Mig Wire Corrosion problem

[RV77]

Hey all- I have a Hobart Ironman 210 and although it works great,I have a small moisture problem...

The corrsion is just enough to stop the wire from feeding intermittently.I have to make sure my lead is pretty straight other wise it stops at the worst times.

I have put dessicants under my spool but they arent very big so I am thinking about putting some newspaper or maybe plastic over the wire to trap the moisture.

FWIW -Its not a year long moisture problem just mainly summer when the floor is sweating.I never leave my lid open and I have asked my local welding suppliers...they say replace the wire.

Anyone else have this problem ? I might end up lightly clamping a piece of steel wool on the wire to clean it as it feeds in the lining.

 

[trbomax]

Put a small light bulb inside the cover,close to the wire.

 

[socapots]

some good questions man.
my welder has had the same spool since i bought it.. thought i was going to use it alot more then i have been. And im sure there will be some issues when i start again.

edit: The desiccant is a good idea. But you would have to make sure there are no other openings for the moisture to get into. and a good seal on the door would be essential to success.

Id say try that route first to keep the moisture inside the cabinet down.

 

[buzz4041]

If my welder will sit for some time I pull the spool and put it in a larger ziploc freezer bag. Been doing that for years and haven't had any rust issues. My spools will show signs of rust within a week around here on the outer layer if not in use.

 

[CJN8]

I have always clamped a piece of shop rag or towel on the wire where it enters the liner with a close pin. This cleans the wire before it enters the machine. It does the trick for me.

Thanks
Nate

 

[Falcon67]

I don't have much of a moisture problem, but I use these lubricators at the front end of the gun to keep things clean. I got them at the lube at the welding supply.http://www.arc-zone.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=5302

 

[Jackfre]

The bag storage is a good idea. Think I will try that. My welding is so infrequent right now that I buy only the smallest rolls of wire I can. That way, if the wire does deteriorate I'm only out a little bit.

 

[Buckgnarly]

Now you have me thinking/worried about my welders.....I wonder if spraying the roll with anti spatter would work?

 

[trbomax]

No,you have to keep it warmer than the surounding air,a 15 or 20 w candesent bulb works fine. We used to do that with all the sticks too,just put them in a metal box w/a bulb.

 

[W650Mike]

Same problem here.

My Airgas lady suggested brushing on a light coating of nozzle butter (Tip Dip, etc). It seems to be working and has not cause slipping in the drive rolls.

 

[RV77]

Thanks for the responses.I will have to look into those line lubricators and also could possibly leave my drop light in the case.

 

[MoonRise]

A lube-pad would just put lube onto the possibly rusty wire coming off of the spool.

Yuck.

If the wire is rusting on the spool, then you have to try and keep it from rusting. Dry out the area (heat or dessicants, but dessicants work 'better' if they aren't trying to dry out an entire shop/garage, so they work better in a small and/or enclosed space, and don't set things on fire with the heat though!), or remove the wire spool from the machine and put it someplace clean and dry (sealed bag, sealed container with dessicant, sealed container with mild heat, etc).

How long would it take to remove the spool from the machine and stash it in a clean-n-dry place and then 'reload' the machine when you need to? Just a few minutes and you avoid the entire 'rusty spool of wire in the machine' problem.

You already know you have a problem if you leave the spool in the machine.

Your call.

 

[nso123]

I have not had this problem, but have you thought about using one of the dehumidifying rods that are made for use in a gun safe? They are designed to be on all the time, so it would probably be worry free.

 

[rburke65]

At work they used to use a foam ear plug to keep the wire clean. We would just run the wire through the ear plug and the into the liner. In the atmosphere at work it was worth the effort as it pulled off a lot of **** from the wire. I know it doesn't help the OP, just FWIW.

 

[burleymike]

Great thread, I have this problem with a spool of wire I inherited. It was sitting on the shelf in NW Oregon for 10 years. I will try the earplug first.

 

[RV77]

I have not had this problem, but have you thought about using one of the dehumidifying rods that are made for use in a gun safe? They are designed to be on all the time, so it would probably be worry free.

never heard of the D-rod but I will look in to it.Thanks for the idea !

 

[1steve]

Bingo

I have not had this problem, but have you thought about using one of the dehumidifying rods that are made for use in a gun safe? They are designed to be on all the time, so it would probably be worry free.

This will solve the problem.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Dri-Rod...ultDomain_0&hash=item41623bb110#ht_500wt_1271

 

[nso123]

Glad it could help. Also, on 1steve's find, I notice it says made in the USA, so it can be kept in the good ole USA.

 

[rburke65]

The ear plug was just for their born dirt and will not solve the rust problem, just to be clear.

 

[Winneratalosinggame]

Hey all- I have a Hobart Ironman 210 and although it works great,I have a small moisture problem...

The corrsion is just enough to stop the wire from feeding intermittently.I have to make sure my lead is pretty straight other wise it stops at the worst times.

I have put dessicants under my spool but they arent very big so I am thinking about putting some newspaper or maybe plastic over the wire to trap the moisture.

FWIW -Its not a year long moisture problem just mainly summer when the floor is sweating.I never leave my lid open and I have asked my local welding suppliers...they say replace the wire.

Anyone else have this problem ? I might end up lightly clamping a piece of steel wool on the wire to clean it as it feeds in the lining.

Steel wool can cause a short! As well as leave residue on the wire. I use a piece of Scotchbrite pad held to wire with a wooden clothes pin year round because wire is usually dirty from manufacturer and it works during the wet season when the wire gets rust!

Just replace pad every other month!

 

[metalmagpie]

If you are getting rusty wire because you don't use the welder very often, suggest you remove the spool between uses, put it in a ziploc bag, and tuck in one of those dehydrant packs. Always store unused spools this way.

If you have a spool that has rusted slightly, suggest you remove your tip and run wire through the gun (turn the wire speed all the way up) to see if the wire is only rusted on the very outside of the spool, as is often the case. If so, cut it off and then do as above.

If your welder is small, consider storing it in a warm dry area. (Next to your furnace?)