West Monoarc 222

[Jackthelamb]

Hi All.

I am looking to buy a MIG welder to weld my old jensen CV8 and an old Mini Copper. I have been offered a West Monoarc 222 around 10 years old.
This bit of kit seems to be a big (30"x40"x20") MIG welder with good low power settings and even a spot welding timer. The owner wants £120.00 with a new 0.8 reel and a big C02 bottle, He says he has welded everything from thin plate to trailer chassis with this welder.

Any ideas ???

Thank you all.

 

[weldequip]

They were decent quality machines. Any major spare parts could be an issue as they are no longer available in the UK (to my knowledge), but at that price it's got to be worth a go. Just check the minimum amps/volts setting... wants to be around 30amps/19volts or lower for successful thin sheet welding.
weldequip

 

[Jackthelamb]

Thank you very much for your help. I will see the machine tonight and let you know.

 

[Jackthelamb]

Well I got the welder (see photos attached).

Seems to work, had a little play and blew a few impressive holes through some 1mm plate.
This could be down to the fact that I have no real idea how to weld, using 0.8 wire- think 0.6 might be better, have no idea of the gas flow rate, no instructions for the machine to set current/wire rate and depressingly that the machine does not have a low enough power setting for thin mild steel plate.

I was using CO2 and the lowest power setting (I think) for my tests. I will also start a 10 week welding course in the next few weeks, this should help eliminate at least one of the unknowns.


I measured the voltage between the earth and the wire (no arc) at the minimum setting, was 20vdc, Maximum was 45vdc.

I am a little confused with double inductance sockets for the earth they are connected to two taps on the small front transformer, possibly "A" connector for low current, "C" for high ??
I measured the voltage when connecting the earth to both A or C, the voltages were the same !!
Does anybody know what is the difference between the
double inductance A and C earth plugs ??

Do any of you kind folk have any manuals/docs for this bit of kit, or recognise it, perhaps it was label engineered from/to another make ?

Thank you all again.

 

[shenion]

Inductance controls the wetability of the weld pool. Higher inductance has a softer arc and the pool flows better for flatter welds.

The higher inductance will also effect the current slope (droop). With no load you will measure the same voltage on both terminals.

20V may be a bit high for thin metal (usually around 16-17v), but with no load it may be a false reading. Especially since I see a bank of caps in the bottom. With no load that will be the peak voltage. It is probably closer to 15v under load (and 32v on highest setting).

0.6mm wire would probably be better.

 

[Jackthelamb]

Thank you for your advice.

I will try some 0.6 wire.