Hi. Seems like this forum could be useful so I'll start with a quick introduction. I'm based in Dorset and have varied interests including fixing/making stuff, machining (hobby level) and some electronics. I use a stick welder for odd-jobs but as from today I'm also the "proud" owner of a SIP Handymig Migmate -- I was told to take it home or it was going in the skip, so I took it. Most of the stuff I weld is fine with a stick welder, but a mig might come in handy once in a while.
I've no experience doing mig welding (well, I did run a bead on a test machine just once) and this appears to be a fairly basic machine that may not be worth keeping. However, it looks in decent condition (internally and externally) and I suspect has been little or never used. Wire feed works well and the voltages appear in the expected range. The gun looks to be in good condition too.
I was surprised to find there is no solenoid valve on the gas, just a tap on the regulator - is this normal with budget/older machines? It came with an empty disposable C02 bottle (I'll have to return that where it came from) and wire, so I'll have to get some gas before giving it a try. Probably the cheapest bottle I can find rather than invest any money in this until I am sure it is worth keeping. Any suggestions?
Having done a very quick search on this website I'm under the impression that some people may be adding or upgrading solenoid valves / guns on their machines. I've almost certainly got suitable fittings and solenoid valves and would be happy to give this a try to save some gas. Presumably the valve is normally placed as close as possible to the gun (for quick and synchronized release of gas) and tied in to the MIG, but now I'm wondering whether a cheap hack would be to mount the solenoid valve closer to the bottle and have an independent gas-release-switch on the gun (rather than turn the gas on/off manually at the regulator). Although not perfect, this would be very easy to implement for testing purposes.
Any comments would be most welcome.
Cheers,
Brian
I've no experience doing mig welding (well, I did run a bead on a test machine just once) and this appears to be a fairly basic machine that may not be worth keeping. However, it looks in decent condition (internally and externally) and I suspect has been little or never used. Wire feed works well and the voltages appear in the expected range. The gun looks to be in good condition too.
I was surprised to find there is no solenoid valve on the gas, just a tap on the regulator - is this normal with budget/older machines? It came with an empty disposable C02 bottle (I'll have to return that where it came from) and wire, so I'll have to get some gas before giving it a try. Probably the cheapest bottle I can find rather than invest any money in this until I am sure it is worth keeping. Any suggestions?
Having done a very quick search on this website I'm under the impression that some people may be adding or upgrading solenoid valves / guns on their machines. I've almost certainly got suitable fittings and solenoid valves and would be happy to give this a try to save some gas. Presumably the valve is normally placed as close as possible to the gun (for quick and synchronized release of gas) and tied in to the MIG, but now I'm wondering whether a cheap hack would be to mount the solenoid valve closer to the bottle and have an independent gas-release-switch on the gun (rather than turn the gas on/off manually at the regulator). Although not perfect, this would be very easy to implement for testing purposes.
Any comments would be most welcome.
Cheers,
Brian