sip euro torch conversion

[malcolm]

Hi,
I've got a strong (well, strong for me!) memory of someone/something saying "always feed from the bottom of the spool of wire" ie so that it unrolls in a clockwise direction.

Depends on the welder - on the later SIPs feeding the wire the wrong way would cause the spool securing nut to come undone. Different welders secure the spool in different ways and on many you can run the wire either way.

Well spotted mile_os - old SIP this one. Better rep. If it were me I'd replace the wire liner and give it a shot. Rough instructions here: http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/sip-wirefeed.htm

 

[1.8T]

I suspect cj it is to do with the tensioner, if you ran the wire from the top (on a 5kg spool anyway) you would more than likely be touching the tensioner, malcom cheers read that, im assuming i need to obtain the clarke steel torch liner and trim it down to size, i know the clarke swan neck liner is the correct length as i have already compared them

 

[Country Joe]

feeding the wire the wrong way would cause the spool securing nut to come undone

You're quite right! Hadn't even occurred to me.
Obviously my area of expertise lies elsewhere!
If I ever find out where that is, I'll let you all know!

1.8T had a theory too - I just wondered why, and then accepted it!

CJ

 

[1.8T]

I guess the screw could come loose over time but i would have expected the spool to turn on the adapters rather than the adapters moving

 

[malcolm]

The Clarke stuff is OK with a trim for the later SIPs. I'm not sure about yours - best do what I do and send a PM to weldequip and ask.

 

[1.8T]

You have lost me malcolm can you please explain what your meaning

 

[BChild]

I have a pretty ancient sip migmate turbo 150, fair to say its been a pretty good to me and is something like 17 years old now, would love to upgrade but simply cannot afford it at the moment, as my torch is pretty horrible and the wire feed has seen better days i was thinking about converting to a euro torch setup and was wondering whether anyone here has fitted one of these http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MIG-WELDER-CO...603?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item19c227865b to their sip machine was thinking of getting a parweld torch to go with it unless there is a better torch for sensible money, i am aware i will need a gas solenoid but what im not sure of (without taking my welder to bits)

I Euro torched my SIP/Cosmo - much better than the original fixed and short torch - I didn't do the motor change although I considered it

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=8028&page=6

As others have said biggest issue is the motor control circuitry and the cold starts that result.

Now I've fixed that I could be quite tempted to change the motor unit (current one and a spare I picked up from a member on here both have a tight spot in them and you can still just hear and feel the effect it has on wire feed) but for the cost I've ruled it out - mainly cos I bought a portamig and so the SIP/Cosmo has been relegated to the portable take it with you welder - the portamig is just too big to be anything other than garage based

 

[malcolm]

You have lost me malcolm can you please explain what your meaning

I used the Clarke wire liner and swan neck liner but I think they needed trimming to length. But mine was a much later design so I'm not sure if the parts would fit you welder. Best bet would be to check with a dealer when you order the parts.

 

[1.8T]

Torch repaired, new steel torch and swan neck liners fitted, wire feed rollers braced and i did some test welds, very happy with the results its working as it should, i have decided to put it up for sale not because there is anything wrong with it but because i fancy treating myself to something bigger