SIP Migmate welder - works as far as I know. Anyone know better?
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Bunsen
May 28, 2014, 4:31:38 PM5/28/14
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Some time ago, I brought my SIP Migmate welder to the space. Having checked my post from back then, I see that I did suggest a cutoff date of a month and it's still there- so apologies for that.
That said, that post was also an offer to loan it to the space and as far as I know, some people have been making use of it - certainly I've been told since then verbally by a few metal bashers they're fine with it being there.
But that was then and now we have an upgraded, functional metal bashing space. My Migmate, on the other hand, is not connected to gas and I for one don't know where the hose that will connect it.
With there being access control on the brand new welder (and big thanks for that to Daryl), it's been mentioned to me that the Migmate may be a liability, as people of unknown levels of competence may use it and either damage it, or at least, waste the gas bought for the new welder.
I am mindful of all this and of the lack of ongoing permission. But it's heavy and when I move it, I want to make sure I'm moving it for good.
So I am now deciding whether to ask if can store the Migmate while I test it, or to ask if it is still of use to the space, or to just take it home.
But for now, I want to ask anyone who has used it, or failed to use it, if there are any problems with it which they can describe?
So far I have got:
The hose has no connection to the gas (obviously)
The wire feed slows down once it gets hot.
The torch end got squashed (fixed now).
Does anyone have any info they could come forward with on these or other problems with this welder?
In particular, anyone know where the black silicone hose from the Parweld is?
T
That said, that post was also an offer to loan it to the space and as far as I know, some people have been making use of it - certainly I've been told since then verbally by a few metal bashers they're fine with it being there.
But that was then and now we have an upgraded, functional metal bashing space. My Migmate, on the other hand, is not connected to gas and I for one don't know where the hose that will connect it.
With there being access control on the brand new welder (and big thanks for that to Daryl), it's been mentioned to me that the Migmate may be a liability, as people of unknown levels of competence may use it and either damage it, or at least, waste the gas bought for the new welder.
I am mindful of all this and of the lack of ongoing permission. But it's heavy and when I move it, I want to make sure I'm moving it for good.
So I am now deciding whether to ask if can store the Migmate while I test it, or to ask if it is still of use to the space, or to just take it home.
But for now, I want to ask anyone who has used it, or failed to use it, if there are any problems with it which they can describe?
So far I have got:
The hose has no connection to the gas (obviously)
The wire feed slows down once it gets hot.
The torch end got squashed (fixed now).
Does anyone have any info they could come forward with on these or other problems with this welder?
In particular, anyone know where the black silicone hose from the Parweld is?
T
Russ Garrett
May 28, 2014, 4:35:03 PM5/28/14
to London Hack Space
On 28 May 2014 21:31, Bunsen <sucksih...@gmail.com> wrote:
> In particular, anyone know where the black silicone hose from the Parweld
> is?
I believe it's attached to the Parweld at the moment, I managed to
> In particular, anyone know where the black silicone hose from the Parweld
> is?
locate it when I was trying to get it working a week or two back.
However, there is a gas regulator in the metal shop which has an
orange tube coming from it - on the end of the orange tube there
appears to be an adaptor to take the thin white (nylon?) hose that
your welder has.
--
Russ Garrett
ru...@garrett.co.uk
Bunsen
May 28, 2014, 5:16:37 PM5/28/14
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It is indeed still on the Parweld. I'd only just looked, but obviously not closely enough!
Bunsen
Jun 6, 2014, 11:34:02 AM6/6/14
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UPDATE:
The Migmate essentially works (using the orange pipe and the adaptor on it), but since I used it previously has become 'a bit spattery'. Also, Warren experienced the gas flow stopping completely while welding.
I intend to check and clean the gas valve in the torch in the second half of next week to see if that improves things.
There are minimal leaks at each side of the big (two gauge) regulator in the translucent white crate. I'm assuming this is normal (right?) , as the gauge shows a steady 23psi whatever the position of the tap.
Finally,
just a reminder that this is my machine, not the space's. It's not just for my use, but I would like people not to use it unless they are sure they're competent enough not to damage it (or themselves).
