Notice: We request that you don't just set up a new account at this time if you are a previous user.
If you used to be one of our moderators, please feel free to reach out to Chris via the facebook Outerlimits4x4 group and he will get you set back up with access should he need you.
If you used to be one of our moderators, please feel free to reach out to Chris via the facebook Outerlimits4x4 group and he will get you set back up with access should he need you.
Recovery:If you cannot access your old email address and don't remember your password, please click here to log a change of email address so you can do a password reset.
Buying a new mig ?? opinions please
Moderators: toaddog, TWISTY, V8Patrol, Moderators
Buying a new mig ?? opinions please
Im in the market for a mig to do thin welding jobs such as exhaust, I/C , and panel work and light fabrication, I have my old Stick welder which i love to use for heavy work as i know i get the full penetration and havent had a weld fail on me yet.
I only have and will always only have 240 volt, not interested in 3 phase at all.
Is gasless welding really as good when used for the work i intend to do ?
Are the cheap ebay brands ok or am i better off buying something like a CIG as it will serve me for years ?
Is it worth buying second hand ? and what to look for if it is ?
I only have and will always only have 240 volt, not interested in 3 phase at all.
Is gasless welding really as good when used for the work i intend to do ?
Are the cheap ebay brands ok or am i better off buying something like a CIG as it will serve me for years ?
Is it worth buying second hand ? and what to look for if it is ?
I bought a cigweld mig, i think it is a 165 but not sure. i bought the biggest 10amp one i could as i couln't gaurentee i would always have access to 15amp supply.
I once tacked 2 pieces of 6mm plate together and then had a bugger of a time to seperate the 2 again so i am getting plenty of penetration.
I think i paid just over the 1000 mark for it plus all accessories like decent mask, reg and extra wire/tips etc.
It also has a really good duty cycle and i have never had it cut out on me,even when welding and cutting 3mm plate for a full day - ie cutting a sheet then welding it to a frame - probably 15-20mins of farily continous welding.
I once tacked 2 pieces of 6mm plate together and then had a bugger of a time to seperate the 2 again so i am getting plenty of penetration.
I think i paid just over the 1000 mark for it plus all accessories like decent mask, reg and extra wire/tips etc.
It also has a really good duty cycle and i have never had it cut out on me,even when welding and cutting 3mm plate for a full day - ie cutting a sheet then welding it to a frame - probably 15-20mins of farily continous welding.
Speaking of MIG's, we just picked up another 2. We got an Air Liquide (SAF) and an ESAB. The prices at the moment are excellent as the companies try to offload the older style MIGs so they can bring out the newer transformer/inverter or whatever they are technology. I'm a huge fan of ESAB, though the boys really like the Air Liquide over the ESAB, Unimigs and BOCs (Kempi).
Cheers
Slunnie
Discovery TD5, Landy IIa V8 ute.
Slunnie
Discovery TD5, Landy IIa V8 ute.
BUY THIS WELDERsloshy wrote:I got a UNI MIG 240, use it for home and work occasionally, its about 4 years old and never had a problem with it, I think it was around $1200 from memory.
I have one UNIMIG 240 (work) and a migomag 260(home). Often I find myself using the unimig in preference to the migomag. It welds gal better, and has pregas which I value highly. I have just put another 2x15kg rolls through the unimig (Total now about 15x15kg rolls) and It is still sweet. I have replaced the sleeve once, and the handle on the front of the welder was knocked off.
I would buy another one without hesitation if this one lets go.
I also have a unitig that I love more with each job, and is the welder I am building my 4130 buggy with.
cheers bru
ADHD Racing would like to thank
Mrs Bru @ Sunshine Coast Developmental Physiotherapy - www.scdphysio.com.au , Ryano @ Fourbys www.generaltire.com.au Blitzkrieg Motorsport
Mrs Bru @ Sunshine Coast Developmental Physiotherapy - www.scdphysio.com.au , Ryano @ Fourbys www.generaltire.com.au Blitzkrieg Motorsport
I'll second the Lincolnm SP170t. I haven't used mine much at all yet but very happy with it. I managed to snap mine up in eBay for $500 (it was a just listed Buy It Now). I asked the same question a while ago and most of the advise was to spend the coin on something decent which I did.bazooked wrote:get ya self a lincon sp170-t, ive had it for a few years now and will comfortably do 6 to 8mm, will last you for ever, runs gasless wire aswell, expect to pay around 1k.
I would buy some thing that you plan on keeping for a long time!!
WIA or Millar would be my first choice but they can be hexy. I have a CIGWELD 200 and it has been great, I paid about $1250 four years ago.
I have root welded 12mm plate before, I have welded all day and never had it cycle out on me.
I think gas is better than gasless. Expect to pay about $120 pa for bottle hire and about $85 for a refill.
WIA or Millar would be my first choice but they can be hexy. I have a CIGWELD 200 and it has been great, I paid about $1250 four years ago.
