Help !

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Ok so here is the story.My friend gave me a mig welder, there is a problem though, The wire keeps crinkling and bunching up inside the mig before it goes through the tube to the gun, im guessing the liner if i  am correct is coiled or twisted up inside, I wish i could show pictures and tell you what welder this is but honestly I couldnt tell have slightest idea. IDk if im giving correct amount of info if so whats wrong? and what can i do?-Thanks-LandinAge:17Machine: Lincoln AC 225v Arc WelderMotive: TO learn everything i can about weldin
Reply:First try a new tip of the correct size for the wire, remove the liner check for kinks and blow it out with compressed air, then feed the wire down the torch by hand and feel for any binding.  If binding in the liner, buy a new liner of the correct size for the wire.  Next, back off the pressure on the drive rolls so you don't get the bird nesting problem next time you have a feed problem in the torch.  Then adjust the spool axle tension so you have just enough tension to keep the wire from unspooling on it's own and no more than that, so the drive system has an easy time pulling the wire off the spool and doesn't require too much tension on the drive roll to pull it off.Last edited by DesertRider33; 06-09-2010 at 11:19 AM.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:I agree with Desert and would add another cause could be also that you've got your gun cable curved too much. Keep it as straight as possible. Also, to do with the feed roller tension. If the rollers are too loose or too tight they can make a flat spot on the wire that can get stuck in the tip. Make sure you have the right rollers for the wire size you're using. Some times it helps to keep the distance between where the wire comes out the roller and where it goes into the brass fitting, to be feed through the cable, close together.Also, if wire "uncoils" off your spool, cut it off where it's still tight on the spool and install from there. The wire is coiled on the spools a certain way that effects how it comes off.200amp Air Liquide MIG, Hypertherm Plasma, Harris torches, Optrel helmet, Makita angle grinders, Pre-China Delta chop saw and belt sander, Miller leathers, shop made jigs etc, North- welders backpack.
Reply:All great info when you cut your wire use a sharp tool to reduce the amount of crimping. Another problem area is at the tip/nozzle end, if your liner is two short or it lays to one side the wire when feeding in will need to make an abrupt change of direction and combined with the "telephone spiral" effect of the line memory from the spool will cause you fits as well. The wire has a coating on it and over time will deposit in the liner and cause it to drag thus the the suggestion to blow it out with compressed air. If the liner or tip is the wrong size this will complicate matters as well. Check the roller size and type.