MIG gun liners - INSPECT the end before installing!

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Had a nice never-used Tweco eliminator off Ebay (no liner), NIB otherwise.Had a not-so-nice NIB proper Tweco liner. Installed liner (I've installed MANY liners) and it stopped about a two feet from the end. No go in either direction, standard twisting and wiggling didn't help.Finally dissected tube and found that when the liner was trimmed at the factory, it had a snag on it which grabbed the tube during installation. Tube was not pinched or kinked.Just because it's new and from a "reputable" brand doesn't mean they made it properly, so inspect those liners and polish the ends (I use a flap disc) the same way you do after trimming them to length.
Reply:Originally Posted by farmallFinally dissected tube and found that when the liner was trimmed at the factory, it had a snag on it which grabbed the tube during installation.
Reply:It was beyond rescue with a section of liner stuck in it. You can peel the outer layer back neatly and work your way up the inner tube. I could have made a six-foot gun (you can shorten Twecos, OADoctor does it commercially and I've done one, it's pretty basic) but I have others so not worth the hassle.I'll lie in wait for a hunk of Cablehoz off Ebay and maybe repair it eventually, but guns go cheap. I don't feel like paying retail for the Cablehoz wire/cable/tube since it's about two hundred bucks and I only have eighty in the gun. I can throw the good parts in stash and use 'em on another gun. Never pay retail for MIG guns unless it's someone else's money, but I don't have to tell you that!  I got that one around the holidays. Great time for bargains.