MIG wire problems

admin

With all the humidity here latly it has caused my wire to corrode a bit and now its not feeding smoothly and is really pissing me off. Is there something I can do short of removing the spool daily and putting it someplace dry. I dont use it every day but when I do I want it to work like it should. The welder is a Millermatic 252 and last time I used it I had to strip about two layers of wire off to get it to feed half way decent. Thanks for the help. James
Reply:If you don't use it every day, then dry storage is definitely a good idea. I use large zip-lock bags or 4 mil poly bags. Even better, throw a fresh bag of silica gel in the bag with the wire.Rusty wire will clog your liner and give you feeding problems even after you remove the bad layers. Better not to let it happen in the first place.JohnA few weldersA lot of hammersA whole lot of C-clamps
Reply:If you have rust on your wire then it will mess up the liner and generally make a mess of the feed rollers with the rust going everywhere.You need to go back to Clean wire unfortunately Once tyou get to the clean wire, keep it clean by taking the wire off and storing it somewhere warm, You could put it in a plastic zip bag with those little white bags you sometimes get to stop rust i forgot what its called. Falling that take the wire home and store it indoors, i know its a hassle but you can't change the weather can you and at least your welding and welder will improve.Just found out they are called Silica Gel, Those bags are pretty cheap, just throw a hand fill in the bag before putting your wire inYou can buy them from ebay http://www.ebay.com/itm/100-packs-1-...item4d0844408bLast edited by Gerry1964; 01-13-2013 at 01:02 PM.
Reply:I think recommended storage for a MILLER 252 is in the bed room when not in use.
Reply:Originally Posted by BD1I think recommended storage for a MILLER 252 is in the bed room when not in use.
Reply:Originally Posted by docwelderidk how the wife would take to sleeping in the garage though? seriously, i remember seeing a square of felt of some sort mounted just after the rollers but before going into the liner that had some kind of inert chemical on it  that cleaned the wire. this was a factory installation that came with the machine. if i remember correctly it was on a hobart micro-wire machine.
Reply:What about just wrapping the wire in a dry towel when not in use? I'd hate to take it out of the machine every time.
Reply:Install a small light bulb in the wire cabinet, turn it on at night when there is a chance of dew. Doesn't need to be much, 10w ought to do it.
Reply:Get some cling-wrap, like you use in the kitchen.  When not using the machine, wrap the spool with the cling wrap with a few silica packs inside.  When ready for use, just unwrap the spool.  Either replace your silica packs every once in a while, or dry them out in your oven, or by leaving them on or near a heater register... if you have forced air heating.  If you already have rust in your liner, maybe try some Fluid Film... IDK, I have never had this problem, but I would much rather have some Fluid Film on my wire than a petroleum based lubricant.Check out my channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkz...bZg8AYNXGqBjZQ"Both oligarch and tyrant mistrust the people, and therefore deprive them of arms." - Aristotle
Reply:Alright guys thanks for the help. May try the small light bulb to use when I am working on some small projects and am using the welder more often and probably just take it of and store it in the utility room when not planning on using it for a while.JamesMillermatic 252 in the shopMiller Bobcat on a trailer for the feild repairs around the ranch.Mostly weld on equipment or pens around the ranch.