wondering if anyone can help on my welder

[handirifle]

I have a Campbell Hausfeld MIG that I got new 10 years ago. Yesterday the feed motor started acting erratic. Normal speed then real slow. Oddsbon the motor or the control being bad? Any close on troubleshooting?
thanks

 

[LD1]

I have a Campbell Hausfeld MIG that I got new 10 years ago. Yesterday the feed motor started acting erratic. Normal speed then real slow. Oddsbon the motor or the control being bad? Any close on troubleshooting?
thanks

Are you sure it is actually the feed motor???

or are you just judging it by the wire you see comming out the tip??

Because if the liner inside the torch starts to gum up or wear out, they will get finnickey. I know that is the case on my mig, if I am working close to the welder, and the cord is coiled up on the floor, it will have feed issues. But moving farther away from the welder, and keeping it as straight as possible solves the prolem.

 

[handirifle]

Just judging by wire speed. No educated reason. Will the inside of the copper tip get gummed up?

 

[Festoolification]

Before replacing the liner it might be worth trying another / new reel of wire - some welders are picky about old wire with any corrosion on the wire itself.

 

[handirifle]

The wire was a fairly recent purchase (flux core) not sure how long it was on the shelf but no visible corrosion that I see. I have welded a ton from this spool and it just started acting up. What core are you talking about? Do you mean in the main line from the unit to the handle? Sorry if my terms are incorrect.

 

[Transit]

I have a Campbell Hausfeld MIG that I got new 10 years ago. Yesterday the feed motor started acting erratic. Normal speed then real slow. Oddsbon the motor or the control being bad? Any close on troubleshooting?
thanks

You may want to check out two welding videos on Northern Tool, one is for MIG and the other is for Flux core. Both show the setup and the action at the arc and much, much more.

 

[Festoolification]

The wire was a fairly recent purchase (flux core) not sure how long it was on the shelf but no visible corrosion that I see. I have welded a ton from this spool and it just started acting up. What core are you talking about? Do you mean in the main line from the unit to the handle? Sorry if my terms are incorrect.

Well that most likely rules that one one out, LD1 was refering to the main torch cable assembly through which the wire is fed - see if it makes any difference with it pulled straight.

There's some info here on testing feed resistance by hanging a weight from the wire and taking the tension off the feed rollers.

Replacing a Wire Liner - SIP Migmate, Topmig and Cosmo

 

[Rustyiron]

Like others have said, could be the liner. Watch the motor and drive assy. turn and observe for speed changes. If you see a consistant speed (with the drive assy) while the wire spool changes speed, it's an issue from there on out to the stinger.

 

[rankrank1]

Like others have said, could be the liner. Watch the motor and drive assy. turn and observe for speed changes. If you see a consistant speed (with the drive assy) while the wire spool changes speed, it's an issue from there on out to the stinger.

X2. Lift the cover and see if the roller wheel turns a consistent speed when the the trigger is pressed.

If yes:
a) The problem could be the screw on tip, but that is easy to check. Unscrew and see if it slides over the wire freely. replace or clean as needed - these are like a dollar item.
b) More than likely, it is the liner that runs inside inside your gun lead. Once you get the liner out it is similar in appearance to a throttle cable on a vintage push mower - continuouswrapped coils of steel. Universal Tweeco ones are available from any welding supply house for under $20 and you simply cut them to length. Note there will be different diameters of liners based on the size of your welder you welder can burn.

 

[yomax4]

You got 10 years out of it? I think it's RIP.