Beguiner looking for advice

[Richards feckless welding]

I have decided to teach myself to weld and have just acquired a second hand Cebora Pocket Turbo 130 and I now have lots of questions:

I believe that it is currently set up for gas MIG welding, I want to start with Flux core MIG, what will I need to change in the welder? Will the nozzles and the drive wheels need to be changed?

It needs a new earth clamp, any advice on what to buy?

What size of flux core wire would be a good starting point for an absolute beguiner to practice with?

What other equipment should I buy? I am already thinking of an auto darkening helmet (Any advice?), a pair of leather gloves, a wire brush, a chipping hammer, magnetic welding magnets, what have I missed?

Which weld joints are best to start with? I am guessing plate, butt welds?

Should I push or drag to begin with?

Does anyone know what thickness range this particular welder is suitable for?

I would like to attend a beginers welding course, but, being based in the South East Cumbria region, there is nothing available in the next few months, are there any welders in the area (Up to 50 miles) that would be willing to offer me some practical hands on advice in the area?

Thanks in advance for any advice posted, it is all appreciated.

 

[Shedendman]

MIG Welding Tutorial, Techniques and Practical

 

[eddie49]

Hello and welcome to the Forum!

The Cebora Pocket Turbo 130 is a well-known and respected early transformer MIG welder, made in Italy.
Regarding flux core: the Lidl/Parkside wire works quite well. It can sometimes be found in-store, or from resellers on eBay. Generally 0.9mm is the most common size for flux core, and if the welder is presently set up for 0.8mm solid wire with gas, the wire drive roller and torch tip will usually run 0.9 fluxcore as well. If not, it is probably set for 0.6mm, and so you would need to look for that size wire. If you can find it, Lidl wire comes in all four sizes: 0.6, 0.8, 0.9, and 1.0 mm.
Regarding polarity: with gas, the MIG torch is connected to the positive output of the welder's rectifier, and the "Earth" clamp ( the work return cable and workpiece clamp ) is negative. When using gasless fluxcore wire, polarity has to be reversed. Some welders are set up for both, with cables and plugs or terminals to allow an easy swap. This Cebora is not, so you will have to open the case, find the wires, unbolt them, and swap them over. Adequate cable length may be an issue; post internal photos here if you need any help. There is a circuit diagram in Post #6 of this thread:

B

Thread 'Cebora Turbo 130 circuit diagram'

Dec 5, 2021

Hi - got a BOC Migmaster 130 - AKA Cebora Turbo 130 - which I'm in the process of converting to Euro torch after accidentally breaking the original . . .

I've fitted the socket and wired it up and everything works so far. The last step is to add a solenoid-operated gas valve. I already have a suitable valve salvaged years ago from a gas tumble dryer which went belly-up but I'm struggling to know where to connect it into the electrics in the welder. It's a 240V coil so would need to be connected to somewhere that is normally off but energised on pulling the trigger, hence my need for a...

• BMWbiker
• Replies: 10
• forum: Cebora & Snap-on

The company "Static Arc" offer many welding supplies. This clamp would be OK:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/275262064546

You may also want to change the cable for a new or longer one.

 

[BrokenBiker]

swap the polarity of the earth and torch cables and fit a 0.9mm contact tip and you are pretty much good to go for gasless (even if you buy 0.8mm wire, keep the 0.9mm tip)

as for an earth clamp, buy any of the ebay offerings that claim to be 400amp earth clamps, they are very easy to fit

 

[Richards feckless welding]

Hello and welcome to the Forum!

The Cebora Pocket Turbo 130 is a well-known and respected early transformer MIG welder, made in Italy.
Regarding flux core: the Lidl/Parkside wire works quite well. It can sometimes be found in-store, or from resellers on eBay. Generally 0.9mm is the most common size for flux core, and if the welder is presently set up for 0.8mm solid wire with gas, the wire drive roller and torch tip will usually run 0.9 fluxcore as well. If not, it is probably set for 0.6mm, and so you would need to look for that size wire. If you can find it, Lidl wire comes in all four sizes: 0.6, 0.8, 0.9, and 1.0 mm.
Regarding polarity: with gas, the MIG torch is connected to the positive output of the welder's rectifier, and the "Earth" clamp ( the work return cable and workpiece clamp ) is negative. When using gasless fluxcore wire, polarity has to be reversed. Some welders are set up for both, with cables and plugs or terminals to allow an easy swap. This Cebora is not, so you will have to open the case, find the wires, unbolt them, and swap them over. Adequate cable length may be an issue; post internal photos here if you need any help. There is a circuit diagram in Post #6 of this thread:

B

Thread 'Cebora Turbo 130 circuit diagram'

Dec 5, 2021

Hi - got a BOC Migmaster 130 - AKA Cebora Turbo 130 - which I'm in the process of converting to Euro torch after accidentally breaking the original . . .

I've fitted the socket and wired it up and everything works so far. The last step is to add a solenoid-operated gas valve. I already have a suitable valve salvaged years ago from a gas tumble dryer which went belly-up but I'm struggling to know where to connect it into the electrics in the welder. It's a 240V coil so would need to be connected to somewhere that is normally off but energised on pulling the trigger, hence my need for a...

• BMWbiker
• Replies: 10
• forum: Cebora & Snap-on

The company "Static Arc" offer many welding supplies. This clamp would be OK:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/275262064546

You may also want to change the cable for a new or longer one.

Thanks for that I have just ordered the recommended clamp from ebay.

 

[Richards feckless welding]

MIG Welding Tutorial, Techniques and Practical

Thanks for that, some good links there.

 

[Richards feckless welding]

swap the polarity of the earth and torch cables and fit a 0.9mm contact tip and you are pretty much good to go for gasless (even if you buy 0.8mm wire, keep the 0.9mm tip)

as for an earth clamp, buy any of the ebay offerings that claim to be 400amp earth clamps, they are very easy to fit

Thanks for the tips.