arco lincoln minimig 180c

[wayne 4908]

esab smashweld 180

Hi just found these picture of a smashweld 180

 

[Nige]

Just picked up one of these (Snap-on Branded). From an old guy, he`d bought it new, didn`t use it anymore and was selling all his gear.

Welder, ESAB Auto-Dimming Helmet, 90% Full spool of 0.8mm Wire, Gas Cylinder and regulator for £130. I think I got a good deal.

Just spent a little time practising this morning and I`m very pleased with it. Yeah, the wire feed may not be as smooth as a portamig or similar, but this isn`t a comparable machine, I can`t get one of those for the money I had available..

The 3-position switch is broken and only works as on-off, so I can`t try the stitch setting, not something I think I`ll use much anyway ?

The only thing I`m unsure about is keeping the existing torch or swapping to Euro-Torch ? Seems a fair outlay and I`m not certain what benefit that would give me. The gas shroud is held in place by a piece of rubber tubing pushed over the shroud and torch, it was a little loose, so I cable tied it into place and it seems fine.

Not sure what thread the contact tips are, I need to get a few spare as well as a roll of 0.6mm wire and 0.6mm tips for thinner stuff.

Are contact tips `standard` 6mm or do different manufacturers use different tip thread ? Same for the `push on` gas shroud, anyone have a link to a new one please ?

 

[zardoz]

Sounds like you got a nice bargain there Nige. Well done

As far as im aware contact tips and gas shrouds are pretty much standard, for any Euro torch.

You want something like this from this websites friendly and reliable Weldequip

 

[chevy2]

If you're keeping the original torch the tips are standard 6mm,
A bit harder to get the copper tube shrouds,

I posted further back on this thread copies of the manuals for this welder and torch,
Have a browse through there for the shroud part no,
Should make it a bit easier obtaining spares for the original torch?

 

[Nige]

Thanks !

I`ve used weldequip before and wouldn`t hesitate to do so again. He helped me out with my old Clarke Pro 90.

Seen the manual scans, useful

Zardoz, I`m sure it isn`t a Euro-Torch, its the original one.

 

[Nige]

Mine still has the standard torch assembly, like this

I see this one has had the Euro Torch conversion

I`m having wire-feed issues with mine and it makes sense to change to a Euro Torch. There seem to be several readily available kits for the conversion, has anyone done it and if so, is it pretty straight forward ?

 

[chevy2]

I'm still running the stock torch on mine since 1985!
wire feed issue may a problem elsewhere like cheap badly wound wire or feed rollers?

 

[Nige]

I thought that too ! but I cut a length of wire, pulled it through the liner and you can feel it keeps catching, definately the liner. Seems daft changing it like-for-like, may as well go Euro torch.

 

[mike 109444]

Nige take a look through this thread http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=32755&highlight=euro Ok it's not same machine as yours and you already have gas valve, wiring ect but may give you an ideal

 

[Nige]

Thanks for the link, I`ll have a read

 

[Rosepuds]

you can buy a euro adaptor that fits esab machines directly. No modification. Just undo the allan key screw, pull the original torch out and slot in the esab euro connector back in. Mount the plastic flange on the front panel and connect the one trigger wire up. The esab euro connector is a bit more expensive than standard ones, but it is alot easier to fit. PM me if you want further info.

 

[Nige]

Thanks, I`ve found that, but buying one of those and a 4m torch works out another £30 or so compared to buying the `kit` complete with universal adapter plate.

Has anyone fitted the `standard` Euro torch conversion plate to one of these, or does the feed assembly / gas hose proximity mean the only realistic way is with the ESAB connector ?

Before anyone suggests it, I`ve tried ringing Steve (weldequip) who I`ve used before, but it goes straight to answerphone and he hasn`t been online here for almost a month, so I`m guessing he`s away.

 

[Nige]

For info.

Bought one of the ESAB adapters and 4m Euro Torch. The front of the case needed 2 holes drilling to secure the Euro plastic cover, I used the original top hole. Slight modification to the plastic feed `tube` but it only took half an hour or so to do the entire conversion. Would be quicker next time.

Piece of cake and the welder performs SO much better now, not cheap, but definitely worthwhile

 

[Nige]

When I bought my welder, the interval / spot / normal selector switch was broken and had been bypassed. No problem, not something I was bothered about, but I`d like to fix it so the welder is fully functional and I have the option to interval weld if necessary.

Removing the side cover and it`s obvious to see where the switch has been bypassed. (I removed the tape to look at the joints)




A is linked to B
C is linked to D

I`m guessing a 3 position switch is needed, but don`t know how to wire it up. Anyone know what requires changing to swap to the interval welding mode ?

 

[Bobbes]

smashweld 180

Herewith the drawing of the PCB with switch.

 

[Bobbes]

Oke that is better.

 

[Nige]

Excellent.

That give me enough to go on. Thank you

I`m assuming the switch is a DPDT ON-OFF-ON type ? like this:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AC-15A-25...al_Components_Supplies_ET&hash=item2c6ae41bd4

 

[Bobbes]

It's a switch like this (on-on , Double pole and no O in the middle)

 

[Nige]

oh ! I didn`t know that.

I thought it was spot, normal or intermittent.

If that switch is spot or intermittent, how do you select normal ?

 

[Bobbes]

Oke I was wrong. It's a switch with a O in the middle.