0 items in your basket
Total £ 0.00 EX VAT
Multi Process Welders
MIG Torches
TIG Torches
Welding Helmets
Welding Gloves & Clothing
MMA Electrodes
MIG Wire
Shop 55,000 Products
SERVICEDEPT.
RAPID BLOG
FEEDBACK
HIRE
Answers on choosing drive rolls, leads and clamps, torches and a trolley to go with a compact MIG welder.
Choose rolls whose groove size matches the wire diameter you will use. Rolls often carry two sizes, one on each side, so check the marking and fit the right one to the front.A common method is to release the tension fully, feed the wire against a block of wood while winding the tension up until the wire slips, then add a little more. Reset the tension whenever you change the rolls. Too little tension lets the rolls slip, while too much can deform the wire and shave debris into the liner. Always follow your machine manual.
Inspect the rolls each time you load a new spool. Grooves wear and lose grip, and the usual response of winding up the tension can crush the wire and clog the liner. Look for flattened or rounded grooves, debris built up in a knurled groove, loose or rough bearings, and rolls that slip even at correct tension. Wire that is marked or shaved is another warning.Feeding problems such as birdnesting, burnback or erratic arcs can also come from a clogged or wrongly sized liner, a worn contact tip, or a long, coiled cable, so rule those out before replacing rolls.
Choose leads and a clamp with enough current-carrying capacity for the machine's output. Cables should be thick enough to carry the current safely, and the clamp must make an efficient contact with the workpiece, because a poor contact can overheat and arc.Keep the return lead as short and direct as practical, and look for a clamp with good spring pressure and a clean copper contact. Check the rating marked on the cable and clamp against the data plate on your welder and your risk assessment.
Leads, connectors and holders should be checked at regular intervals for fitness for use, and damaged or worn parts should be repaired or replaced. A quick visual check for damage before each shift is good practice, and any fault should be reported. Do not tape over damaged insulation, and keep connections clean and tight.Use a holder that is insulated overall, so that no bare metal can be touched by accident. Do not rest a hot holder on flammable material. Check the rating marked on the holder against your machine.