MIG welding newbie - First attempt

[arceye]

Hobby weld cylinder is 2' 8'' including the handle / shroud part, by about 5 1/2" diameter.

I used to get my Co2 from a soft drinks / bar supply company just in the next town but they shut down and the only way to get it was to beg from pubs etc. Definately lasted longer than the hobbyweld but I've no complaints given the superior welding ability of the proper stuff, in an ideal world I'd have both.

[jpsh120]

So I got myself all set up this afternoon hoping to get the hang of it but the machine is not working correctly or so it seem. Almost every time the arc strikes the wire stops feeding so obviously it has been almost impossible to find the correct settings and lay some test welds. If I lift the nozzle and press the trigger again the wire feeds as normal, very frustrating! The wire tensioner seems to be ok and I have remembered to keep the cable as straight as possible to avoid tight corners etc. The wire is quite old and in places seems to have surface marks, perhaps a real of new wire would help?

I'm not blessed with patience at the best of times, I just want to get on with it!

[Willy Eckerslyke]

The wire is quite old and in places seems to have surface marks, perhaps a real of new wire would help?

Yes definitely. If the wire's starting to rust you'll be fighting it all the way. My own welder dislikes the smallest reels, giving a much smoother feed on the larger size. Also, unless it's been done recently, I'd suggest renewing the liner. It'll be cheap enough, but can make a huge difference.

[rich.]

whs.....

[jpsh120]

OK thanks chaps. I suspect the liner is at least as old as the wire so I'll get both changed ASAP.

Is mine likely to be a plastic or steel liner? Sealey Supermig 170.

[rich.]

ive got one of those, good luck.. i cant get parts for mine but apart from that its a good welder..
mine has a plastic liner.

[mr rusty]

Almost every time the arc strikes the wire stops feeding so obviously it has been almost impossible to find the correct settings and lay some test welds.

............could be that the wire feed speed is to low or you're not moving the gun fast enough so it's burning back straight away, your feed tension could be to low as well,try messing with the settings. Ddn't get downhearted, I've been welding old motors up for the past thirty years and still ain't quite got the hang of it...........

[arceye]

Only just caught up with this thread due to my daughter being admitted to hospital, Glasgow being the nearest place we can access what she needs meaning a bloody 13 hour round trip and not knowing if we are coming or going..... never mind, just didn't want anyone thinking I'd abandoned the thread or site.

All advice is good, new wire and liner a fine idea, definately play with wire feed, also worth checking the tension of the wire reel, and did you change the tip? My welder does exactly the same whenever the tip on the gun is ready for changing, also worth checking the tips are correct to the wire size.

Keep playing with it, when you crack the set up it will get more fun.

[Topaz]

Only just caught up with this thread due to my daughter being admitted to hospital, Glasgow being the nearest place we can access what she needs meaning a bloody 13 hour round trip and not knowing if we are coming or going..... never mind, just didn't want anyone thinking I'd abandoned the thread or site.

So sorry to hear that - 13 hours there and back must have been a nightmare. At times like this you realise that family comes first and everything else (even classic cars) doesn't really matter. I hope your daughter is soon back home and life can return to normal - whatever that is

Mike

[sierra3dr]

Almost every time the arc strikes the wire stops feeding

Mine was doing that the other week,I cleaned out the swan neck metal liner,it was clogged up with plastic shaving from the plastic liner.
I suspect jpsh120,that your mig is 2nd hand