Seeking Help!

[madein1978]

I'm a new welder, I have just taught myself how to weld but I have ran into a problem with my welder. My machine is a SIP Migmate 150 and I was practicing plug welding yesterday, I must have had the wire speed too slow for the wire burned back to the torch and welded itself to the contact tip. I tried to chip it off but it didn't work, I tried to unscrew the contact tip and it sheared off! I believe I need to replace the swan neck on the torch, which I have obtained a part number for and I'm placing an order for a new one. My question is, how do you actually replace it? I've had the handset open and it looks fairly straightforward, but I would like to know exactly how to do it, as I intended to move onto my project this week, this has scuppered that for the time being. Thanks in advance!

 

[markthewelder]

extract broken tip from torch

before you buy a new torch try this:
the portion of broken tip left inside the torch is only soft copper, so easy to get 'a bite at' with something like a tiny electrical screwdriver.
if this fails to grip enough, try a tiny l/h screw extractor.
The threaded portion also does not 'bottom out' in the torch, & so is normally easy to remove (anti-clockwise).
If it was put in cross threaded, you have a problem!
Next time you burn back to the tip & the wire doesn't self release easily, try twisting the whole torch around instead, if that fails & pliers can't grip the wire stub, zip a bit off the end of the tip with a grinder 'till fresh solid wire appears, then twist the whole torch again to release the wire.
If that fails, try manaully winding back the wire out of the tip, remove the tip & clean it out with Gas 'Burning Nozzle' Cleaners.
These are like tiny rotary files & just the job for cleaning through your tips, & available from all welding suppliers & cheap too!
Better than keep binning tips every day!
When setting up your welder for plug welding, you will find it helpfull to increase the 'wire stickout' to about 10mm at least, this allows you to still keep up the heat for plug welding & keep the wire off the tip.
As far as replacing the torch neck, every one I see is different on the small machines.
The ones that screw apart are very straightforward if using oe parts, the ones that are crimped are near impossible to get back together once 'carefully dismantled'!.
But you will find that a new neck is only a fiver less than a whole new torch!
regards.

 

[weldequip]

New Swan-Neck Assembly

I have the replacement Neck Assemblies in stock @£7.95 DELIVERED!
Check out my listings on eBay.
weldequip

 

[Justme]

Hi Weldequip,

Do you have one of those for my Alweco 210amp mig? Just broke the bloody tip off in the neck. Thought I was ok as I have a gas diffuser in my new tips bag but on checking this one does not have a sepperate diffuser. Would I be better fitting a better gun with replaceable difusers to my existing 4m euro tourch? Thought I might change the liner for a better one too as existing one is steel coil. With all that in mind would a complete tourch be better assuming all my existing contact tips will fit, 6mm I think)?

Cheers
Justme
PS looked on your eBay stuff but they dont look right.

 

[weldequip]

Send me a picture of the torch handle to:-welders@supanet.com & I will identify it for you.
weldequip

 

[Justme]

Email sent.
Thanks

 

[weldequip]

Torch Swan-Neck Assembly

On it's way to you.

 

[Justme]

Thanks.

Will let you know when it arrives.

Justme

 

[Justme]

Hi,
Arrived today. Exactly right part. First class service.
Thanks
Justme

 

[Masked Marauder]

I do like a happy ending....