Hello,
I have posted here before ages ago in relation to arc welding, but will need to get some sills on my Escort van before long and couldn`t resist it when I got the chance of a SIP Handymig for £40....and yes I have read all about how Sips are not the best. But.
First thing I did was read through all the posts I could about MIG in general and this model specifically and as a result realise that this is from new an imperfect beast but with attention can give decent enough results for what I want it for, IE: auto panels.
So before even flashing an arc I have begun tinkering.
I have made up a brace for the wire feed roller bracket, stripped and regreased the gearbox, steel liners instead of the plastic, checked and tightened all electrical connections.
This machine came with a larger reel of mild steel wire, ( 5 kilo?) part used and starting to rust. I ran off the wire until at was all showing rust free, just the top two layers, It was mounted for top feed and it does seem a more sensible and direct feed route for the rollers( less angle) although all references are to use bottom feed. The only reason I can see for this is that the reel securing thread is right handed and may become undone because of the action of the reel in feeding. I intend to either find another way of securing the reel ( bearing thrust washer?) or to have it rethreaded with an anticlockwise thread.
Next will be a cooling fan, this is not a turbo model so I will rig up something like a PC 100 mm case fan with either a 12 or 5 volt motor. Any help on how I might get power to this will be appreciated!
Also a cleaner power feed to the wire feed motor. I have this in hand, someone who can read and understand circuit diagrams is looking at all the various threads on this and choosing one.
I have bought and fitted new tip and shroud for the trigger, not much else to do at that end.
It came with a full disposable of CO2 but I will try and get a pub bottle and buy some regulators, (twin) because I would like to try the Argon mix at some stage. Any clues how to get hold of pub bottles?
Appreciate any help and tips I can get on making the best of this welder, and I reckon this forum is about the best place to look for good advice.
Chris
I have posted here before ages ago in relation to arc welding, but will need to get some sills on my Escort van before long and couldn`t resist it when I got the chance of a SIP Handymig for £40....and yes I have read all about how Sips are not the best. But.
First thing I did was read through all the posts I could about MIG in general and this model specifically and as a result realise that this is from new an imperfect beast but with attention can give decent enough results for what I want it for, IE: auto panels.
So before even flashing an arc I have begun tinkering.
I have made up a brace for the wire feed roller bracket, stripped and regreased the gearbox, steel liners instead of the plastic, checked and tightened all electrical connections.
This machine came with a larger reel of mild steel wire, ( 5 kilo?) part used and starting to rust. I ran off the wire until at was all showing rust free, just the top two layers, It was mounted for top feed and it does seem a more sensible and direct feed route for the rollers( less angle) although all references are to use bottom feed. The only reason I can see for this is that the reel securing thread is right handed and may become undone because of the action of the reel in feeding. I intend to either find another way of securing the reel ( bearing thrust washer?) or to have it rethreaded with an anticlockwise thread.
Next will be a cooling fan, this is not a turbo model so I will rig up something like a PC 100 mm case fan with either a 12 or 5 volt motor. Any help on how I might get power to this will be appreciated!
Also a cleaner power feed to the wire feed motor. I have this in hand, someone who can read and understand circuit diagrams is looking at all the various threads on this and choosing one.
I have bought and fitted new tip and shroud for the trigger, not much else to do at that end.
It came with a full disposable of CO2 but I will try and get a pub bottle and buy some regulators, (twin) because I would like to try the Argon mix at some stage. Any clues how to get hold of pub bottles?
Appreciate any help and tips I can get on making the best of this welder, and I reckon this forum is about the best place to look for good advice.
Chris