Tools/EMP235ic
ESAB Rebel EMP235ic
 |
| Owing to it's dangerous nature, delicate nature, or expense, this tool requires that you be inducted on it's proper handling before use. |
Introduction[edit]
The ESAB Rebel EMP235ic is a 235A MIG welder that uses 15Kg wire spools and Albee gas bottles that's used to join metal (mostly steel) together. It should normally be left loaded with 0.8mm mild steel wire and Argon/CO2 gas blend. Owing to the hazards of electrical arcs, UV radiation and molten metals, Induction is required before using the MIG welder. There are 2 levels of induction, for level 1 induction you can use the welder in it's "SmartMIG" self-learning mode where it provides a lot of help. After level 2 induction it's possible to switch the welder into manual mode for more complex tasks. The ESAB unit replaces the previous Clarke 150A Mig welder which has been donated to another hackspace
We ask for the following donation rates from people using the MIG welder
| Material | Mild Steel | Stainless Steel | Aluminium | Brazing |
| Price per linear meter of weld
done (not per wire meter) |
£10.00 | £20.00 | £15.00 | £50.00 |
The user manual for the welder can be found here. There is also a spare parts list here.
Current Status[edit]
| Date | Status | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 23rd November 2021 | Fully functional | Gas bottle refilled |
Capabilities[edit]
The MIG Welder lives on a custom made cart between the woodworking and metalworking tables, with all the accessories in the drawers of the cart. It's used to join metals (usually steel) together. It operates by striking an electrical arc between the workpiece and a steel wire that's fed continuously from the torch which melts the wire and deposits the molten metal into a gap in the workpiece, when the metal cools and solidifies the workpieces are permanently joined. In it's normal set-up the machine is loaded with 0.8mm mild steel wire and Argon/CO2 gas blend and can be used to weld steel thicknesses ranging from just under 1mm up to something in the region of 6mm. For thicker materials then a multi-pass welding approach is possible, or it might be better to switch to using the welder in stick-welding mode if you've also been inducted on that. For materials thinner than 1mm then MIG welding is possible with care (the thinnest material welded with it at rLab is 0.55mm thick), but TIG welding may be more effective. If you're not sure of the best welding process for your job Steve's written a short guide that's here
The MIG welder can be loaded with aluminium wire in order to weld aluminium or 316 Stainless wire for Stainless steel, level 2 induction is recommended for this, and that will allow the MIG welder to join reasonably thick aluminium or stainless sections together. For thinner materials or where surface finish is important, TIG welding is likely to give better results.
MIG Welder Caretakers[edit]
Inductions[edit]
The following people are able to provide inductions on the MIG Welder
| Name/Contact | Induction levels provided | Notes |
|---|
Maintainers[edit]
These are the people who look after and repair the MIG welder, they're the ones to contact if there's any problems with it
| Name | Notes |
|---|
Recent Changes[edit]
If you make any non-trivial changes to lathe or perform maintenance please note it here, delete records older than 1 yr