Have i done the right thing??

[bigbird76]

Hello all this is my 1st post

Ok I am restoring a BMW E30 M3 and i purchased a SIP Weldmate T150P gas welder new for £220 about 1 month ago,Supplied with 0.6 wire and what i can call hobby gas. Im welding various parts on the car currently the bulkhead approx 1mm thick steel.

I found this forum about 3 hrs ago and am wondering if i have done the right thing by buying the mentioned welding set as i have found a few threads here with SIP owners having problems.

I started welding with my set last weekend and allthough i have no problem in work welding using 400+ amp sets i seem to be getting some problems with this set, Im keeping the torch cable straight, and using anti spatter spray on the torch etc.

I am not sure if its me but the wire feed seems to do what it likes, sometimes it will weld ok and other times im getting balls of hot metal, Also im finding it hard not to blow holes in the steel, even at the lowest setting.

I was using the small bottles which last like 20 mins I now i have a bigger bottle (Argon shield light) and will buy a regulator this week to try to improve the welding, Also i have 0.8 wire and tips on the way.

Does anyone have any suggestions for this set that might help me improve it or help me, Or does this set need to go in the skip?? I really wish i had found this forum weeks ago that way i could of had some help to pick a decent set.

Leigh

 

[weldequip]

Also i have 0.8 wire and tips on the way.

Stick with the 0.6mm wire They are supplied with a CO2 canister from new & you will find when you put it on Ar/CO2 mix you will notice a vast improvement (give us a shout for the regulator conversion aswell ).
The SIP's are fickle at best but from new, when set-up right, you should get satisfactory results.
weldequip

 

[greyshirtguy]

Yes - there are a lot of posts about SIP wirefeed problems....
The good news is, a lot of folks have made promising improvements - just do a forum search for SIP wirefeed:

For example:
Replacing the platisic liner with a steel one is a "big win":
http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/sip-wirefeed.htm

Another person noted that the rollers didn't grip the wire as well as they could:
http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=3993&highlight=SIP+wirefeed

 

[Rich.C]

Ok I am restoring a BMW E30 M3

Pics when you can please Leigh, I'm afflicted with the E30 bug also

 

[bigbird76]

Pics when you can please Leigh, I'm afflicted with the E30 bug also

Thanks for the input guys will try more when i get the gas sorted out, Also i might change the liner to a steel one as mentioned.

The car is a 1988 Evolution II and is 1 of 500 limited M3's produced, Also my car is a UK model 1 of 40 i beleive Still left hand drive but MPH not KMH english check panel not german.

Before i started

Stripped it down over the past 3 months and found a few bad bits of rust

New genuine parts purchased

At the moment im repairing the bulkhead, Once this is completed i can start to re-fit the front inner wings and then slowly get the car back together full read up @

http://board.s14power.com/showthread.php?t=4059

Not sure if you have to register 1st but if your a E30 fan you will.

Cheers


Leigh

 

[Rich.C]

Thanks for the pics Leigh, looks like you'll be busy for a while but will be well worth it

They always seem to go around the corners of the scuttle, at least the parts are still easily obtainable.

Are you on the E30zone as well?

Cheers,

Rich.

 

[bigbird76]

Hi Rich

Yer on there but dont post much

looking for a stripped E30 3 door shell at moment to cut parts off for my car as some parts have ended


Leigh

 

[Rich.C]

Lol, I know what you mean, my project E30 (not M3 unfortunately) is currently a mix of new panels and bits I cut off my last breaker.

Anyways, keep us updated with your progress please.

 

[bigbird76]

Yes - there are a lot of posts about SIP wirefeed problems....
The good news is, a lot of folks have made promising improvements - just do a forum search for SIP wirefeed:

For example:
Replacing the platisic liner with a steel one is a "big win":
http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/sip-wirefeed.htm

Another person noted that the rollers didn't grip the wire as well as they could:
http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=3993&highlight=SIP+wirefeed

What sort of steel liner would i need as i do not know what size torch i have? I am using 0.6-0.8 wire so would a 1mm liner be ok ?? any more info here for a dIY retro fit

Cheers

Leigh

 

[greyshirtguy]

What sort of steel liner would i need as i do not know what size torch i have? I am using 0.6-0.8 wire so would a 1mm liner be ok ?? any more info here for a dIY retro fit

Cheers

Leigh

Send a PM (Private Message?) to Weldequip - He is a "Welding & Cutting Equipment Specialist" that would likely have the part - and seems to get a lot of excellent "plugs" from previous cusomters for his knowledge and service.

 

[bigbird76]

Well i ordered a regulator and conversion hose with weldquip Friday and it arrived saturday.

I used it today for the 1st time and its a vast improvement getting decent welding now.

Cheers All

Leigh

 

[elebub]

Am in the process of stripping an e30 1986 320i 2 door (Bronzebeige metallic) which we have owned since new. The original plan was to restore it but events have overtaken me and I need the garage space to keep the offsprings cars going - they have left home but their cars keep returning. The shell is pretty solid apart from the usual places i.e. rear arches and behind front mudguards, but above that the shell is pretty much solid. Let me know what bits you need and I will post some pictures.

 

[elebub]

Hi bigbird

Here are the pics you requested. Scuttle is a bit suspect but the inside is sound - any good? Tried to attach pics to a reply PM but failed miserably.

Andy

 

[bigbird76]

You have PM my friend..

Leigh