Tip change

[Brent]

I have a HH135 and love it. Have never had a problem, but am wondering if there is a certain interval of weld time useage that necessitates a change if tips or other consumables? If not, how do I know when to replace the tip, etc.?

The tip has slag on it that I clean off, (dip seems to make that much easier), but some does not want to come off so easy. Is it ok to lightly sand off the excess, forget about it or replace?

Thanks.

Brent

[Stoney]

Brent, most of the time if you have burnback into the tip it should be an immediate change. If you could use the tip without stopping, the orifice would eventually get larger, and the wire would actually travel in the puddle. I've seen tips sanded, Dremeled, hacksaw, etc. just to get "a little more life" out of it. The tip is the least expensive (read: cheap) part of the equation. If it's still working fine, don't replace, I wouldn't waste time sanding it though.

As far as the nozzle, as long as you keep the inside relatively spatter free, and the outside from being used as a slag hammer , it should last pretty well. My advice would be make sure you have an extra one just in case it's a Sunday morning, and you mess up your last tip/nozzle.

Just rememebr to clean the slag when it's hot, not the next day, and you don't need to use GOBS of nozzle dip, either.

Stevie

[Bob]

more questions on the torch/tips

My local Home Depot has only Lincoln tips. Can I use those.

Second question. On an inside corner, is it OK to let the nozzle touch the work? On lighter materials calling for 1/4" stick out it seems almost necessary.

Bob

[Roger]

Re: more questions on the torch/tips

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Bob
[B]My local Home Depot has only Lincoln tips. Can I use those.

What Welder? If it is recent Hobart or Miller welder, no. If it is Lincoln welder, maybe. If your welder uses Tweco MIG gun, maybe. If it is imported welder, maybe.


Second question. On an inside corner, is it OK to let the nozzle touch the work? On lighter materials calling for 1/4" stick out it seems almost necessary.

Nozzle is electrical insulated form electrode so no problem if it touches work.