Looking at welders, need help!

[woodys72]

Hey guys, just doing some research into getting a mig welder at the moment. I was looking at the Cigweld tansmig 200. But I have also come across inverter mig welders? has anyone used these? are they any good?

I want to use the welder for doing sliders, rear bars, some body work on the car like welding panels, etc.

Can anyone shed some info or other suggested welders?


Cheers,
Jon

[bogged]

http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/phpBB2/search.php
Honestly plenty of threads on MIG's..

[woodys72]

http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/phpBB2/search.php
Honestly plenty of threads on MIG's..

I have looked through quite a few of the threads but haven't really found anything about inverter migs..

[Red Dog 4x4]

I bought a Weldmaster 220amp about 2 years ago and love it has a 10 year waranty on it and only just recantly it stoped feading the wire through took it back 15min later all fixed and i use it every 2nd weekend.

[woodys72]

I bought a Weldmaster 220amp about 2 years ago and love it has a 10 year waranty on it and only just recantly it stoped feading the wire through took it back 15min later all fixed and i use it every 2nd weekend.

thats one more to add to the list to have a look at! what type of stuff do you use it on?

Im kind of interested in these inverter welders.. they have decent duty cycles, but I can't find much feedback on them

[lump_a_charcoal]

If you are after a CIG brand, there is a store in melbourne who sell reco ones from the factory - pretty cheap.

[Weiner]

I have a Migomag 215, they are expensive, but I love it

[familybus]

I have a Migomag 215, they are expensive, but I love it

ive got the 260 and wouldn't trade it for anything!

[WRXZook]

I just got a Lincoln 180C



And the Lincoln spool gun



Haven't given it a good workout yet, but if it is as good as my previous Lincoln I'll be very happy.

Funny thing is, I have had a Eutectic stick welder for more than 30 years, and often prefer to use it than the mig.

[woodys72]

If you are after a CIG brand, there is a store in melbourne who sell reco ones from the factory - pretty cheap.

where abouts? or do they have a website or something like that?

WRXZook, where did you pick up your welder? what was it worth without the spool gun?


cheers for the info so far guys!

[Slunnie]

http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/phpBB2/search.php
Honestly plenty of threads on MIG's..

I have looked through quite a few of the threads but haven't really found anything about inverter migs..

Chatting to our welding suppliers the inverter is whats replacing the regular transformers in the MIGS. Smaller, lighter and better duty cycles. With this technology being rolled out it has dropped the prices on the conventional MIG welders, so we picked up a few bargains.

Out of interest, of MIGs we run Unimigs, BOC-Kempis, ESAB and Air-liquide and the hands down favourite amongst the lads is the Air-liquide and following a tweak this is closely followed now by the ESAB.

[KUSTOMV840]

This is what I got a couple of months ago. Inverter Mig stick and DC tig. I LOOVVVEEEE it.
I paid 1550 but they retail for 1770. I also got the unimig trolley for it, if I can find a pic of mine I'll chuck it up. If you dont need the power of the 250 go the 165 or 175, they retail for about 1200. You wont be disappointed.

[awill4x4]

Pah!!! Mig welders, I blow my nose in your general direction.
Regards Andrew.

[KUSTOMV840]

[woodys72]

Slunnie, how do you find the BOC and Unimigs?

I looked at the procraft 210 and 240 but have heard they sometimes have overheating issues.

KUSTOMV840 - how have you found the new inverter welders? what are you welding with it? The 250 like you have there is a good price and has a good current range. The thing that has caught my eye with the inverter welders is there good duty cycles

[KUSTOMV840]

Pah!!! Mig welders, I blow my nose in your general direction.
Regards Andrew.

KUSTOMV840 - how have you found the new inverter welders? what are you welding with it? The 250 like you have there is a good price and has a good current range. The thing that has caught my eye with the inverter welders is there good duty cycles

I just love the new inverter. I have been welding 2mm RHS and Yard Rail with it building a set of yards at home. Some places I needed to run it on a 40m extention cord to get to the corner and no diff at all. I LOVE it. I also welded a couple of cast chain hooks onto the jib of the tractor with nickel rods in the stick. So neat and steady arc. I have also done some panel work with it too. Its great on all thickness's, I can turn it right down for light wall tube (I cut and shut 2 supercheap trolleys for my oxy trolley. In background of pic) or turn it up and it will melt an 8mm rod no drama.

[WRXZook]

WRXZook, where did you pick up your welder? what was it worth without the spool gun?

I paid $1,000 for the mig at Tamworth. I think they are normally about $1,100 but could be wrong. They are heavy, but still easily portable, but open one up and you will see they are made to last.

When I was looking at the inverter migs, admittedly a little while ago, I found one criticism was that they need a nice stable supply. I need to run from a generator from time to time so stayed with what I knew worked.

