replacement mig cable skins- ?

admin

I have a used mig/tig/stick welder someong gave me (mid-states tri-arc 160)It has a rip in the thin rubber skin that covers the cable running up to thegun.  Is this skin a generic material common in size to most or many Mig'sthat would easily available that I might just install a new one down the wholelength of the cable ??????????????????????????????????????????????????  ????(stick welded for many years but this is my first mig/tig owned) Also it seems to have a very simplistic tig setup.  The tig torch appairentlyuses the innert gas to cool the torch and there is no remote for the gas or the welding current.  Are there strap-on type post flow timer units I couldadd in to reduce gass waste??????  And maybe a remote power switch and a matching contactor?????????????????????????????????????????  ????????????Any thoughts ????????Tim- looking forowatd to using it !
Reply:You can get a special nylon or a leather sleeve to cover the hose. I got one that is 21' long for my tig leads, and with my new torch... it came with a leather sleeve. They are not cheap; the nylon one I got cost like $60. It is not regular nylon... heat resistant stuff. As for the gas thing, you can wire in a solenoid to start/ stop the gas flow, but I am not the guy to ask on that. Try to use the SEARCH function, look for  "gas solenoids" you should come up with something. It has been discussed here before. I just can't remember when!!And then, after so much work...... you have it in your hand, and you look over to your side...... and the runner has run off. Leaving you holding the prize, wondering when the runner will return.
Reply:Rojo :   Thanks for the reply !The "skin"  i was refering to is the outer neoprene sheath on the mig cable.On this machine ( I don't know about modern ones) that is the path forthe CO2 to get to the mig gun.   With that ripped in two you don't get ANYgas out at the nozzle.   The welding supply stores said they only sold thewhole cable/gun assembly or the spiral steel cable which guides the wire.I checked the largest hose supplier in town (maybe in the state..)  butthey had nothing that thin.  I ended up getting an automotive heater hosebut an all silicone version (very expensive)  which seems much less rigidthan the regular black stuff.  It was about twice as thick as the old rottenstuff.  I had to make a new gun body to accomidate the bigger O.D. hose.I don't know how this silicone will hold up to hot sparks.  I guess I will befinding out.  I all most looked like I could have used bicycle inner tubeexcept It would not have been long enough.. !Surgical tube would have been nice and lite and flexible but it dry rots quickand isn't very durrible.  There must be something closer out there !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Tim !
Reply:Well, a Tweeco replacement gun is only about $120, with a new 12ft. hose on it. So it's not too far of a leap to just toss the old one. That's what I did, when mine went into a spinning driveshaft while welding.( Don't ask!!!  )And then, after so much work...... you have it in your hand, and you look over to your side...... and the runner has run off. Leaving you holding the prize, wondering when the runner will return.
Reply:i ran into the same problem and have been keeping my eye open.how about an plain garden hose.Ace hardware has a 25 foot hose for 10 dollars seems stiff enough yet pliable enough for the job.it wont be heat resistant, but your old one probably wasnt either.millermatic200econtotwin
Reply:I would repair the rip using cyanocrylate glue and black plastic electrical tape. The type of glue I'm talking about is the better stuff available from Radio Control model hobby stores in oz. bottles. There is also a hardening agent called usually "zip-kicker" that is good to have. Just use the glue to hold the tape in place and wind it while the tape is still wet with glue. That will make a gas-tight seal. I repaired a burned TIG water hose and it lasted another 12 years until I traded the machine off. In the alternative, get a new torch and protect it from the beginning.Miller Millermatic 252Miller Syncrowave 200Liincoln AC-DC 225Victor O-A Set
Reply:Hey Phipham ... !I replaced mine using silicone heater hose (automotive).  Kind of heavybut works fine.  Kind of expensive too.  Naturaly after I did it I saw abetter way. !!!!!!!!!!!!   My cable has a small brass tube at the gun and at the welder end of the cable.  This is about the correct size for weed whackerfuel tubeing or similar.   Just spiral it down the cable.  I also found someold electrical insulation that would have worked perfectly over it.  It is ahigh tempature type used on heaters and ovens.  It has a fiberglass weaveon the inside and a thin (.020 inches??) silicone skin on the outside.  It wouldhave worked fine.   If the welder works great down the road I may re-doit that way.  The heater gose is like Marlon Perkins werstleing the Anaconda!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I bought the insulation several years ago at an electronics surplus storehere in town. (I only had 5 feet)   I will check next time I'm there to see ifthey still have it.  I think it is 5/8 ID.TimPS  --- the drive shaft reminds me of the time (I was 13) when I ran overabout 40 feet of barbed wire with the riding mower !   Didn't hurt me butit was a bitch getting off the blades !