Is it worth repairing

[devlin maguire]

I have been given a Cebora 883,So a couple of questions, it needs a complete new torch, and what is the capability of this machine, what metal thickness will it weld, and can it be used gasless, and overall is iy worht repairing compared to new mightymig 100 for example

 

[cumbriasteve]

Cebora are one of the better makes of machines, not too familiar with the 883 but fairly sure it's a low powered hobby mig, are you sure it's 240v and not 110, just in case it was a common model abroad.

It's always nice to repair and save any machine but there comes a point where common sense takes over and it can be cheaper in the long run and more reliable to buy new.

If you are considering a mightymig 100 then I assume you are mainly into car repairs, if so then my preference in the hobby range would be a Clarke, not saying the mightymig is rubbish but I own a Clarke 135 and it's an excellent machine for the hobby guy, both for car work and a bit heavier when required, in fact I use it on steel well above it's advertised capability on ornamental garden steelwork.

 

[rtbcomp]

Difficult to say without seeing it. Any chance of some photos?

 

[devlin maguire]

I will post some pics later today

Cebora are one of the better makes of machines, not too familiar with the 883 but fairly sure it's a low powered hobby mig, are you sure it's 240v and not 110, just in case it was a common model abroad.

It's always nice to repair and save any machine but there comes a point where common sense takes over and it can be cheaper in the long run and more reliable to buy new.

If you are considering a mightymig 100 then I assume you are mainly into car repairs, if so then my preference in the hobby range would be a Clarke, not saying the mightymig is rubbish but I own a Clarke 135 and it's an excellent machine for the hobby guy, both for car work and a bit heavier when required, in fact I use it on steel well above it's advertised capability on ornamental garden steelwork.

yes I have a camper van project some sill and chassis outriggers and perhaps some internal frame in 1/4 rquare tube x 3mm and at some point a trailer for camping kit, I am more a gas welder guy as that is what I was trained on not done much mig at all

 

[cumbriasteve]

If you are considering 3mm with your present project then my advice would be get something that manages it easily and that would be a 150 amp mig, nothing as sure that you will find other projects in the future that a little bit of spare power comes in handy, especially for a trailer build.

Buy once and buy right is a very accurate saying where a MIG is concerned.

You could of course have a cheap low powered mig and get one of the (£50ish) arc sets for heavier steel, they are not as nice to use, are harder to learn on but are very capable once you get the hang of them, I made many a boat and camping trailer with one.

 

[Windy Miller]

The 883 is a 100A machine - may struggle a bit on 3mm. It probably will weld it, but not very well, and without good penetration. As said above, you'll need a minimum of 150A for 3mm.

 

[devlin maguire]

Cheers all, cant find a thanks button, Another question is I would like to try it out I am going to get a tip and shroud and a reel of gasless wire can I reverse this welder for gasless use if not what the risk of using as is without gas, I do not have gas or a regulator at present but if I can confirm its usable I may well keep it and buy something heavier when I need it, however if it is scrap then a bogger one is on the wish list

 

[Windy Miller]

Not easy to reverse the polarity. See here:
http://www.millerwelds.com/resource...ad.php?22380-I-bought-a-Cebora-883-Pocket-MIG

 

[devlin maguire]

Its a bit of a hassle to do that, can I run some wire though it without gas without damage
Dev

 

[rtbcomp]

I had a Clarke 90EN gas/gasless and I got better results on flux cored wire with the polarity connected the wrong way round! Get the smallest reel of flux cored and see how you go, you won't damage the welder.

 

[devlin maguire]

I have ordered tips shroud and wire from the online shop, I will post up results in due course, Thanks to all who helped

 

[devlin maguire]

The parts arrived today, really good service from weldequip, however, how do I keep the wire on the spool i think there may be a part missing from the spindle anyone got a pic of what it should look like, I have a few pdf,s on this machine but none shows the spool area, I definatly need a new liner and a torch head,the liner is choked half way down and the neck is bunged up too when I push wire into it a springy thing pops out, any pointers would help
Devlin