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View Full Version : ThermalArc Fab 210 wire spool erratic tension


sail2u
02-20-2008, 02:10 AM
I am an occasional (hobbiest) welder, and when my Lincoln SP 135 was stolen and the insurance paid off, I got a new Fab 210 for only $175 more.

When using it today, I could only lay about 1- 1 1/2 inches when the wire would sputter and restart an arc. I initially thought the drive rollers were not tight enough, but it turned out that the spool tension was erratic, with a tighter spot every revolution. This is after burning about 1/2 10# spool.

I suspect this problem is not great news to anyone, but the nut to adjust the tension is recessed and metric, requiring a socket wrench. The parts list does not indicate the size of this nut, so I trooped off to local Ace Hardware to find a socket but it is not 21 or 22 mm, and they didn't have larger sizes, so I found a 1" socket would work. (my toolchest only had up to 19 mm and 13/16").

Next step is to disassemble to see if I can fix the hotspot.

Cruizer
02-28-2008, 10:38 AM
The roll is spinning on a straight shaft, it is likely that the holder is missing the metal washer behind it