SHOW PRICES INCLUDING VAT
Trustpilot
Click to visit the Rapid Blog - Supporting welders every step of the way
WE HAVE SOME GREAT LIMITED-TIME OFFERS - CLICK HERE TO VIEW THEM WE SHIP WORLDWIDE    /    All UK ORDERS GREATER THAN £75 EX VAT DELIVERED FREE    /    WE SHIP WORLDWIDE    /    ALL EUROPEAN ORDERS GREATER THAN £500.00 ex VAT DELIVERED FREE    /    WE SHIP WORLDWIDE

PATON ProMIG 250-15-2 Parts

PATON ProMIG 250-15-2 Parts FAQs

Guidance on choosing, setting up and looking after the drive rollers and torch parts used on a MIG wire feed system.

Which drive roller groove do I need for solid, flux-cored and aluminium wire?icon-minus-redicon-plus-red

The groove shape has to suit the wire. A smooth V-groove is normally used for hard solid wires such as mild and stainless steel. Flux-cored wire is hollow, so it generally needs a knurled (toothed) V-groove or similar profile that grips without crushing the core. Soft aluminium wire needs a smooth U-groove so the wire is supported rather than squashed.

A cogged U-groove is also used for very soft cored wires. If you are unsure, check the wire maker's recommendation and the feeder manual before ordering.

How do I match the roller to the wire diameter?icon-minus-redicon-plus-red

The groove size must match the wire diameter, as well as the wire type. A groove that is too small can shave or damage the wire, and one that is too large can lose grip and let the wire slip. Many rollers have two grooves, one on each face, for two neighbouring wire sizes, and fitting the roller the wrong way round can leave the wrong groove in use.

Rollers are normally marked with the groove size, but marking styles vary, so check the roller itself and the feeder manual. Fit the groove that matches the wire in use, and check the guide tubes match the wire size as well.

How tight should I set the drive roller tension?icon-minus-redicon-plus-red

Use the setting in the machine manual or the wire maker's advice if there is one. If not, release the tension, then tighten it gradually until the wire feeds steadily, and no more. Too little tension lets the wire slip, while too much can squash or deform the wire and lead to jams or bird-nesting.

A common check is to feed the wire against a gloved hand or a non-conductive surface at the torch end, with the torch pointed away from you and the manual's safe-feeding method followed. The wire should push out steadily, and the rollers should slip rather than the wire buckling if it is held. Never grip live wire bare-handed or put fingers near the rollers. Reset the tension each time you change the rollers or wire type.

Why is flux-cored wire more sensitive to roller pressure?icon-minus-redicon-plus-red

Flux-cored wire has a hollow tube filled with flux, so it can be flattened or deformed more easily than solid wire. Raising the pressure to cure a feeding problem can push teeth from knurled rollers into the wire, and those marks then wear the liner, guide tubes and contact tip.

Rather than adding pressure, check that you have the correct knurled roller for the wire, that the groove size is right, and that the liner and tip are in good condition. Use the lowest pressure that feeds smoothly.

How can I tell that a drive roller is worn?icon-minus-redicon-plus-red

Signs include the wire slipping even when the tension is correct, uneven or jerky feeding, shavings or dust building up around the feeder, and a groove that looks widened, flattened or has lost its sharp teeth (on a knurled roller). Knurled rollers tend to wear faster than smooth ones.

It is good practice to look at the rollers each time a new spool is fitted. When a roller is replaced, check the guide tubes and liner too, as a worn guide tube can bring back the same feed resistance.

How do I clean the drive rollers, and how often?icon-minus-redicon-plus-red

Take the rollers off from time to time and clean the grooves with a wire brush to remove drawing compound, dust and dirt that builds up from the wire. Do it with the machine switched off and the supply isolated. Check the grooves for wear while they are out.

There is no single interval that suits everyone, because it depends on how much you weld, the wire type and the maker's guidance. Using a clean wire path and suitable wire cleaner or lubricant helps, but they will not cure a worn roller.