I have root welded 12mm plate before, I have welded all day and never had it cycle out on me.
I think gas is better than gasless. Expect to pay about $120 pa for bottle hire and about $85 for a refill.
HZJ75, 3in spring,2in cab,drop shackles,shock hoops and inverted shocks, fourbys 15x10 beadlocks, 36x12.5x15 simex ET2,
Comp Tray,Turboed 1HZ.
HZJ105R, 4in Tough dog, 315 75 16 MTZ, Turbo 1HZ.
Comp Tray,Turboed 1HZ.
HZJ105R, 4in Tough dog, 315 75 16 MTZ, Turbo 1HZ.
Thanks for explaining the difference Bruce - I couldn't have figured that out for myself. Can you define "MIG"?bogged wrote:one uses gas, and one doesnt..-Scott- wrote:OK, I need some help here. Can somebody please define "MIG" and "Gasless MIG"?03turbo wrote:I needed a basic welder for home stuff and bought a cheap gasless mig.
MIG Wire-Scott- wrote:Thanks for explaining the difference Bruce - I couldn't have figured that out for myself. Can you define "MIG"?bogged wrote:one uses gas, and one doesnt..-Scott- wrote:OK, I need some help here. Can somebody please define "MIG" and "Gasless MIG"?03turbo wrote:I needed a basic welder for home stuff and bought a cheap gasless mig.
Like a stick electrode, MIG wire completes the electrical circuit creating the arc, but it is continually fed through a welding gun from a spool or drum.
MIG wire is a solid, non-coated wire and receives shielding from a mixture of gases.
(Process is also known as GMAW, or Gas Metal Arc Welding.)
gasless used for outdoor / strong winds etc as it is like a continous stick welder, with glass flux. spatters more and needs flux chipped between welds which in my opinion defets the purpose of a mig for light (pulsed tack) welding. I personally weld very hot and pulse if needed on sections up to 3mm, so It doesn't suit me.
gas is dearer for small user with bottle rentals etc.
most gasses can be interchanged between metals / thicknesses but is best avoided as weld quality is reduced.
I always have about 4 bottles (e size) on hand,
argon - tig for all, alu for mig,
I also bought a second gun, tips and tube for alloy for $120 odd
argoshield universal (higher co2 more heat better penetration) - heavy steel and heavy s/steel (building up mixer blades)
argoshield light for sheetmetal up to 3mm,
stainshield for stainless sheet, general.
for most uses I would go light/universal.
as for the welder, the uni tig 240, I use for building up mixer blades. they are 20mm thick s/steel. I weld on max, without breaks say 60% duty (stop and turning blade 40%) and I have done this heaps (8 rolls of 316 s/steel) generally 7.5 - 15kg per session every 3 months. I have built the mezanine at work which is 5000x6000mm x 2.5 high, braced 100x100x5RHS with 3mm plate floor., built the bulk of chevy smurf, built the lotus 7 replica, camper trailer, bike trailer, and shelving, plus 100's of odd jobs. and it is still sweet.
If it was me I would buy the 240, and spend the rest on gas, and a decent auto helmet. my miler elite bettered my welds by 20-40% depending on location of weld (really good on out of position welds with 4 arc sensors).
The digital display is great if you don't use it that often as you can write down the settings, ie weld current switch 3, wire 22 3mm, switch 8 wire 44 10mm, etc
the 240 is plenty for 99% of applications (assuming good power supply as cannot get rated 240amp off 10amp outlet), and I have well over done the duty cycle and it loves it. the reason I go on about this welder is one,
I have used this $1300 welder more than anyone I know would use a machine in this bracket, and two,
a lot of guys buy a 2-2.5k welder and a cheap helmet, and run it on a 10amp outlet etc and In my opinion are in a worse position.
the only benefits of my migomag 260 ($2500 odd), is better wire feed (only noticed when welding 2m above the ground or kinks in feed tube), 1m longer tube, and more consistancy when welding for very long periods as the gun is rated higher and doesn't heat jam as much. its also 30kg heavier, and doesn't have pregas which is less than ideal for sheetmetal welding
edit:
photo unimig 240, 32 amp breaker, gu diff gusset. steel was really thick, sapped the heat, welded in 1 inch sections to avoid warping the diff. Taken in 06, in my pre migomag days!

elite helmet, tig welding ke70 drift car full cage. about 2 months ago

cheers bru
gas is dearer for small user with bottle rentals etc.
most gasses can be interchanged between metals / thicknesses but is best avoided as weld quality is reduced.
