|
|
|
Thanks for all the replies guys, I am struggling to get a decent bead off it, on the odd occasion I get a good one, other times its shocking. Thats about right, I got similar from my sip130 turbo. I found I had to use a lot higher setting than really needed and that would give good welds when its shocking and if your weren't quick enough it would blow through when it was good. I only ever did pulses of welding with it as beads are a PITA. If you look through the datsun build thread ( click on picture below) all the welds upto the big welder intro are done with the sip.
|
|
1977 datsun 810 180b estate
|
|
|
|
|
|
The curse word bead is probably the welder. I've got a Clarke 150 and it's never struggled. 0.6 or 0.8 wire, doesn't matter, it always works fine. I've heard nothing but horror stories about SIP welders. I also wonder if people have faulty regulators on their disposable bottles. I've only ever used them (10 years now) and they last ages. You do get a LOT more CO2 in a bottle than argon or Argoshield though. Always go for the 600g bottles, not the smaller ones
|
|
|
|
adi
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,426
|
|
|
I think what I have is a 600g bottle, but next time I'l try CO2 for sure. What I really don't like about the regulator is the way the tiny gas pipe just pushes into it, that can't be good for a proper seal surely?
|
|
|
|
tofufi
South West
Posts: 1,454
|
|
|
I also wonder if people have faulty regulators on their disposable bottles. I've only ever used them (10 years now) and they last ages. You do get a LOT more CO2 in a bottle than argon or Argoshield though. Always go for the 600g bottles, not the smaller ones I've often thought this too. I use the Machine Mart 600g bottles, and I think I've used 4 bottles in the last 4 years, including a full resto on a Beetle and bits and pieces on other cars too.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
if your getting small pits in the weld, this is porosity, normally caused by no Arc shield (maybe no gas/gas flow is up too high and blowing the arc everywhere)
MMA wouldnt be any good for car panels I wouldnt think.
|
|
|
|
adi
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,426
|
|
|
I bet I could get a perfect bead with an MMA on a car panel 1st or 2nd go though Just hate slag ingestion, and nothing is worse than slag burning through your clothes when your laying down doing it! My initial thoughts on the pitting was not enough/too much gas, will just have to keep playing with the pressure. So the general concensus is to invest in a new regulator then?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I'd agree with Johnny69 in saying the problem is more likely to be your welder, or the wire liner. Here's a guide to testing and replacing a liner on a SIP Migmate 130: www.mig-welding.co.uk/sip-wirefeed.htm
|
|
I've got Rovers.
|
|
adi
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,426
|
|
|
That link above, is the most informative thing I've read so far on my welder, and it explains most of my symptoms! New wire liner required then!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
You do get a LOT more CO2 in a bottle than argon or Argoshield though. Always go for the 600g bottles, not the smaller ones This is totally the truth, I use the disposable bottles from Halfrauds because I'm lazy and don't do that much welding. First time I bought one of each by accident and was amazed by how quickly the Argon / CO2 disappeared and how long the CO2 lasted. I assumed it was a duff bottle so repeated the exercise a few months later when I was welding again and the same thing happened. Thanks very much for the SIP welder liner how too as well. I have a stuttery Migmate 130 and assumed the major source of trouble was my incompetance (it may still be) but that thread on switching to a metal liner looks very useful!. Rob
|
|
'55 Austin A30
'71 MGB GT
'72 Datsun 240 shed
'72 Mercedes 240D
'79 Firebird
'86 Austin Maestro Van
'91 Mercedes 250D
'91 BMW e34 535i Sport
'92 Mazda MX-5
|
|
|
|
|
|
pub bottles are the answer, as somebody else has mentioned. You don't need to rent them, they generally do them on trust, and I pay £7 each to have empties swapped for full ones, dropped at my door. That's straight C02 by the way. Fine for thinner stuff (under 4mm or so, above that argoshield is ideally a better bet)
|
|
|
|
|
robg2
Part of things
Posts: 815
|
|
|
That's a good link.
How does it work? Do you literally turn up with an empty bottle and say 'I'm using this for car body repairs, can you fill it please?".
|
|
|
|