I am sick of this! (mig feed problem)

Alex in Welderland - Tuesday, July 17, 2007 - 12:15pm

MIG | wire feed

O.k. I am just sick of this. I have spent the last 3 years trying to figure out my wire feed problem and I still haven't. It always starts out fine, smooth feed, even. Then after awhile it starts to get spitty, starts to be uneven, fits and starts. It no longer makes the pretty and perfect line it starts with.

This is what I have done to no avail:

Changed liner. (helped for awhile)
Changed tips. (helped for awhile)
Changed clamp. (helped for awhile)
Made sure all connections were solid, no loose areas that jam up the current as the welder gets hotter over time. (helped for awhile)
Tried different clamp locations. (helped for awhile)
Anti-spatter on the tip. (helped for awhile)
Changing the settings as the welder heats up. (nyet)

What the *@!#%@! am I missing? I would be done with my work in half the time if this wasn't happening.

I cannot remember a workday without a feed issue.

I so far have beat up my gun and my studio door today. That doesn't help so much.

I am hoping someone can clue me in. Pleeeaaasssee!

Thank you,
Alex

» Alex in Welderland's blog | add new comment

Gene Olson's picture

why ya spit

Gene Olson - Tuesday, July 17, 2007 - 1:58pm

I can see you have started.

Have you tried Duct tape yet?

Vi a duct?

Alex,
We missed you at the shindig.

On your welda, trying to find other things . . .

How about the drive rolls. How is the tension there, are they slipping.

Gene Olson
Sculptor
Elk River, MN

SteelyJan's picture

Try This????

SteelyJan - Tuesday, July 17, 2007 - 4:05pm

Hi Alex,
I bought a 110 mini mig to bring on jobs when I have to weld on site....all it did was drive me crazy!!!!!! It seemed that I didn't know how to weld. Very embarrassing when your on a job and your welder is spitting and jumping and being obnoxious! I brought it in to my local welding supply store and we figured out the gun connection wasn't tight enough. It was only slightly out at the inside connection. The tiny loss of gas was making the whole big deal. Try evrything and then bring it in for a check up. Good Luck Janet

Frank Castiglione's picture

(**&^%$#@ing MIG

Frank Castiglione - Tuesday, July 17, 2007 - 4:22pm

Hi Alex,
Here's a few things I do beside cursing. I polish the outer lens with scotchbright. Then I regularly clean this by removing crud with a fat rat-tail file avoiding the copper with the file but catching the crud with the file teeth, its quick and dirty.I use a cleaning device that rides the wire just past the drive wheels.If you have the machine cranked up to the max, watch out that you don't get the gun too close to the work.I use an OA torch cleaner quite frequently on the tip and grind any ferrous crap off the tip and bevel the tip end some.Try to keep any tight turns out of the guns line.Use the thickest wire your machine will take. Take a hammer and beat the living shit out of a piece of metal. Weld several of these together and sell the pure emotion. Works fer me!
Peace,eh?
Frank

Rick Crawford's picture

welding problems

Rick Crawford - Tuesday, July 17, 2007 - 7:31pm

Maybe you just got a bad roll of wire? I would try another roll, and if it acts the same, then I am not sure what to try next. (sorry, but I think you have tried about everything else I know about.)

Are you able to weld for a while ok, or not at all?

Maybe Valerie Rock will poke her head in here and help some. She seems to know WAY more than me.

good luck,
Rick Crawford at Smoky Forge

PeterG's picture

Alex I have had a similar

PeterG - Tuesday, July 17, 2007 - 7:32pm

Alex

I have had a similar problem before. It really drove me nuts. I had a tantrum one day and broke the end off the handpiece. After replacing it the problems ceased..... I guess sometimes losing your cool pays off.

Another problem I've found is rust on the feed wire. Just a small amout of rust on the wire builds up inside the liner over time causing jamming. If your welder sits in damp, humid areas, that could be an issue.

The only other suggestion I have is to clean up the wire drive mechanism. I assume you have tightened it to the point that the wire turns spagetti before it enters the liner.

Good Luck

PS If nothing works, replace the whole cable/handpiece. You will live longer and die happier.

