Spool tightens up

[Andyy]

Hi
when using my sip mig welder almost all the time the tensioner for the wire spool seems to tighten by itself which is very annoying does anyone have any idea what the problem could be.
Andy

 

[R Kraft]

Usually Sips need to feed wire counter clockwise, so you need to put your wire spool on the other way around.
Robert

 

[Andyy]

Would that mean feeding it from the top rather than the bottom.
Andy

 

[R Kraft]

Just so that the drag of the spool turning against the tensioner would loosen it instead of tightening it.
Robert

 

[malcolm]

I think I'd prefer if it tightened. If it went loose you'd end up with a load of tangled wire. I'm guesing you still have the spring and washer. Only ask as I've lost mine and a bit of cardboard tube just doesn't work.

I think BChild gets around the issue on his by using a nylon washer between the metal washer and the reel.

It is common practice for every other welding machine to have a flat machined into the threaded bit, and a washer that locates in the flat to stop it from turning. The same could be achieved with an angle grinder and a blob of weld on a washer.

 

[BChild]

I think I'd prefer if it tightened. If it went loose you'd end up with a load of tangled wire. I'm guesing you still have the spring and washer. Only ask as I've lost mine and a bit of cardboard tube just doesn't work.

Yeah I tried running it the other way luckily I only birdsnested 0.5kgs of wire

I think BChild gets around the issue on his by using a nylon washer between the metal washer and the reel.

Yep and I chopped a coil of the spring - worked much better - as std it had so much tension on the spool just trying to get the thumbwheel in against the spring pressure

It is common practice for every other welding machine to have a flat machined into the threaded bit, and a washer that locates in the flat to stop it from turning. The same could be achieved with an angle grinder and a blob of weld on a washer.

Why didn't I think of that!!!




Oh I remember bloody welder wouldn't weld!!!

 

[Andyy]

I think I have fixed my problem, I cut a groove along the spool holder with a junior hacksaw blade then tapped out a small nick on the washer that holds on the spool with the spring and screw and I just watch how I put on the spool and thats it. It seems to be working so far.

Andy