novastick160

**pjt** · 23rd March 2013, 11:49 PM

Hi all,
I picked up a Sincosald (Italian) novastick 160 yonks back at an auction, I use it for stick welding, occasionally I need to weld thin sheet (0.9/1.2mm) so am looking at the TIG function. I did a google and found the Sincosald site but nothing specific to the novastick 160, most likely it is an older model and no longer listed on the site, so bit of a blank there.

On the machine face it has a switch that indicates it can be switched over to TIG, I tried to switch it but the indicator remained on stick, so it has me thinking that the switch does nothing (not wired up) or I am missing something or I first need to buy the TIG torch and associated leads/gear and plug in then it will switch over.

What is the general opinion of these stick/tig style of machines, I know the stick function works well but I don't know how well the TIG function works, Is it worth pursuing? (assuming it will work).

Thanks,
Pete.

**Grahame Collins** · 9th April 2013, 11:28 PM

Hi Pete,
IF the stick works it is likely that the Tig part will work.
Is it straight DC?
I assume it will be so, in such as small size. I am not familiar with the brand or model.

Some machines have a HF function which in older units was operated through contact points . If it has them they will prevent HF operation if dirty or out of gap spec.

I suspect that being such a small machine it likely to be a scratch start and won't have a HF function to start the arc.

Any pics ?

Grahame

**Grahame Collins** · 9th April 2013, 11:45 PM

Pete,
The good news is that your machine looks like it is made by a long established company.

Helpful information is likely to be forthcoming if one were to send a nice email to their website.

Send them all the info you can get off the machine .You never know ,you may score an online manual if you are lucky.They may even point you to a distributor/agent here in Oz.

Grahame

**pjt** · 10th April 2013, 04:25 AM

Hi Grahame,
Thanks for the reply, yes I assume straight dc as well, no ac function as I can see, machine wouldn't be physically big enough to house an ac coil of appropriate size, also I can't see any reference to a HF function?

I did ring the local welding shop and from the phone conversation it didn't seem to be a big problem to setup some after market generic brand gear for that machine, as far as sending email to OEM, I was thinking I would ask here first.

In general tho with these small dc machines I have seen quite a few brands with a tig function, I wonder what are they like? Is it a reasonable usable add on to the machine, I don't want something that is a PITA to use, I'm thinking cheap gasless mig setups, never seem to work that well!

I'll see if I can get some pics.

Pete

**steamboatbrucey** · 10th April 2013, 01:29 PM

Hi Pete Yes its the lift tig function you can weld as normal its the partial delay in shorting out before the amps kick in. if its the same as mine about the size of a shoe box it will work great as a lift tig welder you just cannot adjust the voltage on the fly I set mine up with the leads reversed flick the switch set the amps and rock the cup putting electrode onto the surface of the material lift off and the arc will start. Bruce

**pjt** · 14th April 2013, 01:04 AM

Some pics of the machine
novastick 160.jpg front.jpg back.jpg

Is the delay controlled by the right knob? What would the reason be for a delay? When would I set a long or short delay? Is the scratch start hard on the electrode?

Pete

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