Welder Feeding Issues

[drew02a]

The Chicago Electric (Harbor Freight) welder I got from Andy has been having issues erratic feeding speed since I welded on Brians sliders a couple years ago. Since it's mine now, I figured I should probably spend the small amount of money it takes to get it back to acceptable operation status.

The wire feed liner that came with it is made entirely out of plastic. I'm told it's a wearable part anyway, so hopefully the new hobart one I ordered will fix the issue.

Thoughts?

 

[PSU Taco85]

Check the spool tension and the drive roll tension. Other than that maybe the drive motor could be bad but hope that's not the case. The liner is a cheap part to replace

 

[tx_shooter]

The best answers have already been given: check tension and buy a good one. I always had shitty luck with crappy welders.

 

[garzanium]

make sure the tip is clean. when the bronze tip gunks up, the speed varies. I use nozzle dip- it helps keep the tip clean, but I do have to often remove it and clean it or replace the bronze tip all together.

 

[SecretSquirrel]

I had similar issues & replaced the entire gun/cable, since my gun was electrical taped together. The liner should fix your issue

 

[drew02a]

Buy a good welder.........problem solved.

Yeah... if money grew on trees

Is the liner/gun actually replaceable? Pretty much nothing on my harbor freight unit is serviceable. Mine had issues with the line popping out of the drive wheel that would randomly stop the feed mid weld.

I'm not sure it's suposed to be serviceable, but I'll make it happen. If not, I'll just buy a new gun for it. I got it for cheap so putting on some new parts is worth a shot.

I had similar issues & replaced the entire gun/cable, since my gun was electrical taped together. The liner should fix your issue

My gun was/ will also ge electrical taped together,

 

[Silverback]

Yeah, they have pretty much hit everything on the head. I'd say its either in the gun, replace the tip, check the line tension. Also make sure the feed rollers are appropriate for your wire diameter. Maybe pull the welder a little further away to get a straight shot with the cable.. less curves = less friction.

 

[drew02a]

Yeah, they have pretty much hit everything on the head. I'd say its either in the gun, replace the tip, check the line tension. Also make sure the feed rollers are appropriate for your wire diameter. Maybe pull the welder a little further away to get a straight shot with the cable.. less curves = less friction.

Already tried using new tips, and changing the angle and distance to make it a straight shot to my work with no luck

 

[jdmcq]

I had the same issue with my Miller. Erratic feed speed and inconsistent arc. Replaced the feed rollers and liner, problem solved.

 

[drew02a]

Cool, I'll do rollers if the liner doesn't fix the issue

 

[taco4x4rar]

Something that would be incrediblely help full would be to change the whole liner/gun to the tweco style that Hobart/miller use. The gun is much more ergonomic any you can get replacement parts almost everywhere.