Millermatic 130 problem

I bought it of a family member awhile back and have finally set it up to use it. Its having trouble feeding the wire smoothly. I've changed the tip and fiddled with the tension spring and am having no luck. Any ideas?

 

outer sheath got kinked at some point or crushed. try feeding wire by hand and feel resistance. knurled knob that feeds wire worn.

 

I'll check when I make it to the shop. It should be on the smooth grove right? Thanks!

 

Make sure the wing nut that holds the wire spool in place isn't too tight but just barely tight enough to keep the wire from turning into the birds nest type of mess you get when you make a bad cast with an open fishing reel.

It may be time for a new liner. They get built up with crud over time and don't feed well even if you keep the welding lead perfectly straight. http://www.millerwelds.com/parts/popup.php?p=/parts/photos/194010.jpg

 

Darn...Millermatic, thought it was gonna be a beer thread!! LOL

 

OK so I can pull the wire through with not much effort but it feels like is catching every little bit. Also as I'm feeling the the wire there is some rough spots. Corrosion? Could this be the problem?

 

possibly, or the tensioner is to tight deforming the wire

 

If it's an older spool of wire it sounds like it may have some rust spots on it. Pick up a new one and see how it goes. Should be better unless the liner is loaded up too.

 

There's the issue. If you don't use the welder much, stick with the 3 pound spools. Blow out the liner before you run the new wire into it. Might save you from buying a new $20 liner too.

 

Ok. So do I need anything to switch it to the 3# spool?

 

I'm pretty sure the spools are universal but look at the hole in the big spool you have now to judge the size. I have a Hobart Handler 135 and it has a plastic hub piece that you install on the welder for one spool and remove it for the other.

While your shopping, pick up some extra tips to match your wire size and I'm a big fan of spatter guard spray. I spray the tip as well as what I'm welding and my tips stay clean longer. I use the flux core wire since a lot of what I weld is out in the wind and I believe it's a bit messier than using gas for shielding.

 

I have a little Lincoln setup with flux core. Figured this would be better than that in the shop for the little stuff. I'll check out the spray sounds like good stuff.

Thanks!

 

Bret Hart has pegged it. If you were running that spool through it for a while, I'd swap out the liner just to be sure. Cheap preventative maint.
Little spools are usually 2lb. for the ER70S
A small tub of "tip-dip" will last a long time and extend the life of your nozzles.
Anti-splatter spray is nice, especially with flux-core.

 

Already have the tip dip, remembered that from school. I didn't run it much. Kinda hard to use with it not feeding right. I don't know how long it sat before I got it but its been in the corner of the shop for around 18 months.

I was just going to get a new spool and try it. If it didn't run well replace the liner. Between 3 welders I should be able to have one running if I need one.

 

Its just like rods you need to keep them dry.

 

Get rid of the rusty wire put a new roll on and blow out the liner.

 

Check your rollers there's groved might be installed wrong.

 

Blew out the liner & with a new spool of wire she's running fine.

Thanks!