Weld wire roll rusting - Humid climate, infrequent use.

[Marctrees]

Like title says.. Roll is rusting installed in machine.

Slips in feeder due to surface rust.

Any solution other than taking it out, storing in zip lock, and having to re feed it ?

PIA to do that and makes me procrastinate small jobs.

Anything to spray on the roll?

Can I buy wire w anti rust coating or something ?

Marc

 

[jeepinerdeep]

Like title says.. Roll is rusting installed in machine.

Can I buy wire w anti rust coating or something ?

Marc

Yes you can. There are dozens of copper coated ER70-S6 wires out there.

A mainstream easily attainable example is Lincoln SuperArc.

Corrosion will still creep up on you, but at an exponentially slower pace.

https://www.esabna.com/euweb/awtc/lesson6_6.htm

 

[metlmunchr]

Is the wire bare? Most everything I've ever bought in mild steel was copper coated to prevent rust in normal environments. That said, if the machine is stored in an area where it can get pretty cold at night, then the mass of the spool of wire can keep it from warming up during the day quick enough to avoid condensation as the temperature of the wire stays below the dew point of the air. Even the copper coated stuff will rust if it goes thru repeated cycles like this.

 

[Marctrees]

So, they are made and marketed for this reason ?

Marc

 

[Marctrees]

I can't get to it now, but ya.. the wire is definately copper color exterior.

I thought that was pretty standard ?

Marc

 

[gofastwclass]

I agree with metlmunchr.

You could either remove the wire and store it in a climate controlled location as you stated. I suggest this method.

Another option (just thinking out loud, I have not tried this) is placing some desiccant inside the welder near the spool in an attempt to reduce moisture inside the machine and thus on the wire itself.

 

[lilredex]

Get a couple of camphor blocks, bag them and tie around the spool.

Have been using these in my unheated garage toolbox for about 25 years and it is corrosion free.

 

[Spareparts]

Fought this problem with my Lincoln 175 that was in my service truck, started out having a problem with the spool unwinding and getting tangeled, I got some webbing off a ratchet strap attached it in front of the spool and over the top and down the back, made a loop on the end and slip a cut off 3/4" bolt thru the loop putting a little drag on the spool. Worked great with the unspooling, but it also covered the top of the wire on the spool and stopped the rusting. The dew was alway on top of spool, never on the bottom so it served a dual purpose and the little extra weight on the spool seemed to smooth the feed out. I also use the felt rolls that slip over the wire at the feed rollers and kinda wipes the wire clean, hope that helpes.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I have a small piece of blue paper towel wrapped around the wire, held on with a spring type clothes pin. It's right before in goes in the rollers to help wipe any debris off the wire.


Will it work for you, but it's cheap to try.

 

[lilredex]

Mine came with one of those, a felt sock wiper clipped to the wire, from the factory.

 

[Marctrees]

Hmmm.. so maybe a guy can rig up a scotch brite followed by felt... if there is enough room.. will look.

Marc

 

[BigMike782]

Wire is copper coated as a drawing agent, it is in no way intended to inhibit rust.
Easiest solution is pull it off the welder and put it in a ziplock bag.

 

[scooby074]

You can still get corrosion even with the copper coating. Chances are the corrosion is a few layers deep now. Best to remove several layers and check. More than one spool has been ruined by corrosion $$$. Dont hesitate to toss the wire if its suspect.

Corrosion will also gum up your liners and make feeding crappy too. If youve fed a bunch of bad wire, you likely will need a new liner. Its not a real big cost however. Ive never had luck with those scotchbrite style cleaners.

Either remove the spool and store it in its original bag (usually comes with anti-corrosion paper) if its going to not be used for a while or put anti-corrosion emitters (VCI) or AC paper/foam in the wire area if you plan on using the welder frequently.

 

[laser3kw]

spray the spool with anti spatter. The felt bob will wipe off enough that it won't be a problem too. You could use WD40 but don't soak it.

 

[bdbecker]

Dealing with the same thing right now on a new-used welder that came with a nearly full 10lb spool. The rust was only on the top layer or two of wire, so I've removed that and am going to pick up one of these and toss one in there to see if it helps.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000H0XFCS/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Toxictom]

I have a roll of wire with surface rust. I poked it through an earplug and that cleans it up nicely.

 

[86turbodsl]

Few solutions: climate control your shop space - best solution
Bag it and reinstall when needed - cheap solution

I have fought with that too, until i heated/insulated my space, it was a battle. Best of luck.