MIG welding requires a wire feed system. When the MIG welder wire feed motor not working, the entire system breaks down.
This is not something that you can do without. That’s why so many people look for and buy spare parts for this component.
It enables them to be ready for any sort of repair work – no matter how daunting the job appears to be.
Have you ever started welding on your welder, and the wire feed motor just wouldn’t work? Did you panic? Did you start to worry that you had gotten a lemon?
Well, relax. This is a common problem, and there are a few easy things you can do to fix it. In this article, I will tell you how you can easily fix the wire feed motor of the MIG welder. So keep reading!
How Does MIG Welder Work?
MIG Welder is a welding process that uses a continuous wire feed of metal to produce welds. The MIG process can be used for welding steel and other base metals as well as for joining aluminum, stainless steel, and other nonferrous materials.
The MIG welder uses inert gas to protect the molten weld pool from oxidation and contamination by atmospheric gases. The gas is usually argon or helium, although carbon dioxide may be used in some cases.
The inert gas also protects the arc from oxidation by removing the oxygen from the arc stream.
The welder consists of a power source that supplies electricity to the welding machine and a wire feeder that feeds wire into the weld area.
The power source consists of an alternating current (AC) generator or an inverter that converts DC power into AC power at a frequency ranging from 25 to 60 cycles per second (Hertz).
This type of electricity is called alternating current because its direction reverses many times each second.
Which Tools are Required to Fix MIG Welder Wire Feed Motor?
The tools required to fix the MIG welder wire feed motor include the following:
| No. | Required Tools | Description |
| 1 | Wire stripper | This is used to strip the insulation from the wires. |
| 2 | Screwdriver | A Phillips head screwdriver is required for this task, as well as a flat-head screwdriver for removing any cover plates on the motor. |
| 3 | Ratchet set | There are several different sizes of ratchets available, so make sure you have one that fits your bolts and nuts perfectly before starting this project. |
| 4 | Allen wrenches or hex keys | These are often found in sets with ratchets when they are purchased at home improvement stores like Lowe’s or Home Depot because they’re used together often in assembly projects like this one where screws need tightening or loosening quickly without having to remove them completely first (which would require more time). |
| 5 | Electrical tape | This will be used to tape over all exposed wires after you’ve finished replacing parts inside your motor, so no chance exists for them coming into contact with each other accidentally during use later on down the road (which could cause sparks and potentially start fires). |
Mig Welder Wire Feed Motor Not Working: 4 Ways to Adjust
If your MIG Welder wire feed motor system stops working, then I recommend that you should have to follow the following ways to adjust it easily:
- Wire Quality Inspection
- Issues in Drive Roller and Spool
- Check Gun Liner
- Maintenance of Contact Tip
Now, I will explain to you these beneficial ways to adjust the welder wire feed problems in detail:
1. Wire Quality Inspection:
The quality of the wire is an important factor that affects the quality of your weld. In order to get a high-quality weld, I suggest that you need to invest in a good quality wire.
If you are using cheap wire, it will most likely cause problems with your MIG welder motor and cause it to overheat. This can lead to damage, which will reduce the life of your MIG welder motor.
When buying MIG welding wire, make sure that it is made from stainless steel or aluminum and has a low carbon content. The size should be .035 inches or .045 inches thick for best results.
2. Issues in Drive Roller and Spool:
The tension in your spool and drive roller is the second thing to check if your wire feed motor isn’t working.
If you don’t have enough tension, it could cause your wire feed motor to overheat and stop working. If you have too much tension, it could cause your wire feed motor to burn out.
The best way that I recommend to test for this is to take off the cover on your wire feeder and turn it on without any metal in it. Then turn off the power switch and grab a pencil or pen with a piece of paper wrapped around it.
Hold it near where the drive roller meets the spool and see if there is any movement at all when you do so—if there isn’t, then you need more tension; if there is, then you need less tension.
3. Check Gun Liner:
The gun liner is one of the most critical parts of your Mig welder. It’s also an important part of keeping clean and well-maintained.
Here are some tips for keeping your gun liner in good condition:
- Always use a wire brush to clean out any build-up from the inside of your gun liner. This can be done with a wire brush that comes with the gun or with a small brush purchased separately from the machine.
