O.7kg MIG spools

[DiogenesParticipant @diogenes]

Anyone have experience of reliable 0.7kg mig spools?

– I’m totally fed up with spending 1/2 hour cleaning-up badly moulded spools only to find that after all that, that the wire jams down the side and won’t feed.

I know the answer is to buy ‘pro’ spools, but they always go rusty before I use ’em up..

0.6mm M/S..

TIA

 

[bernard towersParticipant @bernardtowers37738]

I take mine off when not in use as I dont do much welding then store it in the airing cupboard.

[noel shelleyParticipant @noelshelley55608]

Like Bernard, I take the spool off when not in use. cheap feeding mechanism eg poor feed rollers and poor liners just make life hard. Noel.

[Mark RandParticipant @markrand96270]

Are you reusing the spools? I’ve never had issues with the original wrap of wire on plastic or wire framed spools, but rewinding them takes care (or equipment) to ensure an absolutely even wrap.

 

[DiogenesParticipant @diogenes]

Thanks all – no, not re-winding, but the feed mechanism isn’t ‘the gold standard’, I daresay – a bit plasticky) it does have a wire liner though and always seems to feed okay until some certain point at which inspection usually shows that the wire’s down the side of the spool.

I’ve had a couple of spools that tangibly ‘drag’ at some point when rotated by hand, I think it overpowers the pinch of the roller

I will re-investigate the feed mechanism and reel holder – buying a new roller is a good shout.

Thanks all

 

 

[Nick WheelerParticipant @nickwheeler]

Replacing the plastic liner can make a big difference to an older machine.

[Nicholas FarrParticipant @nicholasfarr14254]

Hi Diogenes, I don’t know what welder you have, but on most MIG welders there is an adjustable drag on the wire spool, and this should be adjusted just enough to stop the spool from free running, having it too tight can make the wire to get wedged at the sides.

Regards Nick.

[noel shelleyParticipant @noelshelley55608]

Nick has beat me to it ! If the reel is too free running you will get loose turns, you need JUST enough drag to stop this BUT not somuch as the feed rolls loose their grip. If you have a wire liner try blowing it out with an air line metal and rust particles will clog the sides. .6 wire on a poor feeder is not good, even my BOC autolynx has to be in top order for this wire. Have you tried using .8 wire ? You may need a .8 liner, or try a teflon one. A slightly fouled contact tip will also cause trouble. Good luck. Noel.

[DiogenesParticipant @diogenes]

Problem solved!

Cleaned up gluey label residue from the spool cheeks.

..and then cleaned & checked the roller – oily! – how can it be oily ? – from the leaky shielded bearing above it of course!

*SIGH*

Fixed.

 

 

 

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