Peter

visitor's picture

Alex, You don't say what

visitor - Tuesday, July 17, 2007 - 9:35pm

Alex,

You don't say what kind of welder you have. It would really help to know that, as different machines have different issues. I've had a couple of Lincoln units that gave me fits and I finally switched to a Miller that has been flawless. The only time it ever quit feeding was yesterday, and I had simply run out of wire. That was easy!

Tell me what machine you have what wire you're running, what gas, etc, and maybe i can offer some ideas. Without that info, it is only guesswork and generic answers.

Ries's picture

I, too, suspect the problem

Ries - Friday, July 20, 2007 - 10:40am

I, too, suspect the problem is you just have a cheap, worn out machine.
Tell us brand and model.

I betcha its 110volt- and until recently, those machines just never worked very well.
Plus, Lincoln, among others, was famous for selling a "discount" version at big box stores, with "improved" features like plastic drive wheels, no bearings, and many other cut corners.

A good new machine might be the answer.

Alex in Welderland's picture

Yes, I think it is time...

Alex in Welderland - Friday, July 20, 2007 - 12:17pm

Thanks everyone for the wonderful answers. I think I have to admit that it is time to go shopping. I used to have a big ol' 220 but had to downgrade to be able to work in a studio I was in.

It actually is a 110 Lincoln, bought from a big box store, (whose name I will not mention, because it always makes my skin crawl).

Um, now that I think about it, I am a bit self-conscious to admit that the machine is 12 years old, and, um, yes, I think it may be time...

Thanks again for all your help.

Alex

p.s Miller or Lincoln?

************
www.custompeturns.com
"a special place for a special pet"

Rich Waugh's picture

Miller. Definitely, Miller.

Rich Waugh - Friday, July 20, 2007 - 10:21pm

Miller. Definitely, Miller. I have had Llincoln, Miller and Airco, and Miller is the best. With one caveat: if your local dealer is only a LIncoln man, then get a Lincoln since he's the guy you're going to have to go to for parts and problems. But if you have a choice, get the Miller. And get the 220v machine. The 110 volt machines are for hobbyists, unless you get into the high-end inverter units.

Remember: At the end of the day, nobody says, "Hey, it's Lincoln time."

Bill Roberts's picture

FWIW I'm partial to Miller

Bill Roberts (not verified) - Saturday, July 21, 2007 - 7:43am

FWIW
I'm partial to Miller TOO. :)
Dos Centavos

Alex in Welderland's picture

Yes, I think it might be Miller time

Alex in Welderland - Saturday, July 21, 2007 - 12:06pm

I am going to give it a go. Switching to the blue...

Alex
************
www.custompeturns.com
"a special place for a special pet"

jbin's picture

Definitely Miller

jbin - Thursday, July 26, 2007 - 12:12am

Hi Alex,

I have one of those old Lincoln mini MIG units and it was never a stellar performer.
I am in love with my Miller Trailblazer, it is the nicest welder I have ever used.

Jim

Gene Olson's picture

lincoln

Gene Olson - Thursday, July 26, 2007 - 7:21am

My small 220V lincoln wirefeed seems to be holding up just fine. Was that the 110 version?

Gene Olson
Sculptor
Elk River, MN

Alex in Welderland's picture

Yep

Alex in Welderland - Thursday, July 26, 2007 - 11:50am

It is the 110. I need to save up some cashola for a new one. But I am looking forward to trying the blue!

Alex
************
www.custompeturns.com
"a special place for a special pet"

Frank Castiglione's picture

Good Choice

Frank Castiglione - Thursday, July 26, 2007 - 3:14pm

Hi Alex,
Good choice on deciding to buy a BLUE welder. If you would have chosen to purchase a RED welder I could, with a clear conscience, have congratulated you on that decision too. Both companies make a fine product, and the obvious rivalry between the two is a driving force behind the competitive pricing and constant evolution of their products.Pressure from some fine YELLOW machines sure doesn't hurt.I have a Lincoln 220V MIG, its over seven years old and I recently made over 250 small welds, at the highest setting,in the course of three hours. It never flinched.I wouldn't hesitate to buy a Miller though. That depends on the price and available service more than brand loyalty.
Peace,eh?
Frank

J.R. Tamayo's picture

Millermatic

J.R. Tamayo - Saturday, July 28, 2007 - 7:37am

Hey Alex, how ya doin

Dancer was made with a Millermatic 140 (110V). For the stuff you're making, it's power enough. I love my Miller.

