RTech I-MIG 200 welding spatter issue

[Craig White]

Hello all,

I have an RTech I-Mig 200 single phase welder which has given us approx 3-4 years good service. Unfortunately it has reached the point where it can't be used as no matter how you set it up it produces evil spatter that sticks to anything steel in the vicinity. the weld quality & operation is fine but the spatter generated renders it unusable as it is uneconomical to spend the time despattering after welding.
Can anybody here offer an explanation as to a possible cause of this as I want to get it fixed but its hard to explain/prove to Rtech without shipping it down there again after it has already been back last year and was given a clean bill of health by their technician. the welder has sat in the workshop for the last 6 months due to the issue.
Thanks in advance.

 

[the snooper]

Have you tried different wire ?

 

[Craig White]

Just had a brand new reel of super 6 wire fitted, we are running the same wire on an SWP Proline without issue.

 

[mr migwire]

put a new liner in your torch lead, and a wee service of the feed rollers etc, should be good as new, i had the same issue with my first mig and it was a dirty liner causing the wire to stutter slightly which caused more spatter than usual.

and welcome to the forum...

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Welcome to the forum, Craig.

What gas/mix are you using?

 

[Craig White]

Thanks for the replies so far.
A new Parweld torch was fitted today along with a new bottle of Argon 5 gas. The roller system is a powerful 4 wheel set up that was cleaned when the welder went back to RTech with feed issues. These issues were diagnosed as a faulty fuse holder which was causing a sporadic break in the feed to the motor.

 

[roofman]

Thanks for the replies so far.
A new Parweld torch was fitted today along with a new bottle of Argon 5 gas. The roller system is a powerful 4 wheel set up that was cleaned when the welder went back to RTech with feed issues. These issues were diagnosed as a faulty fuse holder which was causing a sporadic break in the feed to the motor.

you sure its the argon 5 and not pure argon

 

[Appyasme1]

Should be Ar/Co2 mix

 

[Richard.]

super 6 wire fitted,

Have you always used this.
Have you tried it with some decent wire.
A reputable brand like oerlikon, esab, Lincoln etc.
My experience with S6 anything has never been that good.

 

[davidjohnperry]

I always thought wire was wire

 

[WorkshopChris]

My experience with S6 anything has never been that good.

I will second that Try some Lincoln wire.

 

[Appyasme1]

Have you always used this.
Have you tried it with some decent wire.
A reputable brand like oerlikon, esab, Lincoln etc.
My experience with S6 anything has never been that good.

I think we need to look from the solenoid,into the machine making sure the pressure is correct.Could try a pea shooter,give some idea of gas flow.I still think this is a gas problem

 

[Appyasme1]

Thanks for the replies so far.
A new Parweld torch was fitted today along with a new bottle of Argon 5 gas. The roller system is a powerful 4 wheel set up that was cleaned when the welder went back to RTech with feed issues. These issues were diagnosed as a faulty fuse holder which was causing a sporadic break in the feed to the motor.

Fuse Holder!

 

[Richard.]

I always thought wire was wire

Unfortunately not!
You'll notice a huge difference in consumable prices and this is down to a number of things.
Batch testing
Available data sheets
Quality of materials
Quality of manufacturing process
High tolerances on composition
High tolerance on cast and helix
Finally support.

Cheap Chinese consumables don't offer any of the above and while its copper coated solid Mig wire like the top line products the cost is reduced significantly because of the lack of costs involved like above.

 

[davidjohnperry]

fair enough I know we use Lincoln wire in work

 

[Appyasme1]

Unfortunately not!
You'll notice a huge difference in consumable prices and this is down to a number of things.
Batch testing
Available data sheets
Quality of materials
Quality of manufacturing process
High tolerances on composition
High tolerance on cast and helix
Finally support.

Cheap Chinese consumables don't offer any of the above and while its copper coated solid Mig wire like the top line products the cost is reduced significantly because of the lack of costs involved like above.

Thing also Richard,if you use .6 wire it won`t be PLW this could also be an issue

 

[Richard.]

Thing also Richard,if you use .6 wire it won`t be PLW this could also be an issue

What's PLW mate.

 

[Tom Orrow L]

What's PLW mate.

Precision layer wound

 

[Richard.]

Thanks Tom. Never heard it phrased as PLW before.

 

[Appyasme1]

Thanks Tom. Never heard it phrased as PLW before.

Thanks Tom. Never heard it phrased as PLW before.

Only .6.It comes of the reel like a fishing reel,all over the place.