KP1697-035C - Lincoln Electric KP1697-035C Knurled Drive Roll Kit for .030-.035 Cored Wire

Technical Overview of the Lincoln Electric KP1697-035C

The Lincoln Electric KP1697-035C is a specialized drive roll kit engineered specifically for the transport of tubular welding wires, including flux-cored and metal-cored varieties. Unlike solid wires, cored wires possess a hollow, tubular cross-section filled with flux or metal powder, making them more susceptible to deformation under pressure. Standard V-groove rolls, designed for solid wire, often require excessive tension to grip cored wire, leading to crushing and subsequent feeding issues. This kit solves that engineering challenge by utilizing a knurled groove design. The teeth of the knurl bite gently into the surface of the wire, providing positive traction with significantly less down-pressure, thereby preserving the structural integrity of the wire.

This kit is designed for use with Lincoln Electric 2-roll wire feed systems, commonly found in the LF-72 feeder and various Power MIG series machines. It accommodates wire diameters ranging from .030 inches (0.8 mm) to .035 inches (0.9 mm), covering the most common sizes for light-to-medium industrial fabrication and maintenance applications. The inclusion of a split wire guide is a critical technical feature; it supports the wire immediately as it exits the drive rolls, minimizing the unsupported length of wire. This drastically reduces the probability of "bird nesting" or buckling, a common failure mode when pushing softer cored wires through a feeder.

Installation of the KP1697-035C is straightforward, allowing operators to quickly switch between solid and cored wire setups. The kit includes two drive rolls (top and bottom) and the necessary guide tubes to ensure a complete conversion of the drive path. By using the correct drive roll geometry, operators ensure consistent wire feed speeds, which is directly correlated to arc stability and weld quality.