15Kg roll on.

leaveing the welder on is fine, if it's burn back i normaly just take the grinder to the tip , then undo it. sod threading the wire through from the wire feed

 

[Robotstar5]

If it's welded the wire into the tip It's easiest to cut the wire in the box then stretch the cable out before you try to remove the tip or you are putting twists into the wire in the liner.

Haven't got time to do that with production welders & robots! never had a problem with twisted wire even in a 1 metre harness.

 

[pedrobedro]

I must be just unlucky then, I got a corkscrew in the swan neck on my old welder that's why I started cutting it.

 

[Robotstar5]

I must be just unlucky then, I got a corkscrew in the swan neck on my old welder that's why I started cutting it.

Just realised I'm thinking "industrial" using 1.0 & 1.6mm wire, smaller 0.6/0.8mm "hobby" wire might corkscrew as you say?

 

[Sparkey]

Haven't got time to do that with production welders & robots! never had a problem with twisted wire even in a 1 metre harness.

LOL i know what you mean! i would lose too much time with that!
A quick twist when you pull the trigger and off you go!