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How to Repair a Wire Feed Welder

Wire feed welders -- also known as MIG (metal inert gas) welders -- use a continuous solid wire feed and external gas supply to produce welds, and are a vital tool for mechanics, metal-workers and avid DIY-ers -- so it is vital to keep them in good working order. From blockages to issues with the voltage supply, there are problems you should be aware of and methods of troubleshooting and repair which can help find the solution.

Instructions

- 1
  Replace the tip of the welding gun if it has become damaged. This is a relatively simple process of unscrewing and removing the tip before replacing it with a new one. If the tip has merely become clogged then clean it and re-attach it.
- 2
  Tighten the wing nut down slightly on the side of the welding unit. This is responsible for spring tension on the wire feed unit, and this tightening process should fix issues with the welder not feeding the wire.
- 3
  Reduce the voltage of the welding arc if you are finding the arc hard to control. This is a common and effective fix for issues such as difficult arc control, uneven welds, or even when you are burning holes in your project metal.
- 4
  Purchase a low pressure compressed air unit, which is a vital deep cleaning tool. Use this to thoroughly clean the unit, getting into every crevice of the welder. Any blockages can seriously affect air passages and should be immediately rectified.

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