My old/new welder

[57morry]

Hi all

I bought a Telwin Bimax 132 welder a while ago, tried using it a couple of times, found it didn't weld cleanly with lots of soot around the weld and I couldn't get that nice "frying eggs" sound I've had with other migs.

I've been trying to use it once again as the oxy torch is distorting the panels too much. I've changed tips, gone to a thicker wire (0.8), but I'm still burning holes in the metal, although the new tips have let me at least get a weld running. From looking at other web sites I see that a continuous weld in thin sheet metal (auto panel gauge) isn't possible, it looks as though you have to do many short tacks that will eventually form a continuous stitch. It looks very untidy and a great way to get rust happenning, is this the only way to go?????

regards
Keith

 

[oddball90]

The answer is in the how to mig weld section, so yes short tacks to seam weld, after tacking panel first. Or get a really small nozzle for your gas torch and then try gas welding/brazing. Could try using a heat sink behind weld joint(if possible), a large peice of copper is good, then you can get abit more of a weld before letting the panel cool.

 

[oddball90]

Another thought what gas are you using CO2 or Argon mix like Argoshield, when i tried CO2 i could not weld using a mates welder. Once back on argoshield everything is alot easier(much neater welds), and able to weld alot thinner material. Oddball90

 

[57morry]

I'm using argoshield, spoke to a mate who used to do sheet metal as a trade and the stitching method appears to be the only way I guess I need to get my stitches neater and more even.
I'm still geting the wire speed and current settings sorted, there are only four current setting on the Telwin, although the wire speed is infinitely variable
ta
Keith

 

[weldequip]

Hi all

I bought a Telwin Bimax 132 welder a while ago, tried using it a couple of times, found it didn't weld cleanly with lots of soot around the weld and I couldn't get that nice "frying eggs" sound I've had with other migs.

I've been trying to use it once again as the oxy torch is distorting the panels too much. I've changed tips, gone to a thicker wire (0.8), but I'm still burning holes in the metal, although the new tips have let me at least get a weld running. From looking at other web sites I see that a continuous weld in thin sheet metal (auto panel gauge) isn't possible, it looks as though you have to do many short tacks that will eventually form a continuous stitch. It looks very untidy and a great way to get rust happenning, is this the only way to go?????

regards
Keith

Your main problem Keith is that your machine won't turn down low enough for very thin sheet welding. It's minimum setting is only 50 Amps which is higher than some industrial fabrication machines!
The lower the bottom setting the better for thin sheet, 30amps and below ideally.
weldequip

 

[57morry]

Hi all

I have been looking at other welders with a lower range of 30 A and I have seen the Tokentools TTMIG200
Welding Voltage range 13.5 to 26 Volts
Useable Amps 30 Amps to 160 Amps
Peak Amps 200 Amps
100% Duty Cycle 90 Amps
60% Duty Cycle 115 Amps
30% Duty Cycle 160 Amps
Max Input Current 22 Amps
Operating Voltage 240 Volts Single Phase 50 Hz
Weight 15.5 Kilos Nett, 19.5 Kilos Gross
Suitable Wire 0.6mm to 0.8mm
Power Factor 0.8
Power Requirement 4.8 Kva
No Load Voltage 55 Volts to 75 Volts

It is an inverter welder and has welding voltage, wire speed and "arc force" adjustments.

I have never used an inverter and it seems ideal, anyone had any experience with this machine before I spend more$$$. Also, it only goes down to 30A -- although 27A is the lowest I have seen -- which is the minimum weldequip suggested

regards
Keith

 

[weldequip]

Do you have a web link for that machine Keith? I've never heard of it.
weldequip

 

[57morry]

Hi weldequip

URL is http://www.tokentools.com.au/prod31.htm.

Price is about AU$1k -- seems good, but then so did the Telwin

regards
Keith

 

[weldequip]

Not one I've seen before but looks remarkably similar to the Chinese made Mitech machines. Inverters tend to offer a higher performance/features ratio to a conventional transformer type machine but I would tread carefully, particaularly on Chinese Inverters; better to go with one with at least a 2 year warranty, or stick to the traditional transformer built machines.
weldequip

 

[57morry]

ta
I'll have a chat to the rep and see what he can come up with

all the best
Keith

 

[57morry]

Hi all
I have just had a chat to a techy and his suggestion was to swap the +ve and -ve terminals as though I was going to use gasless wire. He said that this should lower the temperature in the wire and may cause me to go through tips faster as it would increase the tip temp, but would stop the holes.

I have been using the spatter guard copiously and apart from the weld now being blobby and sitting proud the terminal swap appears to be working. I may now have to increase the amps to get a better weld deposit shape -- we'll see

regards
Keith

 

[tomiweld]

Question Re Inverters

Hi Weldeqip,

Just curious why you think Chinese Inverters are bad?

Regards
Pete