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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Mornington Peninsula
    Posts
    183

    Default Important FYI: Kemppi MinArc 180 Adaptive 5kg Spool Problem

    Well I found out the hard way today an annoying issue with the Kemppi.

    Up until today I had been welding stainless with a 1kg spool and all has been well.

    But today I had a job for work to weld up an RHS frame, so I promptly fitted my 5kg 0.6mm spool and upon closing the hatch noticed it didn't close to well. Thought nothing of it until I started welding!

    Long story short be very very careful what size 5kg spool you get for your Kemppi. I used a CIGWELD spool and it does not fit.

    The only solution was to cut off the plastic tabs that hold on the instructions inside the lid. Not critical and not a big deal but on ~$1,600 machine it's not really acceptable.

    Apparently it's a known problem too. Never thought to ask that though.

    Currently running with lid shut but it's not perfectly shut but it will do.

    I will measure up the width of the spool and try and find another supplier/brand that has a thinner 5kg spool.

    In the process I found out that the Kemppi goes BEEP when the wire feed gets jammed. Mind you, you kinda notice when you are welding.

    Cheers

    Justin

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    59

    Default

    How old is the spool of wire ,
    I remember this was a problem (a cigweld problem, when they decided to source most of their gear from china they had great fun with crappy product ,the first few containers of wire were a joke )
    a few years ago but I haven't come across it in a long time not that Im a fan of the kemppi minarc series I think there's much better value out there ,

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Mornington Peninsula
    Posts
    183

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by dubman View Post
    How old is the spool of wire ,
    I remember this was a problem (a cigweld problem, when they decided to source most of their gear from china they had great fun with crappy product ,the first few containers of wire were a joke )
    a few years ago but I haven't come across it in a long time not that Im a fan of the kemppi minarc series I think there's much better value out there ,
    Not limited Cigweld spools either.

    I might add the welder is fantastic otherwise. I can only assume the use a different "standard" spool in Europe.

    Cheers

    Justin

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    NINGI Qld Australia
    Age
    68
    Posts
    208

    Default

    Yeah I think one of the quirks of buying a European built machine. Whoever you bought your machine from should have filled you in on compatible consumables though. I like my Kemppi machine too but I know that I have to buy compatible wire and fittings for it as well, just goes with the territory I think and shouldn't blame the machine, and that one in particular is deigned for compactness and portability so everything would be minimal for that reason. If a Kemppi dealer can't supply a compatible 5kg spool then that's a bigger problem I guess but surely they can.
    Just measured my spool of 0.9 SS wire Talweld brand (made in Taiwan) and it's spool is 56mm x 202mm.
    A couple of others lying around are 57mm wide WIA spools, (made in China) .

    I just noticed too that Graham Collins made a note of this in another thread: http://www.woodworkforums.com/f160/c...2/#post1104604

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Mackay North Qld
    Posts
    6,446

    Default

    My comment is that some one at Kemppi design needs a big boot in the bum.

    Despite knowing about the less than desirable features on this unit - and they do, nothing has been changed.. I sent them a a nastygram soon after I purchased my unit.

    For $1600 or so you deserve better than:

    • A handpiece and cable that could have come from a a Leggo kit- it does not inspire confidence.
    • A fixed handpiece cable. A euro fitting -sure would make it better with the portability.
    • A better way to change liner cables-see above. Do you have little hands and watchmakers tools?
    • The spool spindle axle? Even the nastiest migs seems to have a reasonable axle bearing that the spool runs on -Not this Kemppi.

      and finally
    • Spool Width- Most other manufacturers seem to handle the fact that not all spools are equal.

    The fella that thought this machine up was maybe absent on the day they studied design at college.
    Even worse Kemppi have not upgraded or improved it and its been on the market several years.

    Also note! mud dauber (barstid wasps) have been known to make nests across $350 (2009 or so) Kemppi circuit boards which then go POOF when energized .Keep them wrapped up when not in use

    Grahame

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Mornington Peninsula
    Posts
    183

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Grahame Collins View Post
    My comment is that some one at Kemppi design needs a big boot in the bum.

    Despite knowing about the less than desirable features on this unit - and they do, nothing has been changed.. I sent them a a nastygram soon after I purchased my unit.

    For $1600 or so you deserve better than:

    • A handpiece and cable that could have come from a a Leggo kit- it does not inspire confidence.
      I know what you are saying but I'm ok with the hand piece as its not much different to my Binzel one i upgraded on my old MIG.
    • A fixed handpiece cable. A euro fitting -sure would make it better with the portability.
      Again that I can tolerate as I'm used to that but I agree it should have a disconnect
    • A better way to change liner cables-see above. Do you have little hands and watchmakers tools?
      Yet to do this so will wait and see.
    • The spool spindle axle? Even the nastiest migs seems to have a reasonable axle bearing that the spool runs on -Not this Kemppi.
      Yeah not the best actually the surface it runs on on the back of the machine, the bit you can't easily modify is rubbish could have made it stick out 5mm at least of square shoulder. My concern is how long will this last? Almost tempted to put some dry lube on it.

      and finally
    • Spool Width- Most other manufacturers seem to handle the fact that not all spools are equal.

      Problem solved but it should never have been a problem in the first place!Machine could have been 5mm wider easily and still be super compact.

    The fella that thought this machine up was maybe absent on the day they studied design at college.
    Even worse Kemppi have not upgraded or improved it and its been on the market several years.

    Also note! mud dauber (barstid wasps) have been known to make nests across $350 (2009 or so) Kemppi circuit boards which then go POOF when energized .Keep them wrapped up when not in use

    Grahame
    On the plus side I do like how it welds and I'm getting used to the very fine tuning of the weld.

    Not 100% sure about running 0.6mm wire though but will see how that goes as I have only just started to weld steel with it. The screen display in Fe mode does say 0.6, 0.8, 0.9 options so i can only assume its ok with it.

    I wonder now if the ESAB Caddy would have a been a better choice.

    Cheers

    Justin

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Mackay North Qld
    Posts
    6,446

    Default

    Hi Justin.
    The machine will run .6mm wire .You just need to be aware of the normal mig issues: they will be increased because of the small diam wire :

    • Keep the cable as straight as possible when welding.
    • Have the wire drive tension adjusted to the point of slipping.
    • Keep contact tip in good nick and recesses a bit into cover shroud.
    • make sure the spool if over wide is not rubbing

    Anything that makes the wire drag will cause you grief in the small diam wire size.
    Grahame

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Mornington Peninsula
    Posts
    183

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Grahame Collins View Post
    Hi Justin.
    The machine will run .6mm wire .You just need to be aware of the normal mig issues: they will be increased because of the small diam wire :

    • Keep the cable as straight as possible when welding.
    • Have the wire drive tension adjusted to the point of slipping.
    • Keep contact tip in good nick and recesses a bit into cover shroud.
    • make sure the spool if over wide is not rubbing

    Anything that makes the wire drag will cause you grief in the small diam wire size.
    Grahame
    Thanks Grahame

    I'm going to get some 0.8mm wire as well and see how that goes.

    I bought the 0.6mm reel before I bought the new MIG as I had just ran out of wire. I find that with the 0.6mm wire i need to adjust up the material thickness a bit to get the right weld.

    Cheers

    Justin

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