Campbel Hausfeld 110 flux core "should I??"

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First off, hello all newbie here...My question:A friend gave me a Campbel Hausfeld 110 flux core welder. Said they could never get it to feed.I've never had any luck with these 110 flux cores at all. I've tried a few and even when I get them to work and get a 1/2 decent looking weld I don't get penetration. I might be able to weld some foil together or something, but ussualy would have better luck with a soldering iron.... LOLMy brother who is a machinist, not a welder, does great on light stuff with them. Go figure.... So I know they can work, just gotta learn how to use it.  Well I have this one, and need to use it to weld a fender in a trailer. Really light metal cold roll, sheet metal, I think it should do it.  Problem is the wire sticks in the leader. Like they said it wont feed at all. Feels like it's hanging right up close to where it enters. I can't hardly pull it through. The feed wheel turns and tries to feed it but if I add tension then it stops the feed wheel, if I loosen tension it just spins on the wire.  If I disassemble it, and let the steel liner free, and then try to pull it manually. Then the steel liner slides back and then the wire slides through with out a problem. Almost like the liner is 1/4" to long and binding up in the stinger. Should I trim it?I was a combination welder for a couple of years, not maintenance, so if some of that doesn't make sense from wrong terminology I apologize, please ask and I'll try to clarify.Last edited by PSS-Mag; 05-04-2008 at 04:32 PM.If you can't fix it with a welder and a hammer, then you either need a bigger hammer or you've got an electrical problem.
Reply:Hey Matt whats going on?Could be the tip itself..Gets all bunged up afterawhile..I got a cheepie 110 also..I need a C-Clamp between the drive wheels to make the wire feed..Welcome to the shop!...zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:If you can get the mig working use it. If you can't get the 110 volt mig to work trailer fenders can be stick welded. While many people will get 1/16 or 5/64 rod I have 3/32 on hand and don't bother going the 1/2 mile to the lws. Run any verticals down hill. Start the puddle on the thicker metal just beside the fender and whip it over just enough to fuse with the fender.
Reply:Sure cut 1/4" off or what ever you need to.You could need a new one anyhow.I welded these on with 3/32 7018 UP.  Ranger 250.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:"Feels like it's hanging right up close to where it enters. I can't hardly pull it through."I don't MIG, but I'm pretty sure that with the drive wheels released, the wire ought to pull thru easily; all the way from the tip. It's either the liner binding like you said, or the friction is too tight on the supply reel."If I disassemble it, and let the steel liner free, and then try to pull it manually. Then the steel liner slides back and then the wire slides through with out a problem. Almost like the liner is 1/4" to long and binding up in the stinger.Should I trim it?" Someone familiar with this? EDIT: Oops, David beat me to it.Last edited by Craig in Denver; 05-04-2008 at 05:34 PM.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
Reply:Originally Posted by zapsterHey Matt whats going on?Could be the tip itself..Gets all bunged up afterawhile..I got a cheepie 110 also..I need a C-Clamp between the drive wheels to make the wire feed..Welcome to the shop!...zap!
Reply:Originally Posted by David RSure cut 1/4" off or what ever you need to.You could need a new one anyhow.I welded these on with 3/32 7018 UP.  Ranger 250.David
Reply:, no, I did that with my gas drive ranger 250.  A decent 110 mig in working order should weld the fenders on especially up.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Originally Posted by Craig in Denver"Feels like it's hanging right up close to where it enters. I can't hardly pull it through."I don't MIG, but I'm pretty sure that with the drive wheels released, the wire ought to pull thru easily; all the way from the tip. It's either the liner binding like you said, or the friction is too tight on the supply reel.
Reply:Originally Posted by Craig in Denver"Feels like it's hanging right up close to where it enters. I can't hardly pull it through."I don't MIG, but I'm pretty sure that with the drive wheels released, the wire ought to pull thru easily; all the way from the tip. It's either the liner binding like you said, or the friction is too tight on the supply reel.
Reply:Do you have Electrode NEGATIVE?DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Dang you fast... you got in before I edited.... LOLI don't have the option to change it, it's hard wired internally, but I doubt that it is.... the edit:Iit's got .030" wire loaded.I just realized that they have mig wire loaded, I don't have a shielding gas and no way to hook one up, shouldn't it be flux core wire? Would that cause it not to stick?If you can't fix it with a welder and a hammer, then you either need a bigger hammer or you've got an electrical problem.
Reply:I've been playing some more, got a decent "looking" weld out of it, thats a huge improvement from the past with these, but it still wont stick..... Think I'll go buy some flux core wire tomorrow and try that.If you can't fix it with a welder and a hammer, then you either need a bigger hammer or you've got an electrical problem.
Reply:Originally Posted by PSS-MagSnip...Think I'll go buy some flux core wire tomorrow and try that.
Reply:Yes, flux-cored wire is a MUST without gas shielding.As for feeding, are you taking the contact tip off before feeding the wire through the gun, and then replacing the contact tip over the installed wire?  If so, then the liner may be the next thing to look at.
Reply:Thought I'd better update.It was 100% the wire they had loaded in it. Got some Flux Core wire and suddenly it feeds and welds perfectly. I've done quite a bit of welding with it so far and starting to get decent with it. They still aren't pretty but seems to be getting good penetration.I welded the winch post on my boat trailer, did a 360º pencil weld all the way around it. It's isn't exactly pretty but I winched a 3500lb 18 ft fiberglass cruiser boat up on the dry trailer off the ground and it held solid.If you can't fix it with a welder and a hammer, then you either need a bigger hammer or you've got an electrical problem.