I always have about 4 bottles (e size) on hand,
argon - tig for all, alu for mig,
I also bought a second gun, tips and tube for alloy for $120 odd
argoshield universal (higher co2 more heat better penetration) - heavy steel and heavy s/steel (building up mixer blades)
argoshield light for sheetmetal up to 3mm,
stainshield for stainless sheet, general.
for most uses I would go light/universal.
as for the welder, the uni tig 240, I use for building up mixer blades. they are 20mm thick s/steel. I weld on max, without breaks say 60% duty (stop and turning blade 40%) and I have done this heaps (8 rolls of 316 s/steel) generally 7.5 - 15kg per session every 3 months. I have built the mezanine at work which is 5000x6000mm x 2.5 high, braced 100x100x5RHS with 3mm plate floor., built the bulk of chevy smurf, built the lotus 7 replica, camper trailer, bike trailer, and shelving, plus 100's of odd jobs. and it is still sweet.
If it was me I would buy the 240, and spend the rest on gas, and a decent auto helmet. my miler elite bettered my welds by 20-40% depending on location of weld (really good on out of position welds with 4 arc sensors).
The digital display is great if you don't use it that often as you can write down the settings, ie weld current switch 3, wire 22 3mm, switch 8 wire 44 10mm, etc
the 240 is plenty for 99% of applications (assuming good power supply as cannot get rated 240amp off 10amp outlet), and I have well over done the duty cycle and it loves it. the reason I go on about this welder is one,
I have used this $1300 welder more than anyone I know would use a machine in this bracket, and two,
a lot of guys buy a 2-2.5k welder and a cheap helmet, and run it on a 10amp outlet etc and In my opinion are in a worse position.
the only benefits of my migomag 260 ($2500 odd), is better wire feed (only noticed when welding 2m above the ground or kinks in feed tube), 1m longer tube, and more consistancy when welding for very long periods as the gun is rated higher and doesn't heat jam as much. its also 30kg heavier, and doesn't have pregas which is less than ideal for sheetmetal welding
edit:
photo unimig 240, 32 amp breaker, gu diff gusset. steel was really thick, sapped the heat, welded in 1 inch sections to avoid warping the diff. Taken in 06, in my pre migomag days!

elite helmet, tig welding ke70 drift car full cage. about 2 months ago

cheers bru
ADHD Racing would like to thank
Mrs Bru @ Sunshine Coast Developmental Physiotherapy - www.scdphysio.com.au , Ryano @ Fourbys www.generaltire.com.au Blitzkrieg Motorsport
Mrs Bru @ Sunshine Coast Developmental Physiotherapy - www.scdphysio.com.au , Ryano @ Fourbys www.generaltire.com.au Blitzkrieg Motorsport
He's not having a dig at the gasless metal inert gas welding is he?? I'm still not sure how you have gasless MIG welding but meh, last time I welded was year 10.bogged wrote:MIG Wire-Scott- wrote:Thanks for explaining the difference Bruce - I couldn't have figured that out for myself. Can you define "MIG"?bogged wrote:one uses gas, and one doesnt..-Scott- wrote:OK, I need some help here. Can somebody please define "MIG" and "Gasless MIG"?03turbo wrote:I needed a basic welder for home stuff and bought a cheap gasless mig.
Like a stick electrode, MIG wire completes the electrical circuit creating the arc, but it is continually fed through a welding gun from a spool or drum.
MIG wire is a solid, non-coated wire and receives shielding from a mixture of gases.
(Process is also known as GMAW, or Gas Metal Arc Welding.)
-Scott- wrote:Isn't it a bit early in the day to be pissed?
I was hoping somebody could explain how a gasless gas system works.stuee wrote:He's not having a dig at the gasless metal inert gas welding is he?? I'm still not sure how you have gasless MIG welding but meh, last time I welded was year 10.
Since I have to guess, I would say that a gasless MIG is essentially an arc welder with a MIG style wire feeding system, feeding a special flux coated wire.
I also have the Lincon 170bazooked wrote:get ya self a lincon sp170-t, ive had it for a few years now and will comfortably do 6 to 8mm, will last you for ever, runs gasless wire aswell, expect to pay around 1k.
I've had it for about 15 years built 2 trailers (1 bike trailer, 1 car trailer)rebuilt a HK ute ,G60 ,HQ tonner, 79 hilux, Built a hilux buggy all with this welder
Never given any trouble ,great on panel work an exhaust ,but building car trailer it was on the limit
Otherwise a great welder for the general home use.
Close the flux is inside the wire. Useful when you are welding in wind etc.-Scott- wrote:I was hoping somebody could explain how a gasless gas system works.stuee wrote:He's not having a dig at the gasless metal inert gas welding is he?? I'm still not sure how you have gasless MIG welding but meh, last time I welded was year 10.
Since I have to guess, I would say that a gasless MIG is essentially an arc welder with a MIG style wire feeding system, feeding a special flux coated wire.
You still need to clean off the flux afterwards.
2008 Patrol wagon and 99 Patrol TD Ute
Cairns
Cairns
Ok im looking at getting a mig too found a Lincoln 180c for $990 does anyone have one of these? are they better than the sp170t? whats difference..
heres the link..
http://www.weldmart.com.au/
Cheers
Craig
heres the link..
http://www.weldmart.com.au/
Cheers
Craig
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest