Miller 252 drive problem? Need suggestions.

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Need a little help and advice.We've had a 252 running in a shop for 4 months now. Every once in a while the .035 wire slips and doesn't feed and then picks back up feeding again. I thought the tension knob was to loose so we tightened it up.  Turns out to fix the problem we have the tension knob cranked all the way down and the spool tension all the way loose.  I got to thinking about it today and that can't be right.So, I looked at the drive unit and noticed that it is not spinning true!  I pulled the .030/.035 drive ring off and let just the shaft turn to see what was out of round.  Turns out the shaft isn't spinning true.  Anyone seen this before, the machine is like new.  Wouldn't this be warranty? I hope our shop could get the part and just put it on and not have to send it to a repair house.It will run but i'd think this should be fixed...
Reply:I wonder if the tension knob being turned all the way down bent the drive motor shaft?Contact miller.  I think they'll warranty it.Millermatic Passport PlusMillermatic 200Millermatic 350P with PythonXMT 304 /w S-64 feeder and 12RCDynasty 300 DXVictor O/APremier Power Welder for my trail junk.
Reply:If it had started to do that over time I would say yes, but I had to do this from the start soon as I bought the machine.  You still may be right though. If thats the case, I'd say that is a very weak shaft that miller might should have done a better job with. If the tension knob could damage it I wouldn't think they would give you the option to crank it down so far either.Anyway I called my LWS and am waiting on their return call, I'll keep everyone updated.
Reply:Update, LWS called a tech that does their repairs along with most everyone else's in Dallas.  He said they all have that characteristic and spin untrue....  He said when he got into the business he replaced one and the new drive system from Miller did the same thing. So he called them and they said don't worry about it, its normal.If anyone has a Miller 252 or similar model with that drive setup, open up the tenion collar where it won't feed out your wire and get down and look directly at the drive shaft.  Is yours spinning true or not?thanks
Reply:Back to your problem..... other than the wobble. Have you replaced the liner? Sometimes a chip of metal or some trash can cause the wire to bind in the liner for a second and then it will feed good again for a little while.HH 187Miller Bluestar1EAHP AlphaTig 200X
Reply:Is the gun adapter or wire guide set in the drive housing too deep preventing the top drive roller from maintaining proper tension on the wire?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:duaneb55, Im not quite following you. could you elaborate a little. Are you talking about the tail end of the gun cable that slides into the feeder that the wire is fed into. If thats the case it is slid all the way in close as it can get to the rollers.
Reply:Originally Posted by chadwickz71duaneb55, Im not quite following you. could you elaborate a little. Are you talking about the tail end of the gun cable that slides into the feeder that the wire is fed into. If thats the case it is slid all the way in close as it can get to the rollers.
Reply:no problem there...
Reply:Originally Posted by chadwickz71no problem there...
Reply:Do you have a tensioner on your wire roll?  If it isn't tight enough, extra wire can spool loose and cause your top layers to loosen up when the machine stops. When you start again,  it will tighten up the wire but get wedged between the other layers on the spool, causing the wheel to slip. Of course having the roll rensioner too tight can do the same thing.Esab Migmaster 250Lincoln SA 200Lincoln Ranger 8Smith Oxy Fuel setupEverlast PowerPlasma 80Everlast Power iMIG 160Everlast Power iMIG 205 Everlast Power iMIG 140EEverlast PowerARC 300Everlast PowerARC 140STEverlast PowerTIG 255EXT
Reply:What size wire?  You state the drive rolls are .030/.035.From the manual:The drive roll consists of two different sized grooves. The stamped markings on the end surface of the drive roll refers to the groove on the opposite side of the drive roll. The groove closest to the motor shaft is the proper groove to thread.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 have my spool tension correct it stops when I release the trigger, no problem there.Also the drive roll is correctly installed.Im still trying to get someone to look at their drive shaft and see if its spinning true or not.
Reply:i looked at my 252 today when i was welding it seems to be running true
Reply:I doesn't seem right that someone can 'see' runout. If I bought a 252 (which would be my first choice) and could see runout, I'd be 'hoppin' mad.    9-11-2001......We Will Never ForgetRetired desk jockey. Hobby weldor with a little training. Craftsman O/A---Flat, Vert, Ovhd, Horz. Miller Syncrowave 250