Topweld140

[cooper1200]

hey all i have been given this but the lady was unsure weath it was a mig or an arc welder. the leads r missing and there doesnt seem to be anywhere to connect gas to so she assumed it was a gasless one.

can anyone point me in the direction of a manual and or somewhere where i can get spares.
thanks
coop

 

[malcolm]

Does it look a little like the one in this photo? That's a SIP Topweld 140 arc welder.

Some info about finding a manual here - http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/manuals.htm but if it is an arc welder there is only one knob and you might find the tutorial useful http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/arc-tutorial.htm

For leads email weldequip http://www.weldequip.com/ to get some made up to suit. Otherwise complete arc welders like that sell cheaply on eBay - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/sip-topweld-140-amp-arc-welder-/170521725299

 

[cooper1200]

thats the beast... is it worth getting leads made up or can i buy a new one cheaper?
coop

 

[malcolm]

I don't know exactly how much new leads would cost but it probably would be cheaper buying a second hand one. Make sure you get one with similar or more power so the leads are chunky enough.

What do you want the welder for? Arc welders are only sensible for 3mm steel and thicker.

 

[cooper1200]

i got an exhaust to weld up... plus in the future im thinking of restoring old cars
coop

 

[malcolm]

Arc welder would be no good to you for exhaust or car work - it's better suited to 3mm or thicker and will blow holes in thinner stuff.

MIG welders are easiest for thinner stuff, but the cheap ones aren't a whole lot better than arc welders. Minimum we tend to recommend for car bodywork is a Clarke running shielding gas.

 

[cooper1200]

u got a model number?

 

[malcolm]

Any old Clarke from 90 to 160. All fairly equivalent for thin metal, but the bigger the number the thicker steel you'll be able to weld. Buyers guide might help demystify.

For the Clarkes EN suffix tend to be dual purpose (options to run gasless and shielding gas) and the others are with shielding gas only.

Will have to bale out for the evening - others feel free to join in.