Weldclass FORCE 200MST MK2 Operating Instructions Manual page 7

Basic Operation - MIG Welding
1. Fitting Wire Spool
1.1 Open the wire feeder compartment door.
Remove the wire spool holder (18) by
threading it anticlockwise. If using 5kg/ D.200
spool, check that the 5kg spool spacer sleeve
is fitted to the spool holder. Fit the wire
spool to spool holder, ensuring that the wire
exits the spool towards the wire feeder from
bottom the spool.
1.2 To replace the spool holder, set the spool
brake tension by adjusting the spool tension
adjustment hex screw in the middle of the
spool holder. Clockwise to increase spool
brake tension and anti- clockwise to decrease.
The spool brake tension should be set so
that the spool can rotate freely, but does not
continue to rotate once the wire feed stops.
This may need to be adjusted as the wire is
used up and the spool weight decreases.
WARNING!
Excessive spool brake tension will cause wire
feeding issues and affect welding performance
as well as premature failure/ wear of wire feed
components. Insufficient brake tension will
cause the spool to 'freewheel' and the welding
wire will unravel from the spool (known as a
'birds nest')
1.3 Feed the wire from the spool through the wire
drive inlet guide (19) into the wire feeder.
2. Loading Wire Feeder
2.1 Release the wire feed tension arm (21) by
pivoting the wire feed tension adjustment
lever (20) towards you from the vertical
'locked' position.
2.2 Check the wire drive roller (23) groove
matches the selected MIG wire type and
size. The drive roller will have two different
sized grooves; the size of the groove in use
is stamped on the side of the drive roller.
For flux cored 'soft' wire, such as that used in
gasless MIG welding, the drive roller groove
has a serrated profile (known as knurled).
For solid core 'hard' MIG wire, the drive roller
groove used has a 'v' shaped profile. For
Aluminum solid core 'soft' MIG wire, the drive
roller required has a 'u' shaped groove. If
necessary, remove and change the drive roller
by unthreading the drive roller retainer (22).
Once the correct drive roller (23) is selected
and fitted and the drive roller retainer (22)
is secured in place, manually feed the wire
through the wire drive inlet guide (19),
through the drive roller groove and into the
outlet wire guide tube. Ensuring that the wire
is correctly seated in the drive roller groove,
replace the wire feed tension arm (21) and
lock it into place by pivoting the wire feed
tension adjustment lever (20) back to the
vertical position.
2.3 Adjusting wire
accomplished by winding the knob on the
tension adjustment lever (20). Clockwise will
increase tension, anticlockwise will decrease
drive tension. Ideal tension is as little as
possible, while maintaining a consistent wire
feed with no drive roller slippage.
2.4 Check all other causes of excess wire feeding
friction causing slippage first, such as;
incorrect/worn drive roller, worn/damaged
torch consumables, blocked/damaged torch
wire guide liner, before increasing wire feed
tension. There is a number scale on the
tension adjustment lever (20) to indicate the
adjustment position. The higher the number
indicated, the higher the tension that is set.
WARNING!
Before changing the feed roller or wire spool,
ensure that the mains power is switched off.
WARNING!
The use of excessive feed tension will cause
rapid and premature wear of the drive roller, the
support bearing and the drive motor/gearbox.
2.5 Connect the MIG Torch Euro Connector to the
MIG torch Euro connection socket (1) on the
front of the machine. Secure by firmly hand
tightening the threaded collar on the MIG
Torch connector clockwise.
2.6 Check that the correct matching MIG wire,
drive roller (23) and MIG torch tip are fitted.
2.7 Connect the machine to suitable mains power
using the mains input power lead (16). Switch
the mains power switch (17) to 'on' to power
up the machine. Set the welding mode switch
(6) to 'MIG' position.
FORCE 200MST
feed tension. This is
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