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--- member_pages:paul_mazaitis:documentation:mig_maintenance [2024/09/23 13:11] – [Tank Management] paul
+++ member_pages:paul_mazaitis:documentation:mig_maintenance [2024/09/25 02:52] (current) – [Assembling the gun.] paul
@@ Line 25: / Line 25: @@
 Do not move cylinders without a cap on the cylinder, securing the valve.
-===== Remove a Gas Cylinder, MIG welder =====
+===== Change a Gas Cylinder, MIG welder =====
 Close the valve on top of the gas cylinder.
@@ Line 71: / Line 71: @@
 TODO: add/film a demonstration of soapy water showing a leak?
+===== Changing the Wire in the MIG Welder =====
+==== Keep tension on the spool at all times. ====
+If you are changing out a spool that still has wire on it, make sure to keep tension on the wire at all times so that the wire does not spool out and birds nest. Hold the wire end firmly, or use a piece of tape to keep the spool from loosening.
+==== Pull old wire from the welder. ====
+  - Secure the end of any wire left on the spool.
+  - Flip the black lever knob down to take pressure off the rollers.
+  - Flip the upper roller assembly up to get access to the wire track.
+  - Pull any remaining wire our of the roller assembly and gun tube.
+  - Take off wire spool cap.
+  - Remove old wire spool.
+==== Set up the welder for new wire. ====
+Install the new spool in the welder on the spindle.
+Replace spindle cap to secure the spool in place.
+Check the wire size. We usually use 30 thou wire (30/1000 of an inch). The guide rollers installed in the MIG welder are sized for 30 thou wire. If you are swapping out to a different gauge of wire, you may need to change the roller guides for best results.
+==== Feed new wire through the welder ====
+  - Detach new wire end from spool (maintain tension!)
+  - Feed wire end through collar in roller assembly.
+  - Feed wire over lower roller guide.
+  - Check the wire's progress through the eyelet in the roller assembly.
+  - Lower upper roller assembly.
+  - Pull lever knob up to lock the roller assembly.
+  - Straighten the gun hose as much as possible.
+  - Turn on welder.
+  - Pull gun trigger to feed wire down the length of the hose.
+Turn the lever knob to adjust pressure on the wire in the roller assmebly.
+==== If the wire is jammed. ====
+  - Secure the end of any wire left on the spool.
+  - Flip the black lever knob down to take pressure off the rollers.
+  - Flip the upper roller assembly up to get access to the wire track.
+  - Undo the gun tube thumbscrew (store it in the threaded hole next to the the gun tube thumbscrew hole)
+  - Pull the gun tube (friction fit only)
+  - Pull any remaining wire our of the roller assembly and gun tube.
+  - Replace gun tube in welder.
+  - Secure the gun tube with the thumbscrew (thumbscrew should mate through to the copper ring in the gun rube)
+  - Feed new wire through the rollers and up the gun tube.
+===== Servicing the MIG Gun =====
+Before servicing the MIG gun, unplug the welder.
+==== Take apart the gun. ====
+  - Loosen the lower locking ring a quarter turn, and then pull it downward off the gun onto the hose.
+  - Loosen the upper locking ring a quarter turn, and then pull it upward off of the gun and over the nozzle. Put the upper locking right in a safe place.
+  - Gently pry apart the halves of the gun casing (friction fit).
+==== Maintenance ====
+Inspect the copper stranded cable at the base of the gun for any damage.
+==== Changing the wire sheath. ====
+Use two 1/2" wrenches to loosen the brass sheath assembly.
+==== Assemble the gun. ====
+  - Gently but firmly press the halves of the gun casing together (friction fit)
+    * Make sure the trigger is properly fitted to the casing.
+    * Make sure the trigger is correctly oriented with the nozzle.
+  - Slide the lower locking ring up the hose, line up the tabs and slots, pull the ring up onto the gun casing and tighten a quarter turn.
+  - Slide the upper locking ring down over the nozzle,  line up the tabs and slots,  push the ring down onto the gun casing and tighten a quarter turn.