Wire feed problem

[6thdude]

Hi guys,
I'm enjoying the site!!
My MIG welder has developed a bit of a feed problem, I've changed tips and sworn at it but I'm a little confused?
Someone suggested renewing the lining which I've just had a look at but is this a likely cause and how do you get the new lining in?? It a tight fit! I've not pulled the old one out yet.
Anyone got any ideas?

Thanks
jim

 

[malcolm]

Hi Jim, welcome to the forum.

I guess the wire lining could be the problem if you've been running rusty wire. Before you do that - if it's a cheapish welder it may be worth looking at the alignment of the rollers that feed the wire. Often the support for the upper roller is just a thin metal bar, and it can bend so only the inner part of the top roller is in contact with the bottom roller, and the bit that is supposed to touch the wire doesn't. I've had to do a little tweaking (bending of shafts) in the past. Also rust on the wire stops the roller from gripping, so if the wire is rusty then it might make sense unwinding a layer till you get to good wire and trying it again.

Otherwise, I'm pretty sure the wire feed liner can be replaced in a euro torch cord but not in other types of cord. How to replace it I don't know, but I'd guess that it would be useful to thread a bit of wire through the liner, pull the liner out, then attach the wire to the end of the new liner to pull it through.

 

[6thdude]

Thanks for the advise, I'll put a warm coat on and go have a look at my rollers. The reel of wire is about a month old and in frequent use so shouldn't be too rusty. The machine is a clarke hobby turbo job.
What's a euro type welder? I've seen that term used a lot.
Jim

 

[malcolm]

Euro is a standard for the torch and cord. The cord attaches to the welder by means of a euro fitting which is a quick release. It's handy mostly because replacements are cheap and easily available. A replacement torch and cord for your Clarke would be about £75 from Machine Mart and you would have to take all the covers off the welder to fit it.

I would be surprised if that is your problem though. I have a Clarke, and my wire liner has been abused - driven over, burned through, broken, shortened etc. You caqn rule yours out by releasing the roller, slackening off the spring on the wire reel, then pulling a bit of wire out of the torch by hand. If it's reasonabaly free and doesn't cut through your fingers then the problem is elsewhere.

 

[6thdude]

Hi malcolm,
Success!! I brought a new liner (£3), looked at it then decided not to bother! The old one seemed to have less resistance than the new one! douh. ops:
I stripped all the parts related to wire feed and gave them a good clean and light greasing. The result, welding like a beauty!
All ways the simple things aye?
Thanks for the advise
jim