problem with sp100

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Hi guys .., I have a sp100 that is now starting to act up.  I'm welding light gauge stainless and for some reason the wire feed stops in the middle of a run.  What's wierd is I run about a 1.5 inch weld and then the feed stops.  The trigger is down but now wire feeds,  However if I let go of the trigger and press it again the feeds starts but stops.  Just last week I was welding mild steel and all went well.., but after changing to stainless I can't keep the wire feeding. Any ideas ?
Reply:Dunno, but sounds like a liner issue maybe.Clean and inspect it would be my first step if you have everything set up correctly.Semper FiJesus may have been a Carpenter, but his dad was a Millwright" A grinder and a can of paint, will make a welder what he aint' "I've done so much, with so little, for so long, that now I can do anything with nothing!
Reply:I presume the wire feed drive motor stops and not just the wire won't feed out of the gun.  If the drive motor continues to run but no wire feeds then as skelly521 indicated the liner would be the place to start looking as well as the gun tip.Is the SS wire the same diameter as the MS from last week?  If not, did you change the drive roll and gun tip for the correct SS diameter?Have you exceeded the unit duty cycle and the thermal protection has taken over?Is the cooling fan running?Have you checked the gun trigger lead connectors where they plug into the machine?Have you checked the board harness plugs J1 and J2 for being firmly connected?If you have a VOM, check for 24VDC at control board harness plug J1 cavities #2 and #6 with the unit on and idle (cooling fan must be running).If good, check for DC OCV (Open Circuit Voltage) at board harness plug J2 wire #203 (cavity #3) and wire #204 (cavity #4).  Actual voltage will depend on panel setting.Check for continuity between the gun trigger lead connectors with the trigger pulled with a VOM.Start there and let us know what you find.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:Found the problem guys.., the new SS spool was a bit wider then what I normally use and tightening the plastic holding screw as I welded causing the feed to lock up.  There must be a switch of some kind in the feed motor that clicks off if the feed gets stuck.  Anyway, put a washer under the plastic screw and the drag on the spool is perfect.  The only other issue I'm having is I can't seem to get enough heat into my work to get a nice smooth bead.  The little ol SP100 might not have enough power for 3/16ths.  I can weld .030 tube all day long, which what I bought this welder for back in the 90s.  But anything heavier it doesn't seem to have the umph.  Thanks for the help.  Any recommendation on a good small shop mig would be appreciated.  I've looked at the Miller 180 and 212.  Nice units !
Reply:Thanks for reporting back and I'm glad it was a simple fix.  Guess we always go for the more difficult/complex things out of habit.  We've even heard that one here before. MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!