Thread: I love my MIG - Sunday project

I have the urge to share my headswell so I apologise now for any envy caused!

I purchased this RowenArc MIG off Ebay for $150 a few years ago. There were no other bids.

RowenArc is an English brand and the machine was apparently either made here under licence or assembled here using 'both local and imported ingredients'.

It is rated at 300 amps continuous, and is a true 3 phase welder. Most 415v welders (what I've seen anyway) run off only two legs of a 3 phase supply. This machine has connection for all three legs and has three separate main transformers.



Check out the size of that wire drive!



It came with a trolley with a boom on which the wire drive is mounted. I have yet to do something about the trolley because it is a bad design (it tips over if you have the boom out sideways) and it is a pig to move.

Some work was needed (obviously) and it needed a new main contactor, new gas solenoid, I put in new amp and voltage meters (not critical), added cabling and hose (there was about six inches left at either end), tidied up the wiring, cleaned out the cooling fan (it wouldn't spin) and rebuilt the wire drive.

The wire drive originally had a clamp type gun, which I have converted to a Euro connector, machining all the parts myself, and mounted everything on a plate. The plate can be removed and placed on a small trolley to make it mobile. I should add a lifting eye to the plate, because getting off the boom and on to the trolley needs BIG muscles and I wouldn't dare try it with a roll of wire on it.

Cost all up was about $500 (parts only) and I performed all repairs myself. It wouldn't have been worth it (for many people) to pay someone to do it.

When I fix up the trolley I'll give it a lick of paint too.

It is a brilliant welder with heaps of guts. I have cut 20mm plate with it. Not just blow holes in it, but actually cut it!

It welds beautifully. Here was today's project, a set of adjustable stands for a bloke at work, whose brother is into weightlifting.



The weld.



A bit of sandblasting was involved. The BBQ was used to dry the sand. The larger pipe was painted with too much cheap black enamel and had dried drip marks all along it.



All finished... beer o'clock!



If your handy an older machine might be what you are looking for, but bear in mind that parts might be scarce or you will have to fix/make them yourself. However, they don't build'em like they used to!

Top bit of gear Gerbilsquasher.
Good buying.
It will see you out. I recall using something like that.It had the 2 wheels at back and 1 at front type trolley.
Solid as brick dunny.

If they don't get chewed up with metallic dust they will last forever.Blow them out regular and you be sweet.

Grahame

Looks pretty heavy duty!

Great to see people recycling older machines, most people would have just throw it out because its easier. Good on ya

Cheers

UglyDan

Originally Posted by Grahame Collins

Top bit of gear Gerbilsquasher.
Good buying.
It will see you out. I recall using something like that.It had the 2 wheels at back and 1 at front type trolley.
Solid as brick dunny.

If they don't get chewed up with metallic dust they will last forever.Blow them out regular and you be sweet.

Grahame

Thanks!

I forget to mention the compressed air treatment. There was quite a buildup of 'fuzz' inside too!