Wire Spool Binding

[SeanMurphy265]

If you have the wire spool too tight it will make those noises. It probably feels as if it is struggling to weld, when you loosen the nut it will weld 10x smoother.

[everlastsupport]

If you have the wire spool too tight it will make those noises. It probably feels as if it is struggling to weld, when you loosen the nut it will weld 10x smoother.

That's still my thought.

[youngnstudly]

If you have the wire spool too tight it will make those noises. It probably feels as if it is struggling to weld, when you loosen the nut it will weld 10x smoother.

That's what I was thinking too. If you loop the loose (stinger end) of the wire into the spool housing so the spool doesn't unravel, can you spin the spool on the shaft easily by hand? Any strange noises while doing this (with the machine off)? Does the keyed washer have a sharp burr on the edge leftover from the stamping process? As Mike suggested, look at the "dead end" of the wire on the spool to see if it's sticking out too far and dragging on the inside of the machine as it spins.

Other than that, I can't think of anything else in that area that would cause problems.

[Rafael]

Don't see anything that could be causing it. I even loosened the nut to the point where it's barely holding the spool up. I just rubbed some more oil on the washer with my finger and I'll wait until this spool is gone. If it does it with the new spool I'll let you know.

[SeanMurphy265]

The way I was taught to adjust the wire spool tension is to angle the gun and hold it against a slick surface (against the welder). Pull the trigger and the wire should curl. If the wire pushes on the gun and does not curl then you have too much tension. You want the spool to spin with ease, but you don't want the spool to spin freely. In other words when you let off the trigger the spool stops and does NOT continue to spin.

Also how do you have wing nut, spring, and washer in place? I put on the spool with the plate that goes in the center and align. Put the spring on the shaft it will go against the metal plate. Put the washer against the (outside) spring, and tighten the wing against the washer. I've played with it but this works the best.

What is the brand name wire?

[zoama]

The way I was taught to adjust the wire spool tension is to angle the gun and hold it against a slick surface (against the welder). Pull the trigger and the wire should curl. If the wire pushes on the gun and does not curl then you have too much tension. You want the spool to spin with ease, but you don't want the spool to spin freely. In other words when you let off the trigger the spool stops and does NOT continue to spin.

That's the way to adjust the drive roller tension The spool tension should only be tight enough to prevent backlash when you release the trigger.

[geezer]

Could it be something as simple as having the spool on backwards,,the wire should feed in from the bottom of the spool...spool tension on a new 10 lb spool should be almost non existent as if turns slowly when it is new..

[Rafael]

So here is an update. I didn't change a thing just let the spool of wire run out and swapped put in a new spool. No more noise. I think it may have had something to do with old sticker gunk on the spool. I went with a MUCH CHEAPER MIG wire from www.usaweld.com this time and love it. Two spools for the price I was paying for one Hobart spool.