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  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    Tasmania
    Posts
    50

    Default 3 phase mig for panel work?

    Greetings

    I have picked up an old WIA 300amp 3phase machine which I will use for my heavier fabrication jobs and farm equipment repairs.

    I have been told these machines can be better light work machines than small single phase welders as they can go very low and are smoother. Is this correct?

    Can you set up the wire feeder for 0.6mm wire? Are these old machines worth spending money on?

    I have a Bernard gun and Tweco adaptor or could easily drop a Euro gun on it with a small liner. Might have to make 0.6mm rollers though? The wire feeder is driven by both rollers so maybe that is a plus.

    I'm hopeful but sceptical as I don't believe these machines were ever designed for light work.

    Thanks in advance Craig

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2014
    Location
    South of Adelaide
    Posts
    1,225

    Default

    I don't see why it wouldn't work. With 0.8 wire we have them set mid range at work, so still plenty of adjustment to drop the amps and wire speed. You can run flat rollers with solid wire, so you shouldn't have to make some. That machine is defiantly worth spending money on, all simple and easy to fix controls, unlike the modern machines with control boards worth big $$$$.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    Tasmania
    Posts
    50

    Default

    Thanks snapatap.
    Are the WIA machines pretty reliable? They look very robust and well made. I love old Aussie gear, but it saddens me to see our capacity to make our own stuff disappearing.
    I hadn't thought to just use flat rollers, I expected a lack of drive. I guess both wheels driving would make a lot of difference.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Lebrina
    Posts
    1,910

    Default

    Don't let the old WIA out of your sight! They are a beautiful machine and far better than anything WIA "produce" now - Chinese made in many cases.
    Well worth spending a dollar on, although you probably won't need to as not much tends to go wrong and parts are generally generic and available.
    It would be in your interest to convert to a EURO fitting if you plan on doing both panel work and heavier work as you can easily swap guns (EURO guns are readily available and cheap) so you could have a small gun setup for panel work and a larger 3 or 400 amp gun for meatier jobs. Only downside to the WIA feeder is that rollers tend to be expensive compared to the newer machines, however, you may be pleasantly surprised at how low you can tune your machine with .9 wire.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    Tasmania
    Posts
    50

    Default

    Thanks Karl. I have machined up a bobbin that fits the Bernard socket and threaded the end to take the M10 Euro adaptor. It all works nicely but I think I will fold up a support bracket as it is a lot to hang off the hollow M10 spindle, especially if you are reefing it from place to place.
    I am yet to try it on low settings on panel material as I decided to strip the machine, replace the sockets and all internal hoses and give it a paint and good clean. Should be like new in a weeks time.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Adelaide
    Posts
    103

    Default

    WIA are excellent, particularly the Bernard guns (torch), smooth, small trigger action, feel so much more controllable than the Tweco (to me, anyway).

  7. #7
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Murray Bridge S Aust.
    Age
    71
    Posts
    5,942

    Default

    If you want to use .6 wire, I'd use a short gun lead, have seen where it creates problems in the lining, particularly if the wire welds itself to the tip. Personally I'd run the .9 wire for all the welding, light to heavy.
    Kryn
    To grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Mackay North Qld
    Posts
    6,446

    Default

    I am with Karl on the WIA comments. The old ones are built like brick dunnies.

    The Tafe that I started teaching in had WIA machines.

    The apprentices could not break them and they were fairly adept at breaking most things.

    Bear in mind that any stoppages in the old style machines were 99% mechanical. There was not much electrical to go wrong and what there was could be readily fixed.

    Grahame

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Lebrina
    Posts
    1,910

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Grahame Collins View Post
    I am with Karl on the WIA comments. The old ones are built like brick dunnies.

    The Tafe that I started teaching in had WIA machines.

    The apprentices could not break them and they were fairly adept at breaking most things.

    Bear in mind that any stoppages in the old style machines were 99% mechanical. There was not much electrical to go wrong and what there was could be readily fixed.

    Grahame
    Yep, that's why the old Fabricators still are a sought after machine and bring a very good dollar for the seller.
    If ever we experience a nuclear bomb, only cockroaches and WIA Fabricators will be left!

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