Results 1 to 15 of 15
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2021
    Location
    Brisbane
    Posts
    11

    Default New welder mig choice help

    Hi folks,
    I've been spending at least a couple of hours per day for months (years?) learning all I can about welding. I've been keeping my eye out for a deal on a good welder. I ultimately want to specialize in TIG, but I want a good practical solution to do work on my motorcycle, odd jobs, workshop improvements and projects. So, I have found an SIP autoplus 196 turbo (dp) that was at an automotive shop which is shutting down. The unit looks clean for it's age, and the price is $200.Should I pull the trigger on this one? Thanks for any insight you can offer. I'm not familiar with the brand, I think that they were popular in the 90s, made in Italy via the UK where SIP is based. Typical big 4 wheel machines, gas bottle rack, 15kg spool size. Has a spotweld time setting, otherwise, wire speed and current. Cheers!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2018
    Location
    NSW
    Posts
    586

    Default

    If it's in good nick and not rooted, you might be OK.
    Would be worth seeing it in use first if you can wrangle it.
    Parts support may be sparse if not non-existent.

    I'm a bit of a tightarse on things like this, so I'd probably try squeeze a few shekels out of the deal if you can manage it. Proof:
    https://www.grays.com/lot.aspx?lotNumber=0071-8011044

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2021
    Location
    Brisbane
    Posts
    11

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by SmokeyB View Post
    Hi folks,
    I've been spending at least a couple of hours per day for months (years?) learning all I can about welding. I've been keeping my eye out for a deal on a good welder. I ultimately want to specialize in TIG, but I want a good practical solution to do work on my motorcycle, odd jobs, workshop improvements and projects. So, I have found an SIP autoplus 196 turbo (dp) that was at an automotive shop which is shutting down. The unit looks clean for it's age, and the price is $200.Should I pull the trigger on this one? Thanks for any insight you can offer. I'm not familiar with the brand, I think that they were popular in the 90s, made in Italy via the UK where SIP is based. Typical big 4 wheel machines, gas bottle rack, 15kg spool size. Has a spotweld time setting, otherwise, wire speed and current. Cheers!
    Will ad a photo if I can find out how..?

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2021
    Location
    Brisbane
    Posts
    11

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Commander_Keen View Post
    If it's in good nick and not rooted, you might be OK.
    Would be worth seeing it in use first if you can wrangle it.
    Parts support may be sparse if not non-existent.

    I'm a bit of a tightarse on things like this, so I'd probably try squeeze a few shekels out of the deal if you can manage it. Proof:
    https://www.grays.com/lot.aspx?lotNumber=0071-8011044
    Thank you for that, it's a long way from me so I plan on asking a lot more questions, I initially passed on it because it is old and parts are going to be hard to get , but noticed that these have an extra set of smoothing capacitors that may be very useful in turning out decent beads. And it's possible that it's a better quality than the general eBay Ali-express stuff. Wowsa though - $59?

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

    Default To add photo

    I have shifted your post from the SHOW and TELL where it does not belong. Being a question about a welder it belongs in WELDING.

    TO post a picture.

    There is an icon on the Reply To Thread page
    It is used to insert photos and diagrams

    It is located in the second line of icons and is 5th in from the end on the RH side-looks like

    Insert pic Icon copy.png


    CLICK IT.

    You have two choices
    Select from computer or URL

    If pic source is from your computer you can use those computer images you have stored..

    Click BROWSE and it takes you into your own computer files.Select from where your pics are and follow the prompts.

    If you have done it correctly the following should be seen


    [Attach = config]some numbers which refer to your pic [attach] The ATTACH and CONFIG will be presented in capitals but I cant show the sample this way, as the capitals have something to do with the pic insert procedure.

    Grahame

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Oct 2021
    Location
    Brisbane
    Posts
    11

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by SmokeyB View Post
    Will ad a photo if I can find out how..?
    Editor not appearing on mobile version of site. Rookie mistake. photo attached
    Attached Images Attached Images

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Oct 2021
    Location
    Brisbane
    Posts
    11

    Default Photo of SIP 196 turbo superduper etc..

