How to Replace a MIG Gun

The MIG gun directs the wire from the welder to the work piece you are welding. Replacing a major component such as a MIG gun is more complicated than exchanging the consumables located in the tip of the MIG gun, as you need to remove the lead that connects the MIG gun to the welder as one unit. Due to the high-voltage used in the welding process, you must ensure that you take precautions to maintain your safety while replacing the MIG gun.

Instructions

1

Turn off and unplug the MIG welder to eliminate any chances of electrocution as you replace the MIG gun.

2

Pull the copper cup off the end of the MIG gun and clip the MIG wire extending beyond the end of the exposed welding tip with wire cutters.

3

Loosen and remove the exposed welding tip by turning it counter-clockwise with needle-nose pliers and set the MIG gun aside.

4

Open the side cover of the MIG welder, release the feeder wheel per the welding operating manual and spin the spool of MIG wire counter-clockwise to pull the wire from the MIG gun and lead. After the end of the wire releases from the lead, hook the wire onto the spool to hold the wire in place.

5

Loosen the screw holding the end of the welding lead to the MIG welder. To loosen the screw, you may need to use a regular screwdriver, Allen wrench or fingers, depending on the manufacturer of your MIG welder.

6

Disconnect the power plug that extends from the MIG welder to the base of the welding lead by pulling gently on the plug with one hand and slide the freed lead from the MIG welder.

7

Slide the end of the new MIG gun into the MIG welder and secure the lead with the holding screw you loosened in Step 5.

8

Unhook the MIG wire from the wire spool, clip 3 inches from the end of the wire with the wire cutters, slide the end of the MIG wire into the end of the lead and secure the feeder wheel to hold the wire in place.

9

Close the side cover of the MIG welder, reconnect the welder's power and depress the trigger of the MIG gun to feed the wire to the end of the MIG gun.

10

Replace the welding tip with the needle-nose pliers and push the cup onto the end of the MIG gun to complete the installation of the new MIG gun.