Folks should know how not to (for example):
Overuse it (duty cycle is apparently 20% ! And it seems to get 'tired' after less than 10 minutes)
Short it
Damage it through movement (the torch reaches the bench without moving it)
Cause the pressurised gas to explode out during disconnection.
Lick the tip of the torch when it 'looks a bit hot'.
(not that you should treat a machine like this if it belonged to the space either)
The metal bashers are also pretty pissed off at the waste of an entire canister of gas through incompetence the exact nature of which is unknown (but likely to be leaving the bottle turned on / connected with leaky junctions).
If you are not totally sure that you won't do any of the above - ask!
If you still aren't sure - don't use the welders!
T
The Migmate essentially works (using the orange pipe and the adaptor on it), but since I used it previously has become 'a bit spattery'. Also, Warren experienced the gas flow stopping completely while welding.
I intend to check and clean the gas valve in the torch in the second half of next week to see if that improves things.
There are minimal leaks at each side of the big (two gauge) regulator in the translucent white crate. I'm assuming this is normal (right?) , as the gauge shows a steady 23psi whatever the position of the tap.
Finally,
just a reminder that this is my machine, not the space's. It's not just for my use, but I would like people not to use it unless they are sure they're competent enough not to damage it (or themselves).
Folks should know how not to (for example):
Overuse it (duty cycle is apparently 20% ! And it seems to get 'tired' after less than 10 minutes)
Short it
Damage it through movement (the torch reaches the bench without moving it)
Cause the pressurised gas to explode out during disconnection.
Lick the tip of the torch when it 'looks a bit hot'.
(not that you should treat a machine like this if it belonged to the space either)
The metal bashers are also pretty pissed off at the waste of an entire canister of gas through incompetence the exact nature of which is unknown (but likely to be leaving the bottle turned on / connected with leaky junctions).
If you are not totally sure that you won't do any of the above - ask!
If you still aren't sure - don't use the welders!
T
Ndlovu (aka) Dean
Jun 9, 2014, 2:14:50 PM6/9/14
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The space curently has a working mig welder and I personally dont see the point in having a secondary welder that is not the spaces that has never worked well or properly and the owner does not know what to do and just wants some one to repair it for him in the metal work area,
the metal work room has a limit to the space in it and is not a free repair service for personal eqipment I have spent sevral hour explain this as have a few other member of the metal work group
What I propose is that the owner has three weeks to repair it as has been the guidline with all other abandoned kit in the space and the he should then take it home or it should be disposed of
We do not have a need for yet another personal non functioning machine in the space
Billy
Jun 13, 2014, 5:18:16 PM6/13/14
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I may have got the wrong end of the stick, but i thought that the new Mig welder was still waiting on the Access Control system to be installed. It had a sign on it, saying Do Not Use, Prepwork In Progress.
Unless there's been another announcement i've missed... :))
Liam Lynch
Jun 13, 2014, 6:25:32 PM6/13/14
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Hi Billy.
In the spirit of openess, this is for anyone who cares to read it.
The new welder is currently access limited. The electrical connector is 16A, and the tourch locked away for safe keeping for the moment.
This is whilst we are working out the issue of tranining and Anode control, and work out how to handle the expense of consumables
The is based on the history of the exsisting Mig welder. We have had smashed regulators, wasted gas bottles and torches that have been crushed, let alone people trying to weld aluminium with a steel wire and gas combination.
Hence the metal bashers have taken it under there wing. The intention is to bring it to a wider access, and the metal bashers are doing this. We are having some success with the lathe rolling out training, we have been openly discussing Arc welding and it is logical think we will do the same with the Mig.
However we are a small group, and meet on a Wend evening. If anyone is wanting things to happen faster please join us, join in and more will happen.
Liam
Bunsen
Jun 16, 2014, 5:49:32 AM6/16/14
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I'm going to reply to Dean's post. Sorry for the length-I don't intend to start some flame war, but some of what is stated as fact there is way incorrect and I have no way of knowing how seriously it will be taken by anyone on (or just lurking on) this thread.
>The space curently has a working mig welder and I personally dont see the point in having a secondary welder ... the metal work room has a limit to the space in it.
