SIP 170 TopMig

[gaffer1981]

I have just come across an old SIP 170 Top-Mig Turbo Dual Perpose welder. Can anyone give me any info on this welder, SIP are not answering my emails and I need to know who to set up the welder for working with gas and without. If anyone as a manual the would be great.

All the Best

[CwazyWabbit]

Not for the right model but nay be close enough http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/files/sip.pdf

also parts list/diagrams are on SIPs site http://www.sipuk.co.uk/parts/2.%20Welding%20Catalogue/MIG%20Welders/MIG%20Welders.htm

Appologies if these are of no use

[robertspark]

SIP manuals dont seem to be available online.

There is a bit of info here: http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/manuals.htm

not used one, cannot comment, but there seems to have been a few people before who have rated them at some time in the past (just do a google search).

Some specs here: http://www.tooltrade.co.uk/welders/2594_topmig170.htm

It does not look like its a non-gas mig welder (although you can change the polarity internally if you're really keen on gassless mig).

Its a transformer welder capable of up to 170Amp, and very heavy (there is a welder review link in the fabrication section of LR4x4 too, and one may be listed) [note I am biased with what I use] http://forums.lr4x4.com/index.php?showtopic=19375

You can also change the torch for an MB15 with a euro connector if you're interested in that.

[Cynic-al]

I have a 170p, don't know how similar it is? To go from gas to gas less you just swap two electrical terminals on the front to switch the polarity of clamp / torch.

[gaffer1981]

[yalan]

I have a topmig turbo 170 and am very happy with it. Wrote a bit about on a previous thread on here.

I've never heard of it being usable 'gasless' and it's certainly not got 'swappable' polarity like other machines that can be switched to gasless.

Personally my experiences with gasless have led me to a proper gas setup and won't ever go back! My y size bottle is only £35/yr and goes on forever!

[robertspark]

not done gasless mig welding (not really seen the point as I'd just arc weld and grind instead which is what I do on the thick stuff as the rods are cheap).

gasless welding seems to give a lot more splatter (given its got flux in it....) I guess if you had a mig and wanted to use it in an exposed location, or did not want to drag a bottle along with a welder, then it makes sense.

To change a gas mig welder to gasless mig welder, all you need is to swap the polarity of the torch and the clamp, and have the right size roller installed.

If you were going to change between gas and gasless mig regularly, you could install two of these DIN welding plugs below, and then just swap the leads over as desired... (very easy modification).

Technically there is also three types of roller too, but not sure how necessary it is to have all three types as you can probably get away with one and careful roller resistance setting so that it doesn't birdcage, and it depends upon the length you're trying to push the wire to the torch too.

For those interested the rollers are:

V groove - gas steel (stainless or mild etc) roller.

U groove - aluminium (also maybe silicon bronze (mig brazing)), so as to not crush the wire.

knurled / grooved roller - for gasless mig.

the above on rollers came from here, bottom of the page: http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/wire-feed.htm

[Darren Roberts]

I have the 150 version - I've done a couple of mods to it as per the threads on MIg Welding Forum - namely wire feed improvements and installed a EuroTorch...