Protect your MIG wire!!

[225]

This past week I pulled out my I-MIG 200 to weld the tabs to the frame to bolt my teardrop camper down. And the wire kept fusing to the MIG tip. I was like what the hell???

So I opened the machine and I seen the wire spool was kind of rusting from sitting in my shed. I went to Praxair and picked up a bunch of tips and some new wire and everything started working fine again.

If you are going to keep your machine in a non climate controlled area, pull your spool and put it inside!!

[youngnstudly]

I've had the same problem in the shop with the cold temps during the winter. Now I try to take the spool of wire out and put it back in the box it came in with a few small shop towels wrapped around it (when I remember to, that is). A freaking spool of bare wire for the MIG is not cheap! The sad part is that the name brands of MIG wire are the same price (or even cheaper!) than off brands and cheap junk!

Now if I could only keep my full set of chrome Snap-on wrenches and sockets from rusting inside my toolbox! What's the point of keeping my tools inside if it's still going to rust!?!

[johnnymg]

This past week I pulled out my I-MIG 200 to weld the tabs to the frame to bolt my teardrop camper down. And the wire kept fusing to the MIG tip. I was like what the hell???

So I opened the machine and I seen the wire spool was kind of rusting from sitting in my shed. I went to Praxair and picked up a bunch of tips and some new wire and everything started working fine again.

If you are going to keep your machine in a non climate controlled area, pull your spool and put it inside!!

Makes you wonder what might be going on inside the welder?

[Odyknuck]

How about laying a desiccant pouch in the bottom of the compartment to absorb moisture?

[Jason]

Hmm interesting... I left mine in the garage all last winter without any troubles and a friend leaves his out in a barn all winter without any problems at all even in temps reaching below 0.

[everlastsupport]

I have seen it happen. You can remove the rusty wire in some cases and use up the spool. These days, we use our welders so much it doesn't happen here.

Desiccant might help or remove the spool and put it in an air tight sealed bag (with desiccant)..

[Mr120]

I'm not sure how long a bag of dessiccant will help on the bottom of the case in humid conditions. If I'm not using mine for a while, I pull it out and store in a zip lock bag and try to squeeze as much air out of it before sealing. Some dessiccant in there too is a good idea to be safe.