- When you’re done welding, always wipe down the liners with a cloth or paper towel soaked in water before putting them away for storage or transport. This will help prevent rust from forming on the inside of the liners during storage or transportation, which could cause damage if left unchecked for too long!
4. Maintenance of Contact Tip:
The first thing you should do if your MIG welder’s wire feed motor isn’t working is to inspect the tip of the wire that feeds into your gun.
Make sure it’s clean and intact; if there are any nicks or scratches, fix them with a file or sandpaper. If there are no visible problems with the wire, then it might be time to replace it!
To replace your contact tip, follow these steps:
- Turn off your welder and unplug it from its power source.
- Shut off any ventilation fans in the room where you are working and open all windows or doors in order to let out any fumes emitted during welding. If possible, change into a respirator mask before beginning this procedure.
- Remove any debris or dirt from the inside of your welder’s wire feeder by brushing it with a stiff wire brush or scrubbing it with an abrasive pad dipped in acetone or lacquer thinner. I advise you not to use water because moisture can damage internal components even further than they already are!
How MIG Welder Benefits you?
A MIG welder is a solid choice for the DIY enthusiast or professional who needs to weld steel, aluminum, stainless steel, and other metals. The machine uses an arc between two wires to melt the base material.
The machine can be used on all types of metals, including nonferrous metals such as aluminum and stainless steel.
The main benefit of MIG welding is that it requires less training than other types of welding. This makes it an ideal choice for those who are new to welding or want to learn how to do it themselves at home.
It also allows you to make repairs quickly and easily without having to drive into town or wait for someone else to come over and fix things for you.
MIG welding machines are relatively inexpensive compared with other types of welders on the market today, which means you don’t have to spend a lot of money upfront before trying out this type of welding technique at home or in a workplace setting.
Drawbacks of Having a MIG Welder
The MIG welder is a very powerful tool that can be used to create a variety of different items. It is often used to create metal sculptures and other artistic pieces. However, there are some drawbacks to having a MIG welder. These include:
| No. | Drawbacks | Description |
| 1 | Difficult to use | Some people find that the process of using a MIG welder is very confusing, especially if they have never used one before. While there are many tutorials available online that detail how your MIG welder works, these tutorials may not always work with your specific model of machine. |
| 2 | Risk of injury | It can cause injury if not handled properly. Just like any other piece of equipment, it’s important to take proper precautions when using your MIG welder, so you do not end up getting hurt by it. |
| 3 | Mixture | One of the biggest is that it requires a mix of gas and electricity to operate. This can be inconvenient if you’re working in an area where there’s no access to power. In addition, it can be difficult to get the right mix of gas and electricity if you’re not used to working with MIG welding equipment. |
| 4 | Inefficient | Another drawback of MIG welding is that it’s not as efficient as other processes like TIG or SMAW, so it takes longer to complete projects than those methods would require. |
Wrapping Up!
Sometimes the older MIG welders still have some life in them and are worth repairing when they stop working. The repair could be as simple as replacing the thermocouple or the wire feed motor, but finding the bad component is often difficult.
In summary, if your Mig welder wire feed motor not working, don’t buy a new one. Contact the manufacturer or simply follow the above article guidelines and get it fixed!
This is often a simple fix and can save you time, money, and unnecessary replacement parts.
FAQs:
Why does my MIG welder stop feeding wire?
A combination of several things can happen to cause your MIG welder to stop feeding the wire. A loose or damaged connection, a jammed contactor, or a dirty spooler may be the culprit. Your MIG welder will not feed wire if it’s incorrectly set up and configured or if the machine is damaged.
Why is my MIG welder not working?
When your MIG welder isn’t working, the most likely cause is a bad connection. A poor connection can cause sparks or complete loss of power. Other possibilities include low gas pressure, open ground wire, damaged equipment, and loose lug nuts on the electrode holder.
What will cause a wire to feed erratically?
When a wire feeds erratically or won’t feed at all, it can be due to a variety of problems. First, make sure the wire is seated properly in the spool and that you have the correct size (usually 1/16″ or 3mm) for your machine. Then check that your power supply is working properly. If those tests are fine, try switching out the wire for a different one.
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