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.