Semi-automatic welders.

[one-eyed welder]

I have just bought a new welder, a Wurth 260 ,12-260 amps.(yes, 12 is correct! ).It is "semi-automatic". What does this refer to?The rep from Wurth, told me to set it to the 5 mark for Volts (has 12 divisions) and 4-4.5 for wire speed (has markings 1-7) , and hardly change it for any metal thickness.I was surprised when one of the forum users , with a Portamig 180? said with hardly any adjustments he could weld most thicknesses, with only slight tweaking necessary . Is this the semi-automatic feature? I do find it seems to run smoothly at 5 V with 4.5 wire speed. I am welding metals of 3-5 mm thick, and occasionally 10mmm and rebar at 16mm diameter.Later I will be attempting a restoration of my Mercedes 220S from 1959. Anyone out their with a similar vehicle-----impossible to find some parts eg glass-bowled fuel filter. Thanks guys---great site---lots of info!

 

[malcolm]

Hi welcome, Semi-automatic probably does refer to the automatic adjustment of wire speed when you change power setting. It's a very useful feature as it makes the wire feed knob more controllable (it's just for fine adjustment).

12 amps is very low - must be great on thin body panels. Have you used it at it's lowest setting?

 

[scarecrow]

hi o-ew and Welcome my father used to own a couple of 220 Mercedes but they went to the scrap yard a few years back there is still a few bits and pieces knocking around
but I don't ever remember seeing a glass-bowled fuel filter is yours a deasel have you any idea of the dimensions of the glass bowl something else might fit it

 

[one-eyed welder]

semi-automatic welders

No, haven't tried it on thin stuff yet.Only used for repairs on the farm here. Original foglights for 220S also were not obtainable, but Bosch and Hella now producing them again---but I'm afraid to ask " how much' bet they'll cost a packet!Most original glass filters replaced by the paper filters years back.Thanks for replies to my Post.

 

[scarecrow]

. Original foglights for 220S also were not obtainable, but Bosch and Hella now producing them again---but I'm afraid to ask " how much' bet they'll cost a packet!Most original glass filters replaced by the paper filters years back.

If I remember correctly were they the ones with the deep ridges

 

[TechnicAl]

semi-automatic means that it automatically adjusts the parameters to maintain a constant arc length, in other words maintains a stable arc. Being constant voltage (CV) it does what it says and keeps the voltage constant which would be impossible otherwise as your hand / eye cannot possibly maintain a constant arc length.

Its not special, all MIG sets are the same

For the pedants I probably should say most MIG sets are the same. There are a few very rare very expensive alternatives.