Yes it is just CO2 in the bottle but I assume that it’s refillable rather than a large disposable. I’m glad that it looks good to a trained eye! This next questions is probably definitely covered in the other section on the forum but.... What am I looking for when I view it? Thanks again to everyone!
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Nick DV
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It's refillable but you really want Argon/CO2 mix
Cobbler
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Get him to show it working! If it works, not much else you can do apart from obvious damage. Be prepared to replace the wire, if it’s rusty, even slightly, not worth using, sometimes you can run off the top layers & save it though, but if not chuck it.
That SIP 170 has the ubiquitous wire feeder that features so heavily in the mods covered in the SIP section here.
No matter how clean it is, I wouldn't buy it unless it was 'scrap money'.
And for a learner ... walk away. Why make things harder than necessary?
No matter how clean it is, I wouldn't buy it unless it was 'scrap money'.
And for a learner ... walk away. Why make things harder than necessary?
willie.macleod
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@fred_ I've got the same SIP welder in my garage, bought it new and have had it for many years. It works, paid for itself many times over. Would be fine for patching up a campervan, couple of points though:
It's a 170A machine and if you want to use it on its max setting you will need to put a 16A plug on it. Probably be fine for you on the 13A plug for the campervan work.
The regulator and gas bottle on it are might be worth very little - I think that might be a mini bottle regulator and the CO2 bottle that comes with it may be hard to swap for a replacement/refill. Definitely find out who/where the previous owner was getting his refills from and speak with them before purchasing to see if they will continue to refill as otherwise you might be looking at what's left in the bottle and that's it. Argon/CO2 mix better for thinner steel, but a deposit and 1st fill of a rent free bottle will be more than half the cost of this setup.
Also, he needs to chuck in the welding mask as well, no point him keeping it when he's sold the welder! Assuming it is a no-name brand standard auto darkening type, £15 buys you a new one on ebay.
It's a 170A machine and if you want to use it on its max setting you will need to put a 16A plug on it. Probably be fine for you on the 13A plug for the campervan work.
The regulator and gas bottle on it are might be worth very little - I think that might be a mini bottle regulator and the CO2 bottle that comes with it may be hard to swap for a replacement/refill. Definitely find out who/where the previous owner was getting his refills from and speak with them before purchasing to see if they will continue to refill as otherwise you might be looking at what's left in the bottle and that's it. Argon/CO2 mix better for thinner steel, but a deposit and 1st fill of a rent free bottle will be more than half the cost of this setup.
Also, he needs to chuck in the welding mask as well, no point him keeping it when he's sold the welder! Assuming it is a no-name brand standard auto darkening type, £15 buys you a new one on ebay.
Marketplace isn't good for MIGs, IMO. Here's a rather rare example of very good pricing on a small Clarke:
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Closer to home, this model is better than a similar SIP/Cosmo. I had one briefly.
This is typical of what I acquire, neglected and needing some attention:
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Closer to home, this model is better than a similar SIP/Cosmo. I had one briefly.
This is typical of what I acquire, neglected and needing some attention:
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Pigeon_Droppings2
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I wouldn't recommend a migmate as a first welder...I had one and it was bloomin awful....and I bought mine new! If you know how to weld it will work...but for a beginner I would say no.
If the budget is small I'd say go with a cheap inverter machine....they may have questionable reliability but at least they'll work! Something like the Rohr/Blackline would be better than a second hand migmate I think.
My migmate had power buttons...inverters have continuously variable power....this means they are less fiddly to setup I think.
If the budget is small I'd say go with a cheap inverter machine....they may have questionable reliability but at least they'll work! Something like the Rohr/Blackline would be better than a second hand migmate I think.
My migmate had power buttons...inverters have continuously variable power....this means they are less fiddly to setup I think.
Thanks everyone! However, I’m probably more confused now than before Some people saying yay, some saying nay! The rohrs and blacklines seem out of my budget, especially when I need to factor gas into it as well. I did look on eBay but they seem to be mostly new items which only left marketplace. I’m not sure if there are any specialist welder selling websites? Thanks again to everyone
Pigeon_Droppings2
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The Rohr 200a is around £220 I think on Amazon...how much was the migmate?
