Homemade wire feeder

[shenion]

As part of my "riding welder" , I am making a wire feeder.

Here's tonight's work:

The brass stepped tube on the left is a Tweco gun adapter I made for the little Clarke. I will make another one as this one is not turned right.

The geared drive motor I had lying around. Have been using it as a testbed on some of my motor control designs. You can grab the shaft with pliers and have a hard time stopping it; lots of torque.

The board is a kitchen nylon cutting board. Should work well (motor/feeder need to be electrically isolated.)

Now need to figure out a idler pulley and tensioner. I think I use some U-channel from the front block on a hinge with a bearing un the center.

Here's the gearbox/motor:

 

[greyshirtguy]

That looks great!

 

[shenion]

Now have a tensioner:

Need to set up the TIG and weld a tab on the U-channel for the spring to press against.

Today I won 10 gas solenoids on ebay, so now have the last part. Funny, have been bidding on solenoids for a week only to lose at last minute when they went above my limit. Then found these 10 listed in the wrong category. 10 for about $50 including shipping.

 

[shenion]

Have wired up a control board. Just a variable voltage regulator and a relay.

Built a case for the feeder. Don't know if I'll leave it open frame or put a lid on it:

All that is left is to make a front panel with speed, voltage and purge controls. Then bolt on the gas solenoid.

 

[desimanwelding]

Man some people have lots of time....or just quicker than others

Nice one.

 

[shenion]

Man some people have lots of time....or just quicker than others

Nice one.

Just a couple of hours. Already had the gun adapter turned and a have several rollers turned from when I converted my Clarke to a Tweco gun..

Have added the front panel with purge and speed controls. What a royal pain. This steel is like iron (bed frame rails.). Near impossible to drill; like stainless. Finally gave up and punched some holes with my pasma.

Found some junk to make the wire reel hub, fitted the gas valve. Wired it up and it works. Looks like the motor is a bit slow, so may limit wire speed on upper settings. May need to add a 12V to 20V DC-DC converter (I happen to have one.).

All that is left is to add a connector to the riding welder for the controls and make some cables. Have about 15' of gas/control/power wires. With a 15' torch should reach plenty far enough.

Also, my regulator from ebay got shipped to the wrong user , should be in later this week.