Drive Roller

[Steve W]

First of all let me say I really enjoy all of the pictures of the projects from everyone. One of these days I'll get some of my own posted.
I have a Miller Challenger 172. When I bought it it came with the knurled drive roller for .030 - .035 flux core wire so I ordered the drive roll for solid wire since thats all I use. It's stamped for .024 - .035 wire and only has one groove. I decided to buy a 10# roll of .035 solid wire and give it a try. It work great for just a little while but now it slips so bad on the drive roll I'am having to use the knurled drive roller to push it thru. I've blown out the liner and the tip is new and looks good. Does Miller make a nother drive roller for this machine that would work better. I'am afraid the knurled roller will cause the wire to ruin my liner and eat my tips up since it bits into the wire so much. The groove on the other drive roller just doesn't seem big enough for the .035 wire. I believe it's called a u-groove roller. Thanks for the help.
Steve

[Scott V]

Steve,I had a early mm 130 with the smooth drive and it worked ok.Then I bought a 130 xp that had your setup,it was for all types of wire.I would just use that one,because the little millers or any other small migs don't have a top geared drive roll.That makes all the difference in the world.So just blow your liner out every so often.I think that the best you can do.I never had any feed or tip problems with mine.

[Steve W]

Thanks Scott

Scott thanks abunch. If I understand you correctly then you used the knurled drive roller that came with the 130xp. The one with the grips down in the groove.

[Scott V]

Steve,that is correct.that roller is a jack of all trades.