Turbo 130 torch problem/question

[Alex.]

Hi I have a weird problem with a turbo130, it feeds wire along to the torch fine, and if I loosely fit the contact tip it still feeds fine, but when I tighten the tip the feed becomes very slow and erratic. Feels like something is being pinched, but what?
Second, does it matter which way round the springy steel liner goes in the torch neck? It doesn't affect the feeding problem either way.
And finally, since I'm not very familiar with this machine, should the tension screw on the drive roller have to be screwed right down? I usually use a SIP handymig and it doesn't seem to need as much pressure.
Sorry to be such a numpty!

 

[Wendelspanswick]

Sounds like the liner is to long, as you screw the tip on you are probable pushing the liner into the drive rollers or distorting it. Try trimming 5mm off the liner with a Junior Hacksaw.
Make sure the mig wire sits in the groove on the roller, the tension depends on various factors but it is not unusual to have the tension set to the max on smaller welders.

 

[mike 109444]

Alex it sounds like you have a general problem with your torch. Th e fact that you have the issue with the tip being screwed right in which I believe is compressing the "spring" of the swaneck liner (you might have to trim a very small amount off it, but see below 1st).
The problem of needing to "screw the roller pressure right down" to get it to feed ? maybe due to a poor/kinked/blocked liner on the torch needing the feed to push harder to get the wire to feed. If you sort that issue 1st you might find the tip issue is also sorted. There have been various post on how to best set the tension on the feed roller.
Generally you need to make sure the spool of wire is free to turn on it's hub but with out so much slack that it can over run when the trigger is released (there will be a bolt/nut or similar in middle that acts like a clutch to cause a small amount of drag. Once this is set then you can start to adjust the feed roller tension. This can be set by backing right off then operate trigger and slowly winding it down till it starts to feed and slip. Then turn by small amounts (1/4 to 1/2 turn) till it feeds evenly. Now when you are welding and find that it hits the metal and strikes the arc there should be enough slip to stop any bird nesting but not so much that it does not feed consistently.
There will be some trial and error but you should only be 1 or 2 turns from a correct setting. That all assumes that the feed assembly is in good order, No oil on roller, no rust on roller, A GOOD LINER! , the bracket of the feed roller is not flexing as some of the smaller welders do (see SIP feed mods).
Hope the above helps.

 

[mike 109444]

This might help
http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/sip-wirefeed.htm

 

[Alex.]

Cheers all, I think I'll get some new bits and replace them one-by-one to see what fixes the problem.