Life into an old dog

[Ian T]

Hi
Just joined and am a little confused. I have been given an old (about10years plus) SIP 130 migmate turbo. Well it was free. I have not welded for over 15 years so I was rather pleased until I have read most of the damming threads here about SIPs, my last mig was an Einall and I liked it. So my question is please what is the best way to refresh it. Where can I buy the steel linner recomended for the torch and is there any other good things to do to breath some life back into it.

Cheers

Ian

 

[BillJ]

Hi, Ian.

I wouldn't worry so much. My Migmate 130 Turbo was rubbish and needed quite a bit of modification to make it decent but it's only a couple of years old and I'll bet it cost a lot less than yours brand new. SIP MIGs were pretty decent until they started cost-reducing to compete with China so You've probably got a half-decent welder there.

One of the experts like Weldequip will probably be along shortly to give you the full story and offer you a good deal on replacement parts

 

[Ian T]

Hi Bill

Thank you - That has cheered me up a bit - I shall await Weldequip to come along and shed the light.
Spooky that I also have a SAAB 9000 - well she does actualy but I am allowed to drive it on the odd occasion

Cheers
Ian

 

[BillJ]

Spooky that I also have a SAAB 9000 - well she does actualy but I am allowed to drive it on the odd occasion

Not a P-reg Anniversary edition in Amethyst (metallic purple) by any chance, is it? That's the only one I know that used to live in Portsmouth.

 

[Ian T]

Nope - it is a cross between silver and green but she likes it

 

[malcolm]

They were nasty 10 years ago. Change must have been late '90s (?) I have a '91ish SIP130 I use for experimentation - if yours looks like mine the bad news is it's the one people complain about, but the good news is there's a load of help linked from the bottom of the changing a wire liner page.

A steel liner should make it work reasonably, but the wire speed control is poor, so it'll still be fiddly to use. Look up weldequip on the member list and send him a message - a lines should come in at less than £10.

 

[PaulMcElhinney]

My first post too. I bought a Migmate 130 Turbo in roughly 2000 to do some welding on a Mk 2 Escort. I am annoyed to hear of their poor reputation as I bought it on the back of a "best product" test by Practical Classics. A Clarke 135 amp welder was amongst the competition.

I am in the same position as the author of this post. My welder has not done a lot of welding and has been stored in dry conditions. I want to insert a steel liner and any other cost effective modification.

I have a Jensen Interceptor (gulp). I am going to start by doing some repairs and lead filling to the bonnet.

Best wishes,

Paul McElhinney,
West Midlands.

 

[Ian T]

Hi
Just had a look at mine and the front layout is different than the ones on display now. From left to right the display is:

Wire control 0-10
Then four oblong push switches High, Medium, Low in white then a black high/low push switch. All these are about four inches from the bottom of the machine.

Does this help date the thing

Cheers

Ian

 

[malcolm]

Ian - you are in luck - sounds like an ancient one Bung a steel liner in and maybe replace the swan neck liner too and go from there. There are a few members with the elderly SIPs and they seem to think they are usable enough.

Welcome Paul. You don't see Jenson Interceptors around often. I've noticed a few curious group tests in Practical Classics. I'm not sure how the rating system works, and maybe in new condition they thought the SIP was nicer(?). Steel liner made a massive difference to the ease of welding on mine.

 

[zardoz]

Just get some gas and new wire and give it a whirl first. You never know it might be great from the word go.

 

[Ian T]

Cheers Malcolm
Much appreciated I feel a lot better now even if it was free. I shall get the steel liner and the swan neck liner and see what happens. Don't happen to know the best place do you I have seen posts of bicycle brake liners and curtain wire, can you please recommend anything.

Paul - good luck with the Jensen

Ian

 

[Sean]

Waste of time curtain wire is too floppy, bike brake outer( Bowden cable) isnt necessarily the right size for the brass fittings at the end.

Even at MM you can get a wire liner and a swan neck liner for less than a tenner

Sure weldquip would beat that

Sean

 

[Ian T]

cheers Sean

I have just pm'ed Weldequip

Thanks

Ian