LN-25 birdnesting problem

admin

I run .045 flux cored wire with carbon and stainless on 90% of my welding jobs. On the rare times I need to use .035 hard wire,I spend a lot of time fixing bird nesting problems.Any suggestions.
Reply:I don't know on the LN25, but on the 180c its a different drive roll the liner is different, but you may be able to use the .045, I just don't knowhopefully some one  a LOT more knowledgeable will come along and answer your questionfred-- fredLincoln 180C MIG
Reply:Welcome to the forum tankman1905.Do you change to V groove drive rolls with the solid wire?  If you do, reduce your drive roll tension and check to make sure the contact tip is good.  Drive rolls should slip if the wire hangs up or is otherwise restricted from free feeding.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:I change to V groove drive rolls and I reduce the tension to the point  that the rolls start slipping. When I tighten the drives enough to push the wire, it birdnest.I have even tried using a bigger tip than .035. This is more of a problem with stainless wire than with carbon.
Reply:Your not trying to use the same gun and liner with the .035 as the 0.045 are you?Vantage 500's LN-25's, VI-400's, cobramatics, Miller migs, synch 350 LX, Powcon inverters, XMT's, 250 Ton Acurrpress 12' brake, 1/4" 10' Atlantic shear,Koikie plasma table W/ esab plasmas. marvel & hyd-mech saws, pirrana & metal muncher punches.
Reply:Use a fresh .035 liner.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Maybe have a spare gun with a .035 liner in it when you need to change wire sizes?My Lincoln SP 175 Plus requires a different liner to run the .045 wire.  Standard liner goes from .023-.035, then the next size up goes from .035-.045 size wire.MarkI haven't always been a nurse........Craftsman 12"x36" LatheEnco G-30B MillHobart Handler 175Lincoln WeldandPower 225 AC/DC G-7 CV/CCAdd a Foot Pedal to a Harbor Freight Chicago Electric 165A DC TIG PapaLion's Gate Build
Reply:Originally Posted by MarkBall2Maybe have a spare gun with a .035 liner in it when you need to change wire sizes?My Lincoln SP 175 Plus requires a different liner to run the .045 wire.  Standard liner goes from .023-.035, then the next size up goes from .035-.045 size wire.
Reply:First off, are you using the special .035 guide tube, after the drive roller??   Look at my picture, you will see how it is shaped to fit as close as possible, to the rollers.   Second, is your carbon wire a little rusty?  Not using it often???   Every rust spot, is slightly bigger, than .035, will hang up going thru the tip.   Anytime it hangs up, the drive roll spins, distorts the wire, another bad spot 15 feet later.  And using a bigger tip isn't the answer, either.   Continuity may be so bad, the electrical connection could be coming from the liner in back, you could actually possible melt the wire inside the liner.ANYTIME, a roll is changed, gun is removed, standard practice should be to remove the tip, blow it out.I would also consider the suggestion, of a different gun/liner setup, for cored wires and hard wires.And don't ever feel shy, about just changing out a liner, and tip, anytime it just won't work, no matter what you do. Attached Images