rusty wire

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Here in Florida, with all the humidity, the wire gets rusty on the spool (farm use).  Anybody figured out how to combat this rather than take the spool in the house when no in use?  How about mounting a low wattage light bulb in the wire compartment.  Woul that help?
Reply:I know for a fact that a completely enclosed feeder such as the Suitcase that I use, helps keep moisture problems lessened.
Reply:I'd just stick to using a fresh small 2lb spool of wire as needed.  Forget the big 10-12lb spools.  Yeah, you still might be wasting some good wire, but what other choice do you have?  I wouldn't want to put a light bulb inside my mig machine.Lincoln Power Mig 216Lincoln AC/DC-225/125Miller  625 X-Treme PlasmaMiller 211 Forney 95FI-A 301HF 91110Victor Journeyman O/PMilwaukee DaytonMakita  Baileigh NRA Life Member
Reply:stick machine and 6010
Reply:I sent my old man a little mm180 and he was having the same issues with the wire rusting down there. I suggested throwing a couple of those "do not eat" moisture eating thingamajiggers in the wire feed compartment.HammerFile Big Hammer------------------------------Here, let me Google that for you...
Reply:Of course the light bulb would help the relative humidity goes down if you take a sample of air and warm it.  Take it off wrap that brown waxy paper thing back around it put it in the bag and bring it inside.  That is what I do however I use 25 or 33 pound spools and my feeder it toatlly open.  How much wire do you have to pull off and throw out to get to good stuff?  It isn't uncommon to see that folks use that technique as well.  Where the wire/welder/feeder is will come into play when the air is moist and humid and the metal stuff is cool and the most air circulation is will yeild the worst combination.
Reply:I'm completely new at MIG.  Gonna have a thousand questions. I'd like to ask Super Arc why he wouldn't put a light bulb inside the wire feed compartment.  This is a ESAB DipPak200, so there is ample room.  Will I harm something?  Where can I find some literature on how to set up the machine?  Gas flow etc.  How about expendables. Do I have to buy them for this particular machine, or are they universal. (tips & cones)?
Reply:At home, I have both 33 lb spools and 11 lb spools.  I take them off at the end of each use.  I may go weeks  and sometimes I weld every day with them.  It is more important to me to have good wire than to waste the wire to rust because I am lazy.It doesn't take long to roll up power cord, wrap leads up and remove the welding wire.  it is all apart of the job in my book.  The little 1-2 pound rolls are TOO expensive compared to the larger rolls.
Reply:I put a BBQ pit cover over the whole feeder unit and it has stopped the problem for me.
Reply:Originally Posted by TheOldManI'm completely new at MIG.  Gonna have a thousand questions. I'd like to ask Super Arc why he wouldn't put a light bulb inside the wire feed compartment.  This is a ESAB DipPak200, so there is ample room.  Will I harm something?  Where can I find some literature on how to set up the machine?  Gas flow etc.  How about expendables. Do I have to buy them for this particular machine, or are they universal. (tips & cones)?
Reply:I've heard of using SOLID camphor blocks as a rust preventative. I'm not sure how well it works as I have only started using it recently. Another issue could be that it releases a gas that becomes a rust preventative coating, which I suppose could contaminate your weld. Im not an expert on this, but wanted to mention the option...You can get it off amazon or ebay usually.
Reply:Originally Posted by TheOldManHere in Florida, with all the humidity, the wire gets rusty on the spool (farm use).  Anybody figured out how to combat this rather than take the spool in the house when no in use?  How about mounting a low wattage light bulb in the wire compartment.  Woul that help?
Reply:The Old Man,Had the same problem here in VA right next to the Chesapeake Bay.Did a full writeup on the solution.  Think I posted it (with photos) on either Miller or Hobart forums.Used a golden rod dehumidifier from Midway and mounted it in the wirefeed compartment.The "golden rods" are used for dehumidification of gun safes, etc.  We've used them for years in fishing rod storage compartments on boats.The small golden rod (15 watt) is an aluminum tube about 12" long and 5/8" in diameter. Comes with mounting clips and about a 10' electrical cord.  The plug is removable so the wire can be routed thru a very small hole in the compartment.Haven't had any more problems with wire rusting in either the HH187 or the MM251.  The wire spool (33#) for the XMT304/714 Feeder gets removed and stored in the cabinet in the storeroom (cabinet also has it's own golden rod in the bottom).Probably can find it with a Google search of "Golden Rod".Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:Interesting use for a Goldenrod and one I hadn't thought about. Thanks..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:An overnite/weekend solution is to open the case, and put a trash bag round the roll while still on the drum. In side the trash bag you can put the disposable desiccant bags http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/DAM...FG3?Pid=search in the trash bag.I just put the bag around the spindle and pull the sides in tight, and leave it, works for aluminum wire too.Not nearly as clean or long term and permanent as a Golden Rod in the case; but a kind of "homestead" type cure that works pretty well.Cheers,Kevin Morin
Reply:Would copper coated wire fix this? Something like a Hobart HB-28 ( ER70S-6)
Reply:Lee Valley sells thin foam sheets coated with corrosion inhibitor on it made to be cut up into small pieces and put in each drawer of your toolbox, not very expensive so it wouldn't be a horror story if they don't work but buy a sheet and see if it works.