Operating the Machine in MIG mode
Once you have set machine up as per above instructions.
1. Select welding voltage (power) required on front panel
2. Select wire feed speed required on ‘wire speed’ knob
3. Set ARC force switch to middle position for medium weld inductance (know as choke on
traditional welding power sources) Low setting = Soft ARC (less splatter & penetration)
High setting = Strong ARC (more penetration)
4. Ensure you are wearing the correct safety clothes & equipment for welding (I.E Welding
mask, gloves, apron etc)
5. Press torch trigger to start welding process and adjust welding current knob to adjust wire
feed accordingly. Note: You can finely adjust the welding current knob to fine tune weld
arc length to either DIP or SPRAY welding DIP is when the wire is melting very close to
the workpiece (Short arc length) SPRAY is when the wire is melting far away from
workpiece (Long arc length)
6. When welding actual voltage and amperage will be shown in corresponding LED display
meters on machine
1. Tips on welding aluminium
When welding aluminium as the wire is much softer than steel wire you have to fit a
Teflon liner in place of the steel liner in MIG torch, this is so the wire feeds much
smoother and stops it snarling at rollers. To fit a Teflon liner, remove steel liner from
torch and fit Teflon liner so you have about 10 inches left coming out end of MIG
torch at the machine end. In the brass euro body where torch fits onto you will see a
brass guide tube, remove this tube (you will have to remove circlip to allow this) and
fit torch to machine and cut off excess Teflon liner as required. You want the Teflon
liner to get as close to the wire feed rollers as possible. Best way to cut liner is with a
sharp knife blade. Adjust the wire tensioner to minimum pressure and tighten down
until wire is gripped, too much pressure will deform wire and end up with snarls by
rollers. The
IMIG 160
is fitted with rollers suitable for both steel and alloy wire as
standard. Fit oversize welding tip. These are available and have and ‘A’ after tip size.
I.E 0.8A where as for steel wire it would just say 0.8
2. Tips on using gasless wire
When using gasless wire is may be required to change the polarity of the arc. This
can be done simply by reversing the cables inside wire feed cabinet Gas wire =
Positive torch – Negative work (machine is set as standard) Gasless wire =
Negative torch – Positive earth