Novice in need

[BaxterD]

Hello all, I've been back and forth on this forum to get advice on which welders to buy and found an ad on gumtree for a Sealey 195 Supermig and took a chance on what I still think is a good deal for £170. It's a well used machine sold to me by a professional welder who says it has been serviced regularly by a Sealey agent, having a shiny new earth clamp and wire feed installed.

I've joined what has to be the worst bodywork night-class in the UK and after finally getting the tutors attention I asked him to look over it and set up the gas and such. He reckons it's one of two coils having packed in, not sure what they are but I'm guessing that would mean it's not running on full power. The arc is sporadic, unstable and underpowered (I tried to blow a hole in 1.5mm steel on near full power but it the pool just sat mounting on top) the wire also has slight surface rust but nothing serious. However, if you have any ideas I'd like to hear what you lot have to say as I don't fully trust his judgement (sorry I am still quite bitter about that class)

Cheers,
Darren

 

[shenion]

You need clean wire. You may have plugged the liner with the rust.

Start with a new tip and clean wire. You might get away unrolling a few layers of wire to get to fresh wire.

 

[Dave H2]

I bought a second hand Komanchi 180, last used by a pro welder.
Last run on gas with gasless polarity, burned dinse sockets that no longer tighten up, earth clamp connected with a big washer loosly clamping bare cable hiding blobs of melted copper on a nice new earth clamp.

What I'm trying to say is pro welders are no different from anyone else, you buy 2nd hand you really need to check it right through.
Get all the covers off it (unplugged) and look for loose, discoloured or burned connections. That 50hz buzz can undo bolts.
has the earth clamp end of the cable got a lug on it?
the contactor that powers the torch may be shot