Just Bought my First Welder

[ant_8u]

Hi Guys

I'm completely new to welding and have just picked up a used mig welder to help me with Triumph GT6 restoration project

The welder needs a few things servicing on it, so if anyone can help me out that's be appreciated

I've been speaking to a few Triumph owners and they say 0.6mm is good for both the bodywork and the chassis

The welder came set up as 0.8mm

Do I need to change the 'roller wheel' in the wire feed (as it says 0.8) or can that still be used with 0.6mm wire?

Things I know I need are;

Earth Clamp
Shroud/Nozzle
0.6mm Tips
Regulator
Gas

If anyone can point me in the right direction that'd be great

The welder is a Cebora Craft Mig
Is there anything else I should check on this unit?

I understand they're not the greatest Cebora's out there, but I'm sure it's capablities are way beyond those of a first time welder such as myself

Thanks everyone
Ant

 

[rtbcomp]

Welcome to the forum.

Weldequip at the top of the page should be able to fit you up with what you need.

You may find the roller has two grooves in it, one for 0.6 and one for 0.8 wire, if so simply remove the roller and refit the other way round.

You can't use the 0.8 groove for thinner wire as it will slip.

 

[ant_8u]

Thanks, I'll have a look at the roller now

 

[Mr J Morton]

Ahh a fellow triumph owner. I've spitfire, are you TSSC or club triumph fellow?

Yes 0.6 will do both just, but ideally 0.8 is better for the chassis especially if you overlap anything.

I would ask what you have to weld...but its a triumph so I can already guess....everything!

Jon

 

[ant_8u]

Hi Jon

I've had some of the bodywork done previously - and yes, it was pretty much most of the car

I've got the rear inner arches to do along with the chassis outriggers

I'm spending more time on the Club Triumph forum at present
I find it 'busier' than the tssc one

I've been a member of the tssc previously, but quite like the idea of really using re car which seems to be what club triumph is more about

How about you?

 

[Mr J Morton]

my car is a real mongrel now...not one spitfire but many. I use it, it rarely sees a garage drives in all weathers and when working used as a daily driver. Its currently waiting some welding, when weather gets better.

Jonnym

 

[ant_8u]

Mine's off road at the moment - full restoration required

Hoping to get in on the road next year and will be attending as many days out as possible


With regards to my welder.....I've removed the roller wheel and it does indeed have two grooves in it

Bare with me though whilst I 'try' to explain as I think it was fitted the wrong way round

When I removed the wheel the face closest to me had 0.8 stamped into it
This groove seems to be larger than the other groove, which has 0.6 stamped into it

When fitted the groove furthest away is the one that the wire runs through

So, if I want to run a 0.6mm wire I guess I should fit it with 0.8 facing towards me - which is the way it was fitted to begin with

Hope that makes some kind of sense?

 

[ant_8u]

Hmmmmmm.......

Just been onto the WeldEquip site

The shroud I have seems to be the same dimensions as the Type 15
But, the tip seemse to be the size and the same shape as the Type 25

Help

 

[rtbcomp]

........
Bare with me though whilst I 'try' to explain as I think it was fitted the wrong way round

When I removed the wheel the face closest to me had 0.8 stamped into it
This groove seems to be larger than the other groove, which has 0.6 stamped into it

When fitted the groove furthest away is the one that the wire runs through

So, if I want to run a 0.6mm wire I guess I should fit it with 0.8 facing towards me - which is the way it was fitted to begin with

Hope that makes some kind of sense?

It is confusing, you'd expect the selected size to be visible, but if they stamp the size nearest the groove it could be hidden, depending whether or not the wire runs in the outside or inside groove.

If you look at the grooves carefully you can see the difference.

 

[ant_8u]

Yeah, the wire runs through the inner groove when fitted

If I fit it with the 0.8 stamp facing me i 'think' the inner groove is then the smaller of the two

So, it looks like the previous owner was using 0.8 wire and tips through the 0.6 roller

 

[Mr J Morton]

That doesn't make any sense, but doesn't mean its wrong. It would make sense that 0.6mm wire grove would say 0.6 facing you when using the groove.

I cant find instructions for that model to confirm.

 

[ant_8u]

Does what I've said about the tip and the shroud make sense?

Looks like I've got a size 25 tip, and a 15 shroud

I've taken measurements from the WeldEquip site for comparison

 

[weldequip]

The previous owner was probably aquiring the tips from work as the Type 25 are commonly used in fab shops & the same thread size as the Type 15. Use the correct ones (type 15) as the 25's are wider bodied (to cope with higher amps) but will clog up with spatter quickley within a Type 15 gas shroud

 

[ant_8u]

Thanks mate

As mentioned - It's a Cebora CraftMig 180
The gun is a StarParts item

Am I ok to go with the Type 15 for both the tips and the shroud?

 

[weldequip]

Type 15 are standard fit yes (assuming the torch hasn't been changed for a different one). As well to change the Liner too to keep the wire feed running smooth

 

[ant_8u]

I need to fit a new cable lug to the end of my earth cable so I can connect my earth clamp

What size earth cable would I have on this machine?
Is there a way to measure it?

 

[Arc-Rite Welding]

I would recommend 25mm cable - generally i work on the rule of 16mm up to 160amp, 25mm up to 250amp etc etc.
25mm would easily be ok, with a 200amp lug. Knock on lugs or re-useable. Not expensive nowadays

 

[ant_8u]

Thanks mate

This is the size of my earth cable
Pictured next to my size 15 torch fir comparison

What size cable do I have, and what size lug do I need?

Thanks

 

[shenion]

Are there no markings on the cable?

If not. measure the diameter of the copper. That will give you an idea of the size of a lug you need.

 

[ant_8u]

Thanks

There are no markings on the cable

The copper is approx 7mm in diameter
The insulation is approx 9mm in diameter