Snap on 2135, erratic arcing

[AndyStobbs]

Hi guys, my little MIG seems to developing a problem. It's odd (to me anyway) in that its not consistent. Ive been doing some welding on a transit today, and the best way to describe the fault is the sound of the arc, changes from a nice smooth crackle to a series of thuds, like the pitter patter of rain on a sheet.
This makes the weld quite difficult to control and the spatter is unreal.
Now here's the thing, I know it sounds like a wire feed issue, but it can be ok one moment then acting up the next. It's on a 5kg spool, and the spribg tension is minimal, I even grease the spool edges to aid free running.

At one point I had the torch coming up between my legs and daft as it sounds I can feel the wire feeding through by the vibrations in the torch lead, it didn't feel like the wire feed was dropping out.

Any ideas as to what could be the cause? I owe the welder a new liner anyway, so I will get that done and see, but I'm not optimistic.

Thanks

 

[the snooper]

I think you are going the right way with the new liner, change the tip while you are at it, sounds like wire feed to me

 

[J.B. Welding]

as above, then blow everything out with air ect,good clean up. you could be changing from dip to globular transfer so speed up wire a bit (this would explain the spatter), alter wire speed for different positions and see how you get on. Dont know if the grease is a good idea does it contact the wire? I use those wire wool things that clip onto the wire before it goes into the feeder, they seem to do a good job.

 

[AndyStobbs]

The grease is just on the sides of the spool. To avoid friction between spool and adaptor plate. Need to finish this job on the transit then I will change the liner and tip.
Thanks