Is this worth getting going?

[Jim G]

Hi, I'm just after a bit of advice before I start spending.

I've never done mig welding before, but can tig and arc fairly well. I bought an old Cebora Mig welder a while ago because it was offered to me, and I could now do with getting it going to make some farm gates. I've never used it properly, but the wire drive seems to work off the trigger. The question is, is it worth trying or better off starting again and getting another?

I was debating getting some new wire and a liner, but I don't know if it is a good or bad welder and didn't want to waste money I could put towards a new one.

Cheers

Jim

 

[gaz1]

for what its worth if you can test it with just the mig wire and does it do poor welding should see if its any good try it on all settings to test it

to be honest alot of the old ceboras was a loverly machine

as goes for the wire rub down with some green brillo pad on the wire to test it

 

[Jim G]

Cheers for the reply. I haven't got gas yet, so can it be tested briefly without gas just to see if it feeds and arcs up?

 

[julianthegypsy]

If it was me, I'd definitely try it with new wire, and if it works, fit a new liner. Even if you don't end up using it you'll have a roll of wire and a working torch.

 

[Jim G]

If it was me, I'd definitely try it with new wire, and if it works, fit a new liner. Even if you don't end up using it you'll have a roll of wire and a working torch.

I see what you mean. Would you go for 0.6mm or 0.8mm for 2mm box section?

 

[Robert Weaver]

Yes, it should arc up without gas but weld quality will be poor.

 

[julianthegypsy]

Cheers for the reply. I haven't got gas yet, so can it be tested briefly without gas just to see if it feeds and arcs up?

You should also hear the gas solenoid clicking, unless it's stuck, which is a minor problem. My bet is that it'll work.

 

[Jim G]

Yes, it should arc up without gas but weld quality will be poor.

OK cheers, I'll give it a go and see what happens

You should also hear the gas solenoid clicking, unless it's stuck, which is a minor problem. My bet is that it'll work.

Hopefully! Is this the place to be asking about which gas and which supplier? I imagine it has been discussed elsewhere

 

[Robert Weaver]

It probably has been. You have 2 questions: contract or deposit, and what are you using it for? I've got hobbyweld 5 from local motor factor; deposit and pay as you go. For TIG, I've got Ar on contract from boc.

Depends on who's nearest you and how much you'll use.

Co2 and co2/ar mix lend themselves to different heat inputs. General purpose steel MIG can be either, but co2 can produce more spatter than hw5.

The little 600cc bottles from machine mart don't last and aren't cost effective.

 

[Jim G]

It probably has been. You have 2 questions: contract or deposit, and what are you using it for? I've got hobbyweld 5 from local motor factor; deposit and pay as you go. For TIG, I've got Ar on contract from boc.

Depends on who's nearest you and how much you'll use.

Co2 and co2/ar mix lend themselves to different heat inputs. General purpose steel MIG can be either, but co2 can produce more spatter than hw5.

The little 600cc bottles from machine mart don't last and aren't cost effective.

I've found BOC and hobbyweld suppliers close by, so I'll give the hobbyweld 5 a go. Cheers for the help

 

[Wozzaaah]

I see what you mean. Would you go for 0.6mm or 0.8mm for 2mm box section?

0.8mm