No idea what the service/backup/warranty would be like....but can't imagine it would be worse than a second hand migmate.
The migmate was so frustrating I actually gave up trying to learn....it was about 10-15 years later when I came back to it. I bought a Kemppi (inverter machine)....cost a fortune but anyone can weld with it....just plug it in and it works.
If you have someone experienced who can help you then that's different....I was trying to teach myself.
No idea what the service/backup/warranty would be like....but can't imagine it would be worse than a second hand migmate.
The migmate was so frustrating I actually gave up trying to learn....it was about 10-15 years later when I came back to it. I bought a Kemppi (inverter machine)....cost a fortune but anyone can weld with it....just plug it in and it works.
If you have someone experienced who can help you then that's different....I was trying to teach myself.
willie.macleod
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I'd go see the welder and test it out. Take a couple of scrap bits of sheet steel of the type you are likely to be working with and get the vendor/yourself to weld them together to prove it works and can be used to lay down a bead you are happy with. Test the welds by bending them over, if you are happy with the results then you at least you know it will do the job.
Thanks Willie, that was sort of my logic. If it can be seen welding nicely then I know that, with lots of practice, I can also make it repeat at home.
The rohr is £220 on eBay as well and comes with a year’s warranty, but then I would need to factor in a gas bottle and regulator too! My niece’s partner is a good welder (he says) but he learnt via an apprenticeship and now welds on the trains so doubt he’s ever used lower end equipment. He has previously offered to help me out, though. However, he is in Liverpool and I’m in Kent until august
The rohr is £220 on eBay as well and comes with a year’s warranty, but then I would need to factor in a gas bottle and regulator too! My niece’s partner is a good welder (he says) but he learnt via an apprenticeship and now welds on the trains so doubt he’s ever used lower end equipment. He has previously offered to help me out, though. However, he is in Liverpool and I’m in Kent until august
The seller has got back to me. It’s just pub gas in the bottle but he does have an empty argon mix bottle too. I assume that if I can see it welding with pure co2 then it will weld just as well/better with an argon mix? Regulators don’t seem too expensive on the web. Thanks as always
I know I keep replying to my own thread, sorry! There’s actually a part used rohr 200a on Amazon for £180. But then I would need to factor in the cost of a bottle and reg too. Seems to be about £100 for a deposit and first fill and then another £15-£20 for a regulator. The SIP seller has said I can have both co2 and argon mix bottles in the £200. They are 9l bottles and apparently the regulator can be swapped between them. I am very confused. Silly question alert, but some regulators have two pressure dials and some have one, why is this?
Pigeon_Droppings2
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On mine the regulator shows the bottle pressure on one dial and the flow on the other dial....turning the knob adjusts the flow rate.
I sold my migmate on eBay....a guy turned up and I gave him a good demonstration on 2mm-3mm steel angle iron
....it was fine on the thicker stuff but was hopeless at anything less than 1mm...just make sure the steel you test it on is what you'll be using it on. He messed me about on the bid price so really I didn't feel bad at all about it.
Also check that the bottles can be refilled....some places might be funny about the bottle dates.
Good thing about Amazon is if it doesn't work you know you can get your money back....I think the Rohr and the blackline are basically the same machine?
I sold my migmate on eBay....a guy turned up and I gave him a good demonstration on 2mm-3mm steel angle iron
....it was fine on the thicker stuff but was hopeless at anything less than 1mm...just make sure the steel you test it on is what you'll be using it on. He messed me about on the bid price so really I didn't feel bad at all about it.Also check that the bottles can be refilled....some places might be funny about the bottle dates.
Good thing about Amazon is if it doesn't work you know you can get your money back....I think the Rohr and the blackline are basically the same machine?
Out of interest @Pigeon_Droppings2 what did you sell yours for?
Best of luck, Fred. The CO2 cylinder will probably be worthless. If the Ar/CO2 cyl. is a Hobbyweld you will be able to exchange it, so it has some value, based on a c. £70 deposit. They have a plastic date tag under the valve (10 year test life).
£200 is still too much for one, my bias aside.
£200 is still too much for one, my bias aside.
