About 10 years ago I decided to I wanted to try out welding and bought a cheap Gasless SIP Migmate.
I initially didn't get on very well, and things got worse when I changed the standard wire.. To cut a long story short, I switched to Gas (CO2) and got on much better and have been quite happy with my abilities and the performance of the welder..
The SIP works well for thick(ish) material, but is rubbish for thin/low current work.. Mainly due to the poor wire feed which is inconsistent and uncontrollable at slow speeds. THere just doesn't seem to be enough torque/grip on the feed rollers and it seems incapable of feeding wire slowly.
The problem seems to be (and I have read this is a known issue) is that the rollers arn't tight enough to grip the wire.. AND.. The Torque of the motor isn't high enough at slow speed.. So if you get the wire feeding right at high current, and then move to a lower setting.. The wire automatically slows down, but they simply add 'resistors' to the feed power to the motor, so it simply can't drive the wire at low speeds.
In truth, it only comes out a few times a year, for making the odd bracket or repairs so its fine.. But its got to a point where I want something better..
So I just wonder what people think. What would be a good upgrade from a SIP (and please resist the urge to say "anything"
).
Assuming money wasn't a concern, my only criteria is that it works from a 13A 3 pin plug.
I don't really need Gas-Less, as I doubt I will ever go back to that again.. So what is a good DIY mig.. Something which will be notably better than my SIP.
Clarke is an obvious choice, but most of their tools look the same as cheap unbranded products, so have always wondered whether their welders were the same.
This is an obvious choice:
http://www.wilstar.co.uk/products/2/2/clarke_mig160tm_mig_welder_the_welding_centre_surbiton/
Although I am not convinced its designed for a 13A plug...
I look forwards to any thoughts or advice that you have.
Jon
I initially didn't get on very well, and things got worse when I changed the standard wire.. To cut a long story short, I switched to Gas (CO2) and got on much better and have been quite happy with my abilities and the performance of the welder..
The SIP works well for thick(ish) material, but is rubbish for thin/low current work.. Mainly due to the poor wire feed which is inconsistent and uncontrollable at slow speeds. THere just doesn't seem to be enough torque/grip on the feed rollers and it seems incapable of feeding wire slowly.
The problem seems to be (and I have read this is a known issue) is that the rollers arn't tight enough to grip the wire.. AND.. The Torque of the motor isn't high enough at slow speed.. So if you get the wire feeding right at high current, and then move to a lower setting.. The wire automatically slows down, but they simply add 'resistors' to the feed power to the motor, so it simply can't drive the wire at low speeds.
In truth, it only comes out a few times a year, for making the odd bracket or repairs so its fine.. But its got to a point where I want something better..
So I just wonder what people think. What would be a good upgrade from a SIP (and please resist the urge to say "anything"
).Assuming money wasn't a concern, my only criteria is that it works from a 13A 3 pin plug.
I don't really need Gas-Less, as I doubt I will ever go back to that again.. So what is a good DIY mig.. Something which will be notably better than my SIP.
Clarke is an obvious choice, but most of their tools look the same as cheap unbranded products, so have always wondered whether their welders were the same.
This is an obvious choice:
http://www.wilstar.co.uk/products/2/2/clarke_mig160tm_mig_welder_the_welding_centre_surbiton/
Although I am not convinced its designed for a 13A plug...
I look forwards to any thoughts or advice that you have.
Jon
I don't think you'd be disappointed. Nick.
