fix welder

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i have a CENTURY Mig welder 20511 (aka craftsmen) and i want to know if their is any way to check if the feed motor is going out or if the Wire speed control with circuit board is going out i have it on 10th speed and its kinda slow it arcs good if you dont move for tack welding but when you move the gun it pops and will not make a bead i have had 2 or 3 people try its the welder not feeding wire right so if any of you can help i appreciate it
Reply:Are you sure your drive rolls are not slipping on the wire or the tension on the spool axle isn't too tight?  Also, have you tried a new tip in the gun, or checked that the liner is not kinked?MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Good advice above, the liner could be clogged up with debris, or kinked.  Run a length of wire out of the gun for a measured amount of time, say 10 seconds, then measure the length of the wire that has been feed and calculate the inches per minute (IPM).  Now if you don't know how many IPM your machine should feed on a setting of 10, then at least you can reference a guide such as thishttp://www.millerwelds.com/pdf/mig_handbook.pdfwhich indicates you would want about 250 IPM of 0.030" wire for welding 1/8" material.You can set the drive roll pressure by running wire into the palm of your hand, applying pressure to cause it to coil up into circles.  You should be able to apply a good deal of resistance with causing the drive rolls to slip.