steveo3002
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ive got a clarke 90 that gets once in a while , still in the original tip
what do i look out for to tell me i need a new tip
what do i look out for to tell me i need a new tip
- Thread starter steveo3002
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Tips are usually changed because there is something wrong with them, like wire sticking because of spatter around the tip, or obvious damage to the tip through abuse. Sometimes they wear excessively, so don't transfer the current properly, giving stops and starts of the arc and poor laying down of the weld bead.
Generally, if it's doing the job okay, carry on using it. If you suspect problems, it's probably the easiest and cheapest thing to change to find out if that was the cause.
Some of us who are just tight even carefully file down spattered or worn tips, to give them a new lease of life...
Generally, if it's doing the job okay, carry on using it. If you suspect problems, it's probably the easiest and cheapest thing to change to find out if that was the cause.
Some of us who are just tight even carefully file down spattered or worn tips, to give them a new lease of life...
steveo3002
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i do get a fair amount of sticking , but that might be more my user error?
i have cleaned it up a few times already , get the odd lump of splatter on it etc
i have cleaned it up a few times already , get the odd lump of splatter on it etc
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For what they cost, it's worth fitting as new one
Wire sticking can be caused by the wire speed being a bit low, where it burns back to the tip, or where the tip is held too close to the job. But if you were welding okay on the same wire settings before the problem started, change the tip, as Robotstar5 says.
I generally have several tips along just in case, swop them over if they get spattered, and do a check and clean-up after the job is finished. I use flux-core quite a bit, which tends to spatter more anyway.
I generally have several tips along just in case, swop them over if they get spattered, and do a check and clean-up after the job is finished. I use flux-core quite a bit, which tends to spatter more anyway.
roofman
Purveyor of fine English buckets and mops
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get yourself a tin of anti-spatter spray mate and spray into the shroud before you start welding...puts an oily film on the shroud and tip and really helps with metal blobs sticking to the consumables,i use the stuff from BOC and its great
Dips usually last longer than sprays, and this stuff is pretty good:
http://www.weldequip.com/spatter-shield.htm
But my welding mate always carries a pot of vaseline in the van, a big pot for £1 from the £1 shop. Need to dip more often, but very cheap.
Mmm, nice.
http://www.weldequip.com/spatter-shield.htm
But my welding mate always carries a pot of vaseline in the van, a big pot for £1 from the £1 shop. Need to dip more often, but very cheap.
Mmm, nice.
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I thought Vaseline was also known as Petroleum jelly, is it flammable?
pedrobedro
Man at Matalan
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I'd be reluctant to get into a van with anyone who carries a large pot of Vaseline, even if it's labelled petroleum jelly 
Puts a whole new spin on "tip dip" 
Puts a whole new spin on "tip dip" 
Lawnmowerboy
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hehe oh you dirty ****** you
"I'd be reluctant to get into a van with anyone who carries a large pot of Vaseline"
Yes, got me worried a bit to start with. Particularly as he kept it with the rubbish on the dash rather than with the welding kit. I didn't like to ask what it was for...
Anyway, it seems to work okay for dipping the mig tip in, so long as it's warm, but not real hot. Dipping cold to start is a big no-no, you get a shroud full of jelly...
It sizzles a bit, but never seen it flame up. Works okay as anti-spatter for the tip and shroud, but I wouldn't want to smear it on the work. Have to give it a flick to check there's none inside the shroud, too, or you might get it dropping down onto the job.
Prefer the proper stuff, but, if all else fails, there's always the vaseline...
Yes, got me worried a bit to start with. Particularly as he kept it with the rubbish on the dash rather than with the welding kit. I didn't like to ask what it was for...
Anyway, it seems to work okay for dipping the mig tip in, so long as it's warm, but not real hot. Dipping cold to start is a big no-no, you get a shroud full of jelly...
It sizzles a bit, but never seen it flame up. Works okay as anti-spatter for the tip and shroud, but I wouldn't want to smear it on the work. Have to give it a flick to check there's none inside the shroud, too, or you might get it dropping down onto the job.
Prefer the proper stuff, but, if all else fails, there's always the vaseline...