    Seller had uploaded only this one photoSIPwelder02.jpg
    I haven't decided yet. My first thoughts were: not a current model, not a big name, will require 15 amp
    plug, so I'll need to get a converter, which brings me very close to the price for something new and supported.
    Oh, and I'm working out of my garage, this will take up a lot of real estate.
    Thanks to Grahame and Commander_Keen for advice so far.
    Ben

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

    Default

    Ben,

    SIP may not be well known today but in its time was a respected manufacturer of industrial grade welding machines. I taught technology at High School and the department had a pair of SIP spot welders which were high quality.

    SIP did make some DIY level mig machines but they were not real good, least ways the ones I saw.

    Your photo is one of an industrial model and seems to have stood the test of time in the panelshop. No doubt it should be stripped and the inevitable bog dust blown out.

    Potentially the unit is a good buy and appears to be pre inverter technology.The gun cable looks to be a Euro style fitting so an entire replacement gun cable can bereadily obtained and fitted.

    Bobthewelder has some SIP mig parts at https://www.bobthewelder.com.au/SIP-style-Spares/

    For a new to welding beginner, the unit could possibly be very good buy and long lived.It is base level technology- no bells and whistles - but still a solid machine.If should last a long while.

    Grahame

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Apr 2021
    Location
    Adelaide
    Posts
    205

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by SmokeyB View Post
    will require 15 amp plug, so I'll need to get a converter, which brings me very close to the price for something new and supported.
    Ben
    Hi Ben,

    What do you mean by a converter?

    An electrician and parts for a new 15 amp run might be what's needed but there are other less optimal interpretations such as a file on an Earth pin or a short cord with 15A line socket and 10A plug or just changing the plug.

    A 200 amp welder (especially a transformer based one) is going to need a 15A powerpoint - preferably dedicated and branchless.

    Regards

    Jack

  10. #10
    BobL is offline Member: Blue and white apron brigade
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    7,183

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Jack Ryan View Post
    Hi Ben,

    What do you mean by a converter?

    An electrician and parts for a new 15 amp run might be what's needed but there are other less optimal interpretations such as a file on an Earth pin or a short cord with 15A line socket and 10A plug or just changing the plug.

    A 200 amp welder (especially a transformer based one) is going to need a 15A powerpoint - preferably dedicated and branchless.
    Yep, agree 100%.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    near Warragul, Victoria
    Posts
    3,718

    Default Sip

    The hobby level SIP MIG machines have a terrible reputation. A quick Google search will bring up many owners reporting problems.

    I have a hobby level SIP Coppermate...made in Italy. it's a bit of a disaster to use. Instead of using a dedicated wire feed motor power supply transformer, they did the cheap trick of connecting the wire feed motor directly to the same secondary voltage feed that goes to the welding wire. As the work load goes up/down , the feed motor speed goes up/down in a jerky fashion . Many owners have done a mod and built a separate power supply for the wire feed motor, from reports this mod improves the machine greatly. The other common problem is the poorly made plastic wire feed head, the wire feed tension control mechanism is very flimsy . These machines were not cheap when new ( $800 in the 1990s) , these days they often turn up at car swap meets for $50 to $80. If you see one, just keep walking by.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Dec 2018
    Location
    NSW
    Posts
    586

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by SmokeyB View Post
    Wowsa though - $59?
    Probably add GST, plus a buyer's commission of another 10% or so... still plenty of change from a greenback.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Mackay North Qld
    Posts
    6,446

    Default

    A couple of points you might consider about the Grays example SIP machine for $59.

    It was sold in 2018.

    The location was in Katherine NT.

    I would see the $59 selling price was a reflection of the location, lack of recognition of the brand name and the condition that the machine was in.

    The photos showed the open wire drive obviously left open to the elements and rusted. That would deter many buyers.That and the prospect of transport cost of a machine in that condition would deter more buyers. Hence the selling price.

    Whereas the current machine is in a lot better nick and likely to have been working before the close down of the business it belonged to.
    I could not see the regulator, but assume it is out of frame attached to the top of the cylinder.

