mig wire feed tension

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what is the best way to set the wire feed tension on a mig? can it be too tight? i guess what i mean is, is there a certain way to do it, like "tighten it down till it stops and back it off x number of turns?" i understand that incorrect tension will create slipping and bad beads, etc.
Reply:You want the tension only tight enough to give a reliable feed.  The other thing is to only put enough drag on the spool to keep it from free wheeling.  Set the spool drag first.DennisThermal Arc 185-TSWMillermatic Challenger 172VictorO/AAtlas Craftsman 12 by 24 LatheEsab PCM-875Wholesalem Tool Mill-Drill
Reply:the way i tention mine is i loosen the tension until it starts slipping and not feeding the wire. then i snip the wire off flush with the gun. and press it against the concrete floor. (your not trying to shove the gun through the floor but put pressure so there's more than just gravity holding it against the ground) now pull the trigger to start the wire feed and tighten the tension until it starts to push the gun away from the floor. that will give you enough tension that you won't have an inconsistent feed but you don't have it so tight that you'll wear out the roller bearings.
Reply:I can vouch for too tight causing problems. I just learned that the other day. If it's too tight at the rollers, the slightest resistance will make it kink between the rollers and where it feeds into the line. I had to rethread that thing several times before a coworker pointed out that I had it too tight.
Reply:My manual says to place the tip up to a piece of wood at a slight angle and begin to feed it out.  Set the tension to the point where it will curl up against the wood.