migmate question

[wtmvm]

My Son recently swapped an old turbo charger for a Mig welder that he stored in my garage and promptly forgot about, as I got fed up tripping over the thing I decided to see if it worked and what I could achieve with it.
Not much was the answer to that question so I searched the net, found this forum and soon realised I was doing it all wrong!
The Machine is a Migmate 100, it came without any gas parts but still has the internal valve which seems to work ok. I tried it with a reel of gasless wire but as you can guess the results were less than satisfactory.
I have attached a pic with this post as I have had trouble identifying exactly what model it is. So my question is do you think it is worth the effort to repair?

 

[pondy]

That's very old. I have two in my garage that's I'm selling on eBay as spares or repair

 

[pondy]

Ones I own have faulty switches so make sure these work on yours. I have these and a newer mig mate and the older ones do seem slightly better built

 

[wtmvm]

Thanks for the help. I think the switches are working as they did seem to change the power, I'll try and test them with a multimeter to be sure.
As for fixing, the gas pipe from the internal valve, bottle regulator, gas bottle and bottle brackets are missing. I have some 4mm pipe that seems to fit and a regulator is about a tenner off amazon, brackets I can make and I could buy a bottle of gas to test it with.

I think I'll have a play, as its only about 25 quid for the bits, I will post an update after it's all together and let you know how it went.

Thanks again for your help and interest.

wtmvm.

 

[zx9]

I would say it is worth spending a few quid on, I have one that I bought new in 1986/7 it gets used every now and again for thin (up to 2mm or so) steel. I foolishly fitted a new torch a couple of years ago, the time and mony spent was way more than it would ever sell for but that was not the point of doing it up a bit.

 

[pondy]

Thanks for the help. I think the switches are working as they did seem to change the power, I'll try and test them with a multimeter to be sure.
As for fixing, the gas pipe from the internal valve, bottle regulator, gas bottle and bottle brackets are missing. I have some 4mm pipe that seems to fit and a regulator is about a tenner off amazon, brackets I can make and I could buy a bottle of gas to test it with.

I think I'll have a play, as its only about 25 quid for the bits, I will post an update after it's all together and let you know how it went.

Thanks again for your help and interest.

wtmvm.

I took 3 regulators for disposable bottles down the dump this morning. I do have 2 brackets for the bottle what clips onto the back

 

[evobilly666]

I don't use gasless wire as i cannot stand the stuff, but did you reverse the polarity to try it? I'm not familiar with this set so don't know if its possible but i know that can affect gasless welding.

 

[zx9]

I don't use gasless wire as i cannot stand the stuff, but did you reverse the polarity to try it? I'm not familiar with this set so don't know if its possible but i know that can affect gasless welding.

It was not designed as a gasless set.

 

[wtmvm]

A guy at work had a couple of brackets that fit a treat pondy so that bit is sorted.
I didn't know about changing the polarity I must admit, I do now though, thanks to you guys, so glad I found this forum!

I have a regulator on the way and got some gas, so I can have a try with that at the weekend, hopefully with more success.

Thanks for the help and advice all, much obliged.

wtmvm.

 

[wtmvm]

Hi all.

Gas parts all fitted and working and I can report an amazing difference! First off I can now actually see what I`m doing and the weld quality has improved dramatically with neater beads and almost no spattering.

The machine can manage about 2mm steel possibly 3mm with prep. Struggling with thin stuff but I have never welded before so need a great deal of practice.
I have an old 1988 Land Rover 110 that needs quite a bit of work, hopefully when the time comes I may be able to do the welding myself , fingers crossed..

Thanks for all the help.

wtmvm.

 

[Mig 29]

Hi I have the exact model shown in the photo above , I got it in 1987 , and today It stopped working ! So i need some help , I f you can help me .

It buzzed loudly and then blew the fuse, so checked a few things , and one of the rectifier diodes has gone short circuit , one out of 4 !! but I cannot see a part number cos its old , so can anybody suggest a replacement ??? or even an old set that has working bits ??

cheers
Mig 29