i might have to smash my mig with a big hammer

[F5 Dave]

OK so I'm a shitty welder. But my cheapo gasless mig has been bloody useful for gluing bits of metal together. Or shrinking steering head bearings or any number of bush projects. I farm out real welding jobs.

But the wire feed is infuriating. A driving shellwith a ball bearing pushed against it. The driven wheel has grooves and I subtly point punched some traction grooves. Then g clamp to gain further purchase on the wire. All of which improved things but now it just won't reliably drive the wire.

So do I buy another crap mig and expect 5 more years? For it to fail in the same way. Or is there some way to improve the wire feed?

[F5 Dave]

Oh yeah, and I don't really have the spare to invest in something decent for something I use once every two months.

[Katman]

So do I buy another crap mig and expect 5 more years?

Yes - it sounds like you're crap at what you do anyway.

[Motu]

It doesn't have have adjustable tension on the wire feed roller ?

[husaberg]

Have you tried any google suggestions
http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/wire-feed.htm
http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/sip-wirefeed.htm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqhRL0FgDVo

[Akzle]

learn to stick weld you pussy.






...or post pics and we can all over-engineer a solution for you.

[F5 Dave]

Here's a picture of the hammer I would use.

My old motor mower got it for being static.

Bah too hard to load. Might have to smash the tablet. . .

[Madness]

I'm assuming you won't be able to replace the torch liner but if you can, do so. Always go up one size in contact tip when using gasless wire as the gas helps cool the front end parts. Make sure your earth is connected to + too as incorrect polarity can cause the wire to burn back into the tip.

[F5 Dave]

Yes - it sounds like you're crap at what you do anyway.

Oh Steve. That would be so hurtful.

If you weren't such a colossal loser.

Loser.

[Katman]

Oh Steve. That would be so hurtful.

If you weren't such a colossal loser.

Loser.

I'm sorry, I must have mis-read you.

OK so I'm a shitty welder.

So do I buy another crap mig and expect 5 more years?

[F5 Dave]

Golly you're right husi, its the liner. I'll try see if I can replace it . Its pretty hard to pull the wire through even with the tensioner off.

[Ocean1]

Golly you're right husi, its the liner. I'll try see if I can replace it . Its pretty hard to pull the wire through even with the tensioner off.

Could be that it's not supposed to be replaceable. In which case, (if you can get the old one out) you may find a length of 4mm nylon pneumatic tubing will do the trick...

[Madness]

Once you have the liner sorted back the feeder tension off to minimum operable level so as to avoid filling the new liner with steel filings and improve tip life.

[jasonu]

Use liner lube and one of those tampons on the wire where it enters the liner (keeps the boogers out).
Cheap migs REALLY REALLY REALLY like a new tip.
Cheap migs REALLY REALLY REALLY like a decent earth lead. My mate replaced his with a HD jumper cable and it improved things immensely. Suspected wire feed problems can actually be down to a poor or too small earth lead.

5 years ain't bad out of a cheap mig. (depending on what you call cheap of course. You can get them here for less than $100) http://www.harborfreight.com/welding...x-welders.html

Don't be a Joo, buy a Miller or Hobart 150(ish) amp welder, get a bottle of gas and you will wonder why you didn't sooner.

[R650R]

Stop all this sexy welder talk.... just talked myself out of it awhile ago, my shed is only good for 10 amps on power supply end.... which rules out lof good welders....
Anyhiow found a local guy who does perk jobs very well at nice prices