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I'm not an expert but realistically I'd pay a tenner at the most as that's probably about what you'd get weighing the copper windings in for scrap. 
The problem is that you won't know if it works until you fit the torch and if it doesn't then you've wasted your money.
Go on then, how much?
The problem is that you won't know if it works until you fit the torch and if it doesn't then you've wasted your money.
Go on then, how much?
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Gulp! 
I was being a bit silly with my tenner quip, it's worth more than that though I definitely wouldn't have risked £100 from a private seller.
Let's hope it works, if it does then it should be an ok machine.
I'm not sure if those bigger-cased ones share the same wire feed mechanisms as the smaller machines but if so then you'll be wanting to brace the feed rollers to keep them aligned.
Why did they say the torch was removed in the first place?
If you could try a torch from another machine and it proved the machine worked then I'd suggest you do a euro torch conversion on it. The kit comes in at around the £80 mark so not much more than the standard SIP one but much easier to service or replace in future.
You might be able to use the torch connections inside the machine to test the wire feed and allow you to test the power settings with a voltmeter. The gas side is sorted as that's a mechanical valve anyway.
Food for thought.
I was being a bit silly with my tenner quip, it's worth more than that though I definitely wouldn't have risked £100 from a private seller.
Let's hope it works, if it does then it should be an ok machine.
I'm not sure if those bigger-cased ones share the same wire feed mechanisms as the smaller machines but if so then you'll be wanting to brace the feed rollers to keep them aligned.
Why did they say the torch was removed in the first place?
If you could try a torch from another machine and it proved the machine worked then I'd suggest you do a euro torch conversion on it. The kit comes in at around the £80 mark so not much more than the standard SIP one but much easier to service or replace in future.
You might be able to use the torch connections inside the machine to test the wire feed and allow you to test the power settings with a voltmeter. The gas side is sorted as that's a mechanical valve anyway.
Food for thought.
Yeah, I wouldn't have risked it privatley either. The shop said the torch was damaged and they were unable to service it for sefety reasons.
I'm planning on trying to test it with a sip torch, and am looking into the Euro conversions if it all proves to work successfully.
Thanks for your help, I'll be sure to let you know how it turns out.
I'm planning on trying to test it with a sip torch, and am looking into the Euro conversions if it all proves to work successfully.
Thanks for your help, I'll be sure to let you know how it turns out.
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Good shout, a Euro torch would be much better.
Do you have access to another SIP torch? Don't go to the expense of buying one if you intend to convert it, as I said, you ought to be able to simulate having a torch connected to enable you to check the basic functions are working. As long as the feed rollers change speed as they should and the OCV increases in line with the power settings then you should be good to go.
Do you have access to another SIP torch? Don't go to the expense of buying one if you intend to convert it, as I said, you ought to be able to simulate having a torch connected to enable you to check the basic functions are working. As long as the feed rollers change speed as they should and the OCV increases in line with the power settings then you should be good to go.
Yeah, I can get access to one, will probably take a week or so to get it to test.
I see you're in Wiltshire, I spend half of my time in Swindon, I don't suppose you know what the current price for a bottle of rent free argonshield/equivalent is from complete welding in swindon.
I see you're in Wiltshire, I spend half of my time in Swindon, I don't suppose you know what the current price for a bottle of rent free argonshield/equivalent is from complete welding in swindon.
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A 20 litre cylinder will cost you around £50 + vat for the gas plus a refundable deposit of £75 + vat for the cylinder. That's what I paid for mine from Melksham Motor Spares and the prices seem pretty similar elsewhere so that should give you an idea.
It's an expensive way of getting your first one but as most of the money is tied up in the deposit it's better for us low-volume users than a rental contract.
It's an expensive way of getting your first one but as most of the money is tied up in the deposit it's better for us low-volume users than a rental contract.
