SIP P178 Tig/Arc Inverter Set

[Will_Davis]

Hi guys,

Just got this delivered today from ieDepot.ie for €350 inc vat and overnight delivery.

Machine looks great. Instruction manual is a bit "Chinglish" however.

I'm sure I will have more questions in future about the art/craft of tig welding but Q1 is;

What does the "2T/4T" switch do?

Also a question to the mods: When I tried to register with my hotmail account address the registration page told me "this e-mail address was already in use"?? The user name was Ok ( normally its that that's in use ! ) And e-mail adrresses are defacto unique!

Cheers for now

Will

 

[wyn]

2T means you have to hold the torch switch down all the time to operate the machine.

4T means press it once to start it ...press it again to stop.

I like 4T myself.

 

[Will_Davis]

Thanks Wyn for the prompt reply. I would never have thought that the T meant touch! ( Probably makes sense in China )

Will

 

[pedrobedro]

2 touch 4 touch, 2 time 4 time. Whatever the T means it's been used for much longer than the Chinese have been making tig welders.

 

[wheresmejumper]

i have that 178,but only used the arc function yet.
have argon got so will have a stab at tig soon

 

[Will_Davis]

This question probably applies to most welders:

The machine is spec'd as consuming 16 Amps and as such did not come with a 13 Amp plug fitted.

As I am only welding thin SS sheet is it ok to run this off a 13Amp plug as I would think that say welding around 20 to 50 Amps would not overload the fuse.

Only when used flat out with a big stick would consume its full load.

Cheers

Will

 

[wheresmejumper]

ive had it at 135 amps on a 13 amp plug for long spells without trouble

 

[Will_Davis]

ive had it at 135 amps on a 13 amp plug for long spells without trouble

Excellent News. That means we get to keep the immersion heater as I was going to disconnect it and use its breaker to supply the welder!!

Will

 

[Will_Davis]

An update on using the machine:

As the switch on the handle is just a simple push to make contact type of thing I decided to fit a foot switch in parrallel.

A simple push to make contact footswitch from Maplin costs about €12 here ( more like £8 in UK)

This allows me to use my foot to switch on as sometimes the angle of the torch makes pressing the switch difficult ( for me any way )

I will maybe disable the switch on the torch ( or used a switched jack socket ) as I keep touching it and wasting gas!!

Must also get much tinner gloves!!

Will

 

[wheresmejumper]

burned five 4mm rods in a row at 160 amps,on a 13 amp fuse,no bother to it

 

[Will_Davis]

Update:

Got a nice thin pair of gloves: Big Help ( also for free from a supplier in Dublin )

Got a WP17 Flexi Head from Weldequip: Fitted to torch no problem: Big improvement in accessability: Great upgrade for €25 delivered to .ie

Will