J.R.

Gene Olson's picture

Power, yes,

Gene Olson - Saturday, July 28, 2007 - 12:58pm

Power, yes,
but stamina
that depends entirely on how much is done continuously.

DUTY CYCLE ratings are low on the 110 machines.

Ya gotta remember, that is only iron, wire, and fire
and we are talking about Alex here.
She's a
WOMAN
Double you
OOOOOOOOOOOOH - em aye en
let me tell you again . . . .
W - O - M - A - N

(with thanks to Kweskin and the band)

Gene Olson
Sculptor
Elk River, MN

visitor's picture

If I only had 110 volt,

visitor - Wednesday, March 26, 2008 - 9:46pm

If I only had 110 volt, which until late last year I did, I would get a Hobart Handler 140. I have this unit and have run at least 10 11 pound rolls in it. One issue, I lost the spring and nut on the feed wheel. When I replaced it, no more problems.

It is a USA made machine that is made very similar to the Miller.

Just my humble .02

visitor's picture

MILLER OR LICOLN

visitor - Wednesday, May 14, 2008 - 3:17pm

I'M A BIG FAN OF THE BLUE MACHINE. HAVE BOTH STICK AND MIG. LOVE THEM LIKE MY WIFE. ALWAYS DEPENDABLE.

Canaday Designs's picture

Personaly I dont care what

Canaday Designs - Friday, July 27, 2007 - 3:20am

Personaly I dont care what the color is
but
I've had a lincon 255, hated it
Just got rid of a miller 210, hated it
My buddy has a miller 250, we both hate it
i've got a miller pasport (inverter, goes 110 or 220), love it
and I have my trusty lincoln 200, love it, actually this is my second one the first was stolen (i could have shot someone that day)
oh ya and ive had and used numerouse 110v welders, only thing there good for is pissing you off
good luck Alex,
Matt

Alex in Welderland's picture

I am saving my pennies

Alex in Welderland - Saturday, July 28, 2007 - 11:07am

I think I might have to have a few more go-rounds with my old welder, but hopefully soon...

Alex
************
www.custompeturns.com
"a special place for a special pet"

Glen Jones's picture

Wore feed problems

Glen Jones - Monday, March 24, 2008 - 6:43am

Hi Alex,
Before you give up on the old red girl check the shaft that the spool sits on is not to worn.
I teach apprenticce classes of 13 students who are all welding at the same time and I have noticed this has been a hiden problem on old machines.

Cheers
Glen

Glen Jones's picture

wire feed problem

Glen Jones - Monday, March 24, 2008 - 6:47am

I dont know how I ended up on this page a year old but I did. So Alex do you still have the old MIg machine or did you trade it in?

Cheers
Glen

Nathan Logsdon's picture

hey Alex- cannot tell you

Nathan Logsdon - Monday, March 24, 2008 - 7:44am

hey Alex- cannot tell you how wonderful the miller passport is. 110 or 220- on board co2 for site work. Mine is over three years old and even though I had a problem with a faulty switch once it was fixed this machine just rocks! Contact your miller rep and get a shop demo- you will never go back.

moose's picture

Another thingto look at is

moose - Monday, March 24, 2008 - 4:43pm

Another thingto look at is how much wire is left on the spool. I have had issues with feed when the wire is getting low on the spool having a hard time coming off. I cure it by "SLIGHTLY" looseningthe retainer nut for the spool. Allows it to turn easier.

Tim
metalcraft by moose
Art to Automobiles

man of mettle's picture

lincoln works fine

man of mettle - Wednesday, May 14, 2008 - 3:27pm

i've had a lincoln mig for four years. works great. as for your problem - i would say it has to do with the tension. or perhaps the wire is in the wrong slot.

keith