    If the gas cylinder (shown in Bens pic) is included with the deal it makes a great deal of difference to the pricing.Bear in mind they are not all rented,these days.

    Grahame

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Oct 2021
    Location
    Brisbane
    Posts
    11

    Default UPDATE: A guy found a welder - is happy

    Hi folks,

    So, I put a few questions to the seller of the SIP. Strangely, all I would get was, you have to come and look at it. I said that the questions really can only be answered by the owner - does it weld? Are there known issues (lining needing to be replaced, missing feed rollers, etc) but I didn't get any response OR address. So, this cowboy decided (in spite of Grahame's helpful endorsement of the model as was new) that this is a bit off-putting, and to continue my search. I ended up being first in on a Lincoln invertec v160T pulse. It's a DC TIG/MMA 35%@160A, 100% @135A . I got it, and a few other hand tools, multiple hoses, torch leads/torches, and a metabo cut off saw for
    $250. I was there at 9pm last night picking it up, as seeing any Lincoln gear is unicorn-like. It's certainly used. I would like to have another process (MIG) however, TIG is definitely something that I want to learn. first up though, I plan to purchase/make an electrode holder w/35 50 connector for this machine, as it's not able to be used as an MMA right now. And no regulator/flowmeter. So, I might figure out what my best option is for picking up a Reg, some scrap metal, a helmet... all these type of things a guy will need.
    Oh, and a way to address the 15A issue, because, of course it's a 15A welder. I'm likely going to land on the "doing something less ideal but not crazy" sort of solution. To do it right, I would need to install a 15A circuit in the garage,where I rent, and I don't really think that's going to be possible/practical now.
    So, older or at least, much wiser folks - did I do okay? I would like to thank all of you for your input so far, and if I had the money, I'd be inclined to collect that SIP machine too. A transformer (non-inverter) welder like that would be great to have. Not a lot out there for the price. every machine is a compromise at the cheap end of town. I've been looking for a fair while now, and keeping an eye open for a bit longer. I'm pretty amazed that I managed to get this welder. So I will start making a hole for it, come up with a power supply solution, etc, and probably be able to start some practice beads by this time next weekend.

    Cheers,

    Ben

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Oct 2021
    Location
    Brisbane
    Posts
    11

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by morrisman View Post
    The hobby level SIP MIG machines have a terrible reputation. A quick Google search will bring up many owners reporting problems.

    I have a hobby level SIP Coppermate...made in Italy. it's a bit of a disaster to use. Instead of using a dedicated wire feed motor power supply transformer, they did the cheap trick of connecting the wire feed motor directly to the same secondary voltage feed that goes to the welding wire. As the work load goes up/down , the feed motor speed goes up/down in a jerky fashion . Many owners have done a mod and built a separate power supply for the wire feed motor, from reports this mod improves the machine greatly. The other common problem is the poorly made plastic wire feed head, the wire feed tension control mechanism is very flimsy . These machines were not cheap when new ( $800 in the 1990s) , these days they often turn up at car swap meets for $50 to $80. If you see one, just keep walking by.
    I have noticed that there are a pretty fair few of the SIP welders out there in the used market. That sounds like a nightmare to use. Isolating the power supply and driving it off a dedicated unit sounds like a smart solution. The used market is heavy with old stick welders, not good MIG welders, and a sprinkle of decent units. Thanks for letting me know. Managed to solve my issue (post to the thread just before this) but I wanted to say something since I didn't know that there were levels of MIG units that SIP made back in the day - haven't come across very many SIP MIGs except for the transformer type ones like I was looking at, most are all compact stick welders.

Similar Threads

  1. Welder Choice
    By omer691 in forum WELDING
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 9th Sep 2012, 10:42 AM
  2. VFD choice
    By morrisman in forum METALWORK GENERAL
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 8th Feb 2012, 09:00 PM
  3. Yet another welder choice opinion thread
    By atregent in forum WELDING
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 26th Jul 2011, 10:05 AM
  4. lathe choice
    By eskimo in forum METALWORK GENERAL
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 27th May 2010, 08:22 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •