Frustrated with wire feed on Lincoln.

**torqueman** · 07-12-2009, 05:41 PM

Yes I have one of those low end consumer grade Lincoln's with the NASCAR logo they sold to people like me that don't know how to weld.

But all in all the thing has been working for me (as long as it is not over 16 gauge.)

Maybe you guys can give me some tips. The problem is the wire feeds just fine when you run though without doing anything. The minute I attempt to weld with it things get jammed up at the feed end. I don't feel any resistance or rough spots at that end.

I would kiss an ugly girl for a LS-200P but for right now I am stuck with this one (or go over to Gadgets house and borrow his TIG which I may have to do if I can't get the feed to work.)

**Gadget** · 07-12-2009, 05:47 PM

torqueman,
Bring argon, I'm almost out.

**torqueman** · 07-12-2009, 06:02 PM

Well I sure won't be needing this tank if I can't get the wire sorted out. I think it might be the tip but it sure does not feel like anything is getting stuck at that end.

**Gadget** · 07-12-2009, 06:08 PM

I think I would replace the tip first thing and see how that works. If you have any drag at all it will increase with current flow I think.
Dan

**arandall** · 07-12-2009, 08:02 PM

Torqueman:
I used to have a small "MigMate" welder that had a poor wire feed setup. It just didn't seem to have a reliable wire feed - worked fine sometimes - then erratically others.
A friend heard me whining about it, and told me to try knurling the feed rollers. - I did it by removing the rollers, and lightly tapping the edge of a three-cornered file into their grooves, rotating them slightly with each tap of the hammer - - A bit crude maybe, but the wire sure fed better.

Cheers,
Art R.

**torqueman** · 07-12-2009, 08:03 PM

It is steel wire and I have reseated the liner end many times. I just can't get things any more tight. I bought everything that was supposed to be for that wire size. Birdcaging is a great term as that is what it looks like when I pull it out. What seems so weird is it has no problems feeding until I try to weld with it. The only thing I can think of is the tip is making the wire stick once current is applied.

To be honest I don't really know how to tell when a tip needs replacement. This one is old in years but not in use. My guess is it has had 6 lbs of wire through it or so. Of course my technique may not be conducive to long tip life either.

**torqueman** · 07-12-2009, 08:08 PM

Thanks for the suggestion Art. It seems to feed almost too well as it will bunch up after the rollers. However it works fine when not welding. Only when I weld does it start to birdcage after the rollers. I've never had a problem with until this last week or so.

**matteh99** · 07-12-2009, 08:26 PM

My dad had trouble feeding wire with his mig welder a while ago. It turned out to be dirty wire brining in crap and gumming up inside the feed tube. He has a little felt thing on the wire that gets soaked in some sort of cleaner. It has helped a lot. It did take quite a while for the problem to show up.

I don't know why it would only have issues when you were welding but it is something to check.

Eric

**torqueman** · 07-16-2009, 07:04 PM

Originally Posted by matteh99

My dad had trouble feeding wire with his mig welder a while ago. It turned out to be dirty wire brining in crap and gumming up inside the feed tube. He has a little felt thing on the wire that gets soaked in some sort of cleaner. It has helped a lot. It did take quite a while for the problem to show up.

I don't know why it would only have issues when you were welding but it is something to check.

Eric

Ding Ding Ding we have a winner. 100% right on the mark. Points go to Eric.

Looking closely at the wire it was darker color than one would expect. It was nearly gone so a new spool of wire fixed it right up.

Now for my confession. I have a large spool of wire that will not fit in my welder. So I am winding wire from the larger spool to the smaller spool. So the wire at the end of the smaller spool was the outside wire on the larger spool that was oxidized.

Mystery solved and we are back to getting the forge finished. Thanks everyone for the suggestions. And Dan gets no free argon this week.