EXPERT CLINIC
EuroTorches are pretty common now but there’s still small welders out there with hard-wired torches, meaning you can’t change it. Very often the unit you get with a big welder is totally unsuitable for welding thin stuff so it’ll need swapping to something smaller. A EuroTorch simply unplugs once unlocked, while the wire feeds down the middle… Ideal wire size is 0.8 mm — don’t be tempted with 0.6 mm — although some smaller welders use it — as it hasn’t got enough body to be pushed smoothly down the liner. What usually happens is it snags inside the welder’s casing; filling that up with wayward wire! A big welder means you can get a full size welding reel inside it — these are often cheaper to buy and obviously last ages but there’s down sides too, which we’ll come on to. There are two main types of reel — machine wound and precision wound — you can see the machine wound’s smoother and is the one you really need for car bodywork. Got a problem with your classic Ford? Then we can help. Equally, you need the right size liner and tip, this latter bit, is hidden behind the pull off shroud on the end of the torch, is usually brass and has its size stamped on its side. Don’t be tempted to put 0.8 mm wire in a 1 mm liner as you’ll get inconsistent unreliable wire feed as the wire continuously bounces off the side walls as it zig-zags its way down the feed tube. Best is one that fits — again, resulting in a better chance of smooth welds. There will be a cover on the side or on the top, which hinges or lifts off; allowing access to the wire drum and the pinch roller system, and in our case, the stitch and spot and burn-back controls. When you fit the reel, make sure it’s round the right way — feeding from the bottom. It might sound obvious but it’s surprising how many get it wrong — the wire feed then ends up awkward and inconsistent.