I have been using a SIP 130 and good little welder that it is I am thinking of Cebora Craftmig 180. Does this have copper transformer ? And are these better .
Alex
Hopefully someone will step in with a working knowlege of electro magnets (if you really are interested in the science I have a friend who does super conducting magnets for a living - he'll probably know the science bit of the answer - I should be able to get him to post if you need).
In the meantime, my answer would be not to worry about how they do it, but what they do. Welders are reliable these days, and one 180 amp welder is going to be pretty much like the next from a user perspective.
You'll probably be needing to weld some fairly thick stuff if you are looking to upgrade that far. If you are DIY then 180 amp is way more than you'd want on a 13 amp socket, but if you are a business you'll probably have the dedicated round blue things (or even yellow squiggly voltage things) around the place anyway.
Thanks Malcom
I am just an amateur and have many projects. Built little Locost 7 chassis from scratch with 130 Sip and it was perfect for 16 gauge tube. I have a Sip 210 fan cooled stick which I`m managing to work off 13 amp plug. I use this for thicker stuff so between the two units I can weld most. Just thought that upgrading to a better Mig with Euro torch and maybe a superior feed system would give better and more consistent results. Any thoughts?
Alex
My guess would be the SIP would weld perfectly well so long as it's in reasonable condition. I'd worry about the quality of the 110 amp units, but by the time you get to 130 amp you should be reasonably OK. The SIP looks like a decent welder. I have a 150 amp Clarke welder and it's been great apart from the earth clamp. Upgraded that and my results really improved.
The bigger welder would have lots of other advantages. Obviously you'll be able to weld thicker stuff, and weld for as long as you like without the thing cutting out. The euro torch will be a bonus - cheaper and easier to find replacements. You'll probably be able to fit a bigger roll of wire inside. The wire feed is likely to be a bit more solid - (mine is mounted on a little metal pin that became bent after a while) and general quality would be better.
I notice the lowest current on the Cebora Craftmig is 30 amps compared with the SIP 130's 25 amps. Might make thin stuff that bit more tricky. The Cebora Panther 180 has a lower minimum current and "spot stitch timer" which I'm guessing is also aimed at thinner steel, but I'd love to know more about the feature.
Personally I'd hang onto the SIP and splash out on an AC TIG welder
Do you race the Locost? If so which number do you run? I have a few photos from the Brands Hatch race a couple of weeks ago.
Thanks Malcom
I`m not badly placed between the the two welders I`ve got although I suspect the mig 180 might be easier to use on the heavy steel than the 210 arc. I will mill it over as I have looked at Tig and it is very interesting Cebora Panther is nice but a bit expensive. With some of these machines I would be paying for a duty cycle that I don`t need. Locost is only half built as I bought a Landy 109 and more recently Nissan Patrol which have both needed refurbed.Will get back into garage this winter to work on the 7. Maybe I`ll just practice and think more at the actual welding. Don`t know if its just me but little 130 welds lovely at times then it goes wonky and you have to faff about. Pros always tell you "those machines are crap" but really if one person can weld better than another the machine don`t come into it really....or does it?
Alex
I'd imagine the MIG would be easier to use than a stick welder. I've only ever done a tiny bit of stick welding but wasn't much good at it.
I have the faffing about thing with my machine as well. Almost always it's just the tip being past it's best and grabbing on the wire.
The earth clamp is the one thing that really isn't up to the job on the cheaper welders and that can cause a lot of inconsistancy. The steel crocodile clip ones go rusty and loose their (already feeble) grip leading to a poor contact. Hitachimad recommends one with a clamping screw you can tighten. I use a really heavy duty cast bronze crocodile clip.