Just got a topmig 140 from ebay which was described as fully working and little used. After reading on here of the awful SIP wirefeed and being quite happy to carry out the mods suggested I decided I'd spend the time and get this machine sorted rather than spend three times as much on a better welder. Well thought I'd just switch it on and test before stripping it down and it's dead. Fan runs but nothing else. Poking around the wire feed unit I found a white wire unconnected and with no obvious home to go to. Split the torch and found it has no gas valve. "Ah! must be solenoid operated gas system" I thought- "good". Side off the machine and no solenoid. The gas pipe goes from regulator to torch tip to provide a rather natty continuous gas feed system. No worrysome porous welds for me!
None of the foregoing worries me too much and I like the idea of 'getting to know' my welder while sorting the problems BUT.....
A seller who doesn't have time demonstrate his machine or has run out of gas or has run out of wire or who is suffering from a power cut as you arrive or who's mother in law needs to be rushed to hospital so he can't stop should be treated with a little suspicion. Buyer beware.
Now I must find myself a solenoid and start sorting out that wiring. Noticed that the feed roller 'floats' on it's shaft so it is way out of alignment unless it's lifted up to meet the wire run- doesn't look right to me. Also the whole driveshaft can be moved in and out of the gearbox by a good eighth inch. Torch has obviously been replaced and is quite nice and the liner slides out very easily when disconnected. My old Sealy 100xt liner was totally siezed in the torch tube and I had to literally cut the tube it's whole length to get it out and replace with curtain wire. It had been pinched badly all along it's length by the factory when made up as had the gas tube. Had thought about using the sealey wire feed unit on the SIP but will try not to as it's still a working machine.
Thanks to all on here for their time and patience in answering questions and giving invaluable information Your input helps many more of us than just the asker of questions.
Cheers to all
None of the foregoing worries me too much and I like the idea of 'getting to know' my welder while sorting the problems BUT.....
A seller who doesn't have time demonstrate his machine or has run out of gas or has run out of wire or who is suffering from a power cut as you arrive or who's mother in law needs to be rushed to hospital so he can't stop should be treated with a little suspicion. Buyer beware.
Now I must find myself a solenoid and start sorting out that wiring. Noticed that the feed roller 'floats' on it's shaft so it is way out of alignment unless it's lifted up to meet the wire run- doesn't look right to me. Also the whole driveshaft can be moved in and out of the gearbox by a good eighth inch. Torch has obviously been replaced and is quite nice and the liner slides out very easily when disconnected. My old Sealy 100xt liner was totally siezed in the torch tube and I had to literally cut the tube it's whole length to get it out and replace with curtain wire. It had been pinched badly all along it's length by the factory when made up as had the gas tube. Had thought about using the sealey wire feed unit on the SIP but will try not to as it's still a working machine.
Thanks to all on here for their time and patience in answering questions and giving invaluable information Your input helps many more of us than just the asker of questions.
Cheers to all