0558102380 - ESAB .045 & 1/16 VK Knurled Drive Roll Set

Technical Overview of ESAB 0558102380 Feed Rolls

The ESAB 0558102380 is a specialized set of feed rolls designed for industrial wire feeding systems. This set includes two rolls featuring a VK Groove geometry, also known as a Knurled V-Groove. This specific groove profile is engineered for use with tubular wires, such as Flux-Cored Arc Welding (FCAW) and Metal-Cored Arc Welding (MCAW) wires. Unlike standard V-groove rolls which rely on friction against a solid wire surface, or U-groove rolls designed for soft aluminum, the VK profile utilizes a textured, knurled surface to bite into the softer shell of cored wires. This provides positive traction with lower tension settings, preventing the deformation or crushing of the wire's tubular structure which can lead to poor arc performance and liner clogging.

The rolls are dual-sized, accommodating both .045-inch (1.2mm) and 1/16-inch (1.6mm) wire diameters, offering versatility for shops that switch between these common heavy-fabrication sizes. Manufactured from hardened steel, these components are built to withstand the abrasive nature of knurled feeding and the high duty cycles of industrial welding environments. Proper selection of drive rolls is critical for maintaining consistent wire feed speed (WFS), which directly correlates to amperage and penetration in CV welding processes. Using the correct VK groove for cored wires eliminates slippage, reduces the risk of "bird-nesting" at the feeder inlet, and ensures a stable electrical stick-out.

This set is a genuine ESAB replacement part, ensuring strict tolerance adherence for concentricity and bore fitment. Compatibility should be verified against the specific ESAB wire feeder model's parts list to ensure proper gear engagement and alignment with the wire guide system.