I have a Sipmate 195 Mig welder like this one: http://www.concepttools.co.uk/p/SIP-TOPMIG-TURBO-195-WHEEL-MOU-1772.aspx
Before people start laughing and posting comments that it's a fault with the workman and not the tool, I've watched a lot of Mig Youtube videos and read about technique a lot of times. I've spoken to several welders and their descriptions of what should be happening is not what's happening for me!
I'm starting to wonder is there could be a fault with the machine. When welding at low settings (1 - 3 of the 6 power settings) it takes ages before there is a consistent/continuous arc. So the first 10mm of weld is splattered with no penetration before it starts laying an ok bead. The arc is inconsistent, lots of splatter and just makes a mess.
It seems to be much better at higher settings. I've successfully welded two heavy dity 4x4 bumpers from 4mm and 6mm wall 50 x 50 box section. The problem is mainly with thinner metals 0.8 to 1.2mm thick.
I keep the gun at a 10degree angle from vertical, 9mm stick out, argon gas at 10l/m, indoors, clean metal.
Other reasons why I'm starting to wonder if there is a fault with the machine: when I opened it up the inside of the welder looks like it once blew and was fixed. There was a bad connection on the earth joint inside which I cleaned up and that improved the arc a bit.
Also, sometimes there is a delay in the arc starting, as through there is a bad connection of the earth clamp is not properly connected. This is even though the metal is clean(ish). It happens in scenarios where I would expect an instant arc.
I want to get some opinions first and then I will ask someone to come in and take a look at the machine.
I've never used any other machine so I don't have anything to compare against.
Before people start laughing and posting comments that it's a fault with the workman and not the tool, I've watched a lot of Mig Youtube videos and read about technique a lot of times. I've spoken to several welders and their descriptions of what should be happening is not what's happening for me!
I'm starting to wonder is there could be a fault with the machine. When welding at low settings (1 - 3 of the 6 power settings) it takes ages before there is a consistent/continuous arc. So the first 10mm of weld is splattered with no penetration before it starts laying an ok bead. The arc is inconsistent, lots of splatter and just makes a mess.
It seems to be much better at higher settings. I've successfully welded two heavy dity 4x4 bumpers from 4mm and 6mm wall 50 x 50 box section. The problem is mainly with thinner metals 0.8 to 1.2mm thick.
I keep the gun at a 10degree angle from vertical, 9mm stick out, argon gas at 10l/m, indoors, clean metal.
Other reasons why I'm starting to wonder if there is a fault with the machine: when I opened it up the inside of the welder looks like it once blew and was fixed. There was a bad connection on the earth joint inside which I cleaned up and that improved the arc a bit.
Also, sometimes there is a delay in the arc starting, as through there is a bad connection of the earth clamp is not properly connected. This is even though the metal is clean(ish). It happens in scenarios where I would expect an instant arc.
I want to get some opinions first and then I will ask someone to come in and take a look at the machine.
I've never used any other machine so I don't have anything to compare against.