OK. To avoid misunderstandings: I have heard and understood this. It is a valid opinion. However, as Dean is the only person who has expressed either of these points to me either personally or on the list, it is the valid opinion of one man.
Hopefully, Dean, you will understand that I will wait for others to chip in before taking this as consensus (and in case people are holding back out of some kind of politeness, nerves or group conformity, please don't - I have no idea where I stand when it is only Dean who will volunteer his opinion to me).
(Liam spoke to me about untrained people using the machines, including mine, but I understand that to be a different issue, primarily about the welfare of my machine and the new one and of the gas.)
>has never worked well or properly.
It did work perfectly well when I brought it to the space. It was set up for disposable bottles. It was then modified to work with proper gas bottles and continued to work. I used it, Luis used it, it worked.
After using it for a ten-minute stint, James found the wire feed slowing down. Arguably, it's only a little welder - don't use it for a full ten minutes without letting it cool down.
It has since developed a gas supply problem, the possible causes of which I am in the process of testing so that they can be fixed. By me.
>The space curently has a working mig welder and I personally dont see the point in having a secondary welder ... the metal work room has a limit to the space in it.
OK. To avoid misunderstandings: I have heard and understood this. It is a valid opinion. However, as Dean is the only person who has expressed either of these points to me either personally or on the list, it is the valid opinion of one man.
Hopefully, Dean, you will understand that I will wait for others to chip in before taking this as consensus (and in case people are holding back out of some kind of politeness, nerves or group conformity, please don't - I have no idea where I stand when it is only Dean who will volunteer his opinion to me).
(Liam spoke to me about untrained people using the machines, including mine, but I understand that to be a different issue, primarily about the welfare of my machine and the new one and of the gas.)
>has never worked well or properly.
It did work perfectly well when I brought it to the space. It was set up for disposable bottles. It was then modified to work with proper gas bottles and continued to work. I used it, Luis used it, it worked.
After using it for a ten-minute stint, James found the wire feed slowing down. Arguably, it's only a little welder - don't use it for a full ten minutes without letting it cool down.
It has since developed a gas supply problem, the possible causes of which I am in the process of testing so that they can be fixed. By me.
>I have spent sevral hour explain this as have a few other member of the metal work group
No. Only Dean talked on the subject of the suitability of the space for repair of any kind. No-one else. And though it was more like 20 mins, I wasn't too chuffed about the length of that simple conversation either, Dean.
>the owner does not know what to do and just wants some one to repair it for him in the metal work area,
>the metal work room ... is not a free repair service for personal eqipment.
This is just untrue.
It is correct that I have been asking a lot of advice from people, firstly about welding generally and specifically on this machine, about the pipe connections, about the current state of the welder (as the others that used it knew this and not me), and about potential solutions. I have also asked to be assessed in order to get access to the new welder.
What I have never asked for and did not seek, is anyone fixing my machine for me - I would prefer to have the hands-on experience of doing it myself.
I have tried (within the boundaries of space etiquette as far as I understand it and with regard to the need to actually get stuff done instead of treading on eggshells) not to be an annoyance to those I am seeking help from. Obviously in Dean's case I failed there, but you'll just have to take my word for it, Dean, I did try.
Everything that I have asked of people has been in the spirit of sharing knowledge, rather than getting someone to do my stuff for me. While it has been a one way process (and thanks to everyone who has helped, you included, Dean) I think it's quite important to be clear on the difference between those two things and not to have people say that one equals the other.
The only logical conclusion that I can see of preventing people from asking others to share their knowledge is that the voices in the space with more knowledge (in truth- those with more power or more confidence to impose their will), will coalesce into an experts' group which will be difficult for any outsiders to penetrate.
As I undertstand it, that would be against the ethics of the Hackspace (though I can't be sure, since there does seem to be a deafening silence in LHS around the issue of inclusiveness)
>What I propose is that the owner has three weeks to repair it as has been the guidline with all other abandoned kit >in the space and the he should then take it home or it should be disposed of.
That is a concrete proposal. I would vote against it ATM, but only because I believe it unnecessary for the reasons in my earlier post. Far more important to me is how others are feeling around it (which is something I don't know, having only Dean's evidence to go by).
It would be helpful, now that there is a concrete proposal, if people who have not up til now reached their personal threshold to comment, could express their opinion nonetheless (you can PM me if you're shy). If everyone sits on their hands, then the lack of consensus and the aggravation that goes with it are likely to drag on.
Thanks.
T
This is just untrue.
It is correct that I have been asking a lot of advice from people, firstly about welding generally and specifically on this machine, about the pipe connections, about the current state of the welder (as the others that used it knew this and not me), and about potential solutions. I have also asked to be assessed in order to get access to the new welder.
What I have never asked for and did not seek, is anyone fixing my machine for me - I would prefer to have the hands-on experience of doing it myself.
I have tried (within the boundaries of space etiquette as far as I understand it and with regard to the need to actually get stuff done instead of treading on eggshells) not to be an annoyance to those I am seeking help from. Obviously in Dean's case I failed there, but you'll just have to take my word for it, Dean, I did try.
Everything that I have asked of people has been in the spirit of sharing knowledge, rather than getting someone to do my stuff for me. While it has been a one way process (and thanks to everyone who has helped, you included, Dean) I think it's quite important to be clear on the difference between those two things and not to have people say that one equals the other.
The only logical conclusion that I can see of preventing people from asking others to share their knowledge is that the voices in the space with more knowledge (in truth- those with more power or more confidence to impose their will), will coalesce into an experts' group which will be difficult for any outsiders to penetrate.
As I undertstand it, that would be against the ethics of the Hackspace (though I can't be sure, since there does seem to be a deafening silence in LHS around the issue of inclusiveness)
>What I propose is that the owner has three weeks to repair it as has been the guidline with all other abandoned kit >in the space and the he should then take it home or it should be disposed of.
That is a concrete proposal. I would vote against it ATM, but only because I believe it unnecessary for the reasons in my earlier post. Far more important to me is how others are feeling around it (which is something I don't know, having only Dean's evidence to go by).
It would be helpful, now that there is a concrete proposal, if people who have not up til now reached their personal threshold to comment, could express their opinion nonetheless (you can PM me if you're shy). If everyone sits on their hands, then the lack of consensus and the aggravation that goes with it are likely to drag on.
Thanks.
T
tgreer
Jun 16, 2014, 6:50:22 AM6/16/14
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Hi T.
I'm going to jump in at this point.
The consensus that came out of our discussion was that your welder has realistically never worked. Whenever someone had tried to used it, they found it failed to function properly, and was left alone. I'm pretty sure we were fairly clear there was no need for your welder to reside in the space any longer. In fact we specifically said the number of different welders (mostly non functioning) was confusing members and requested you take it home.
I recall all of us (Dean, yourself, myself and one other) standing in the metal workshop discussing this. You became very much in peoples faces and wouldn't leave us alone, even after we'd finished our conversation and we had moved on to other things. You hassled a lot of our members about fixing your welder, including people (like myself) who have no answer for you, but you would not drop it. You've returned multiple times to do this.
We have a fully functioning welder in the space now, I think it's time you took your personal property home and stopped harassing us to fix your welder.
I severely doubt there's anyone who wants this broken welder to stay in the space, given the grief it's causing us.
Regards
Thomas
Bunsen Mister
Jun 17, 2014, 3:12:05 PM6/17/14
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OK, then. Implausible as it may seem to a reader of these posts, I did not come away from that 'discussion' with the impression that there was any consensus, or any informed opinion (other than one person's - Dean's) that the welder should go.
I said that the most important thing to me is how other members are feeling about it and Dean and Thomas at least have made it clear what they think on that issue. No-one seems to have any feeling it should stay, so I will move my (working) welder by Tuesday at the latest.
To each person that I have managed to annoy face to face, I offer my qualified but genuinely felt apologies.
T
I said that the most important thing to me is how other members are feeling about it and Dean and Thomas at least have made it clear what they think on that issue. No-one seems to have any feeling it should stay, so I will move my (working) welder by Tuesday at the latest.
To each person that I have managed to annoy face to face, I offer my qualified but genuinely felt apologies.
T
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