MySwag.org The Off-road Camper Trailer Forum
General => General Discussion => Topic started by: achjimmy on March 29, 2015, 09:56:46 AM
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Swaggers i learnt to weld as a fitter, never classed myself as a welder or boilermaker but could make things stick.
Having trouble at present and as bad as I may of become Iam sure its not me.
I have an old 160amp esab mig. Last year having issues feeding wire I put a new liner in and it was as good as new. Used it recently and it seems to splutter and carry on like a bad earth. I re did the earth clamp but still no good. Below is full 160amps on 5 mm plate, again it spluttered and did get that consisentcy also I would expect a lot more penetration on black plate for 160amp? The other shots are full amps on 1.6-2mm gal it just came away like it never welded it!!! I even ground a bit of gal back and no good. 160amps should blow through 2mm like no tomorrow? I know it's always better to remove gal first but still it usually blocks nozzles more than doesn't weld?
So I am presuming I am not get full amps? The wire is old but is not rusty. I removed a layer anyway but no good. It doesn't have that shiny new copper look though?
Is bad wire likley to cause this? I guess I'll go get a new roll and try it for the $30 but Iam thinking this is more than wire?
Welcome any thoughts.
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not a qualified welder either mate, but if your mig wire doesnt have that shiney look to it then it will be sticking inside your wire feed liner. had problems once with my mig and i swapped my old dull wire for new stuff and away it went.
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I'm a lot more of a grinder than a welder ;D - is the polarity correct for gasless/gas wire?
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Its quite possible the rectifier has a blown diode. Barnray
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Thanks all. it's an oldie and doesn't have any settings for change polarity etc.
barnray I recall getting something fixed in it 20 years ago. "Bridge rectifier " comes to mind. Problem is the chassis is rusted and inside its looking very very old, might be time for a new one?