MIG welder help

[thegrouse]

I was given this welder a few years ago. I wired in a 230V circuit but I have never hooked it up. I have done some Oxy/Acy RG45 stuff and some brazing but I have never done any arc welding at all. I read a book and watched a few Youtube videos. I am trying to set this machine up. I am having trouble figuring out the shielding gas system. There is a regulator with a hose that has a brass fitting on the end but the machine only has a clear plastic tubing going into it. Am I missing a piece? The machine is labeled a Solar 2160. It appears to be a Century 117-067 model. I will try to get some photos

[thegrouse]

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[Jakesfish]

you need a bottle of 75/25 gas, and get ready to pay, check the welding tips, wire size, They w/ a lil work, can build a lot of toys...

[thegrouse]

I can pick up the gas locally but how to I get the gas through the brass regulator I have into the plastic tube that goes into the machine?

[DarrellS]

Use 100% CO2 instead of 75/25. Lasts much longer and much cheaper.

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[thegrouse]

How can I get the CO2 into the machine with the setup I have? Is there a piece I am missing?

[DarrellS]

Originally Posted by thegrouse

How can I get the CO2 into the machine with the setup I have? Is there a piece I am missing?

Have to change to nipple on the flow gauge. And screw it to a co2 bottle which can be rented monthly or yearly from and welding supply company.

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[thegrouse]

Thank you. So I just need to purchase a pipe fitting to barbed connection for my setup?

[DarrellS]

Originally Posted by thegrouse

Thank you. So I just need to purchase a pipe fitting to barbed connection for my setup?

That's what it looks like on the welder end. Then change nipple out on flow meter to fit co2 bottle.

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[PBFrijoles]

Get a good regulator. I use 75/25 but I’m just a hobby welder. Buy the bottle, I did years ago and saved $$$.


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[JES]

Buy the bottle, it is cheaper then renting and when you run out you just swap the bottle for a full one.

I think all your missing is the valve to the bottle. I think the hose should thread directly into the back of your welder, is there no threaded port for the black hose in the back of the machine? I’m trying to recall what’s on the back of mine, I have a Hobart and I don’t recall using a clear hose.

[thegrouse]

If you look at my first picture you can see the regulator that attaches to the bottle. My second picture shows the flexible tubing that goes into the back of the machine. I think I can get a brass fitting that will connect the two? For my use I may just try some flux core wiring. If I actually use this machine it will be welding broken pieces of metal together and maybe working on a camping trailer. Any reason I need to go the shielding gas route?

[ATControlFreak]

Load your welder up and take it to the welding supply company. They should be able to get you the items you need to make it work and you'll only have to make one trip.

[thegrouse]

I got this thing feeding wire now. Looks like solid wire. Is this brass piece on the opposite end of the whip from welding tip supposed to be held in with Allen set screw? Here is a photo from the back of the machine


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[hot_rod_eddie]

To answer your first question. Your hose on the regulator is likely a 5/8"x18 male. You need a 5/8"x18 female/ Barb adapter fitting. Take both hoses into a welding store and they can hook you up with the adapter. Or if you know the exact size of the threads and the ID of the clear hose, you can easily find the adapter online.

[hot_rod_eddie]

https://www.weldmart.com/main/techni...eshooting.html

[thegrouse]

Originally Posted by hot_rod_eddie

https://www.weldmart.com/main/techni...eshooting.html

Thank you. Can I just put in some flux core wire the same size as the wire in there now and start practicing without shielding gas?

[sr1209]

I just picked up a mig welder to learn on myself. My welder requires different polarity between solid wire/gas and flux core wire, not sure if yours is the same.

[Cultured Hick]

Originally Posted by thegrouse

Thank you. Can I just put in some flux core wire the same size as the wire in there now and start practicing without shielding gas?

Yes you can use flux cored wire. It spatters a little more than solid wire and is more expensive, but works fine.

[TTU TX Hunter]

Originally Posted by sr1209

I just picked up a mig welder to learn on myself. My welder requires different polarity between solid wire/gas and flux core wire, not sure if yours is the same.

This is correct information! I’m sure you can use Flux with that machine but you will have to swap your polarity over or it will not work right.

[thegrouse]

Thank you. Do I just make the ground lead positive using these jumpers to change polarity?


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[hot_rod_eddie]

Can't see where your cables go, but flux-cored welding requires DC electrode negative.

[DarrellS]

Originally Posted by JES

Buy the bottle, it is cheaper then renting and when you run out you just swap the bottle for a full one.

I pay $40 per year for my co2 bottle and swat when needed. Only paying for the co2 in the bottle.



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[thegrouse]

Originally Posted by hot_rod_eddie

Can't see where your cables go, but flux-cored welding requires DC electrode negative.

Thank you. That would make sense. The ground clamp currently goes into the upper left and that little chart on the front would indicate a DC - if I changed their position.

[thegrouse]

Originally Posted by Cultured Hick

Yes you can use flux cored wire. It spatters a little more than solid wire and is more expensive, but works fine.

I may start out practicing with this and add a shielding gas if I find I need it for an application. I don't really have any current use for the machine but I should at least know how to operate it if it is in the garage.

[ReidJustin]

Indeed, in my opinion, the most economical and at the same time effective solution will be the use of 100% CO2, besides it will help you somewhat to understand the situation. The model that you have is already considered outdated today and you should buy something newer to work with welding. I always change the welding machine every few years. I combine my work as a welder with advanced training courses( you can find a lot of useful information there - https://weldingnearyou.com/careers/welding-technician/) and learned a few schemes that may be of interest to you.

[Kossetx]

Originally Posted by thegrouse

Thank you. Can I just put in some flux core wire the same size as the wire in there now and start practicing without shielding gas?

As I was scrolling through this thread this is what I was thinking. If you are unfamiliar with welding, flux core is the way to find out if your going to like it or not before buying tanks and parts.

[cva34]

In photo of - and + they could be just plugs so just pull and swap..to change polarity.My machine has wing nuts to remove to swap...as for flux core it can really shine in windy outdoor conditions...But gas shield in controlled conditions sure make clean splatter free welds.

as for fittings go to Welding supply with your parts and machine they can fix you up...and not TSC cause their gas prices are HIGH..2/or 3 times...Went to get swap a bottle of 02 a while back it was $58bucks I said no..went to weld supply it was $18