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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Sutherland, Sydney
    Posts
    9

    Default Ok, bought a CIG ARC Welder....need help maybe

    Hi all,

    Although I'm ideally after a MIG, I attended a marine auction that also included some gear from what looked like a closed down welding workshop as there were lots of welders, and the factory had a welding sign out the front. Anyway, I didn't check it out before I got there but I bid in haste from where I was standing it looked ok, but I might have done my dough.

    Its a CIG Transarc Tradesman, very old (and heavy, thank god its on wheels) but amps seem to go up to 230 on the scale

    Which brings me to my problem - it looks like its missing a knob that you push up and down to alter the power, and trying to use a screwdriver in the small hole it seems to be stuck and rusty on the section that moves. Can someone who is familar with this sort of unit see if its just a knob thats missing (pics probably not great), and/or if I can get to that bit to free the movement up (or do you think a light spray of Inox might do it).

    Its got the clamp cord, but nothing else, what is the correct type of gun I need to get for it?

    Any chance someone has a users manual as I have no idea what I'm doing. Hopefully it will tell me when I use the low amperage and high amperage side, and what that knob that turns on the top is. Gee I'm clueless.

    That will teach me to bid without checking it out first. At least I only lost $100 of my hard earned, although I assume if I can fix this up so I'm not stuck on 130amps that its probably not a bad Arc welder?

    Thanks

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Mackay North Qld
    Posts
    6,446

    Default

    Hi,
    No problems ,you are nearly there.
    I reckon there is a very good chance that there is nothing wrong that a good clean up and a welding handpiece cable won,t cure.
    I took your pic and labelled it for you .
    The handle on top rotates and the slide with the amp indicator moves to indicate the .amperage gainst the appropriate fixed number. Don't depend too much on it its just a guide.
    Get thee down to a welding supply shop and get some cable and a handpiece . I am guessing $30 or $40 worth.

    If there is anything wrong it may be the thread.

    If I told you to take the cover off and WD40 spray up the thread that works the mechanism that would be against the electrical code ,so I won't do that.That involves opening the case and would probably could be dangerous if the person doing it plugged the machine in and turned it on.

    I know that a bloke like yourself will probably get a lisc electrical person to check it out and observe safety rules.

    Brush up the external terminals with a stiff wire brush ,fit your welding handpiece and you are away.

    Good luck

    Grahame

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Vic
    Posts
    5,629

    Default

    No knobs missing on that at all , they are a fairly robust machine, got that model up on the farm whilst I've got the next one up from that here at home, they are basically bullet proof.

    The handle on the very top adjusts the current, and the metal strip with the hole should then go up or down.

    Been awhile since I've looked at mine, it's under the house , but leave the cable on the high for 99% of your welding. The electrode holder should be connected to High or Low with the Earth Clamp to Work.
    Cheers

    DJ


    ​ADMIN

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Sutherland, Sydney
    Posts
    9

    Default

    WOW, thanks for quick replies.

    Gee I am dumb, I never even thought that top knob moved the amps - and it does, fantastic!

    I'm a bit confused, the way I read your 2 threads, Grahames labelled pic says the handpiece goes to 'Work', DJ says the clamp goes to 'work' and the handpiece goes to high or low.

    Currently its setup with the clamp to Electrode 'High', and nothing to 'work'.......

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

    Default

    Sorry mate,
    DJ is correct I am having a brain fade tonite,but I have had a couple of brain cell killers already!!!

    Work of course does connect to the "work " or the job.

    The choice of the two terminals allows you high or low voltage.
    It won't mean much until you get some stainless or L/Hyd rods,then it makes a difference.

    Grahame

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Sutherland, Sydney
    Posts
    9

    Default

    Thanks. So in that picture someone has hooked it up incorrectly since on the end of that 'high' cable is a clamp. Strange.

    Looks like I might need to enrol in the local community college 'Welding - A Taste of' a bit earlier than I thought.

    With that and the cheap Triton steel cutter I bought, I think I could have lots of fun - when I know what the hell I'm doing that is! Maybe the front yard will be full of strange abstract steel 'thingos'

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