Are all liners (just about) the same?

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Hello. I'm new to the wire feed thing so if this is stupid question you'll have to forgive me. I picked up a Snap-On YA212IND (CK Systematics) 250 MIG/TIG for a few bucks, and after replacing the control transformer, it seems like it is ready to weld... But I would like to test it under load before I put too much money into it. Unfortunatley it does not have a liner, and CK Systematics wants $30 for a new liner (they are pretty proud of most of the parts they sell). But I see other liners for sale for around $10.. So my question is, can I buy any generic liner (provided it is longer that the gun lead) and stuff it into the gun lead? Can I just visit the local welding shop and find one that is about the same O.D. and make it work? Thanks.Jeff
Reply:Welcome, Jnjpream  Most liners are basically the same; a Bowden cable conduit, with the ID sized to a particular electrode wire diameter. But... there are differences in the area of the "button" or seat, at the feeder end of the conduit.Try to take everything with you when substituting by match-up.Good LuckLast edited by denrep; 08-30-2009 at 11:27 AM.
Reply:Seems like alot hassle to go through just to save 20 bucks and you may not be happy with what you end up with.   I would just buy the correct liner for the gun and be done with it.If you plan on really using the machine alot, think about changing the whole gun out for a generic Tweco or Bernard or Tregaskiss gun that you'll be able to get parts for easily down the road.  You'll have to order it with the correct backend for your Snap-On machine, but both Bernard and Tweco make guns with alot of different style backends to fit most machines.Check out www.bernardwelds.comMM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:You can even contact HTP at www.htpweld.com.  They make up several gun configurations to fit various machine.  Great customer service.A few of my toys !LinuxMintManjaroMiller Roughneck 2E Lincoln WeldPak 100HTP MTS 160 Chicago Electric 80amp Inverter   Victor O/A