Reports from those with an inverter sound good though...

[woodys72]

Thanks for the info so far guys, its been much appreciated! I might start looking more into these inverter welders, something light would be nice

[lump_a_charcoal]

Get something that will fit a large roll of wire, as the small rolls are 80% smaller but just as expensive.

As for the phone number I will try to find it.

EDIT - Bairnsdale Electrics, 03 51523201

[woodys72]

Get something that will fit a large roll of wire, as the small rolls are 80% smaller but just as expensive.

As for the phone number I will try to find it.

EDIT - Bairnsdale Electrics, 03 51523201

Thanks mate! I might give them a buzz

[Kingston_99]

as ima 4th year boily, i was lucky to try out the inverter welders at tafe in cairns, and they are great, you can use stick, mig or tig all in one and was small to for what you could use it for, i cant remember what model it was but it was made by CIG. i will look up on their site and post the link up for you.

[Slunnie]

Slunnie, how do you find the BOC and Unimigs?

I looked at the procraft 210 and 240 but have heard they sometimes have overheating issues.

They'll both be really good welders for home use, buggies, rollbars, bullbars etc and the welds they put down are fine. The machines are just a bit light on and we need to keep throwing parts at them all the time to keep them going. The unimigs are better than the BOCs in terms of durability, and that is the industrial BOC's. The other problem is that they dont always have a fine enough adjustment depending on what you're welding and how pedantic you are about the welds and the BOC wire feed rates are not always consistent, especially if you turn the power off and then on again. I've painted a poor picture, they are still good welders and would be perfect for home use especially with the value for money - but we hammer them. The Air Liquide is always spot on and the ESAB is too now. We also run ESAB TIG and Plasma which are very very good and pretty much dont give dramas - or at least very very few. So far the duty cycles haven't presented problems unless you're doing big runs, but its also worth finding out what the duty cycle is on the Procrafts and what the people were doing that tripped them. Again, for home use I don't think you will overheat them unless doing a massive weld.

[woodys72]

Slunnie, how do you find the BOC and Unimigs?

I looked at the procraft 210 and 240 but have heard they sometimes have overheating issues.

They'll both be really good welders for home use, buggies, rollbars, bullbars etc and the welds they put down are fine. The machines are just a bit light on and we need to keep throwing parts at them all the time to keep them going. The unimigs are better than the BOCs in terms of durability, and that is the industrial BOC's. The other problem is that they dont always have a fine enough adjustment depending on what you're welding and how pedantic you are about the welds and the BOC wire feed rates are not always consistent, especially if you turn the power off and then on again. I've painted a poor picture, they are still good welders and would be perfect for home use especially with the value for money - but we hammer them. The Air Liquide is always spot on and the ESAB is too now. We also run ESAB TIG and Plasma which are very very good and pretty much dont give dramas - or at least very very few. So far the duty cycles haven't presented problems unless you're doing big runs, but its also worth finding out what the duty cycle is on the Procrafts and what the people were doing that tripped them. Again, for home use I don't think you will overheat them unless doing a massive weld.

thank you for the honest feedback! I have sold a few procraft welders to mechanical workshops and have not heard of any dramas with them, like myself they will only use them for a few jobs here and there, but not day in and day out. But feedback from people that use them for the same things I plan on doing is much more useful! I think I will be looking at the unimig 250amp inverter mig or the procraft 240. Parts are not much of an issue and I think I have a few gun liners kicking around work should the need arise.

Thank you for the feedback everyone! was much appreciated.
Cheers,
Jon

[woodys72]

Slunnie, how do you find the BOC and Unimigs?

I looked at the procraft 210 and 240 but have heard they sometimes have overheating issues.

They'll both be really good welders for home use, buggies, rollbars, bullbars etc and the welds they put down are fine. The machines are just a bit light on and we need to keep throwing parts at them all the time to keep them going. The unimigs are better than the BOCs in terms of durability, and that is the industrial BOC's. The other problem is that they dont always have a fine enough adjustment depending on what you're welding and how pedantic you are about the welds and the BOC wire feed rates are not always consistent, especially if you turn the power off and then on again. I've painted a poor picture, they are still good welders and would be perfect for home use especially with the value for money - but we hammer them. The Air Liquide is always spot on and the ESAB is too now. We also run ESAB TIG and Plasma which are very very good and pretty much dont give dramas - or at least very very few. So far the duty cycles haven't presented problems unless you're doing big runs, but its also worth finding out what the duty cycle is on the Procrafts and what the people were doing that tripped them. Again, for home use I don't think you will overheat them unless doing a massive weld.

thank you for the honest feedback! I have sold a few procraft welders to mechanical workshops and have not heard of any dramas with them, like myself they will only use them for a few jobs here and there, but not day in and day out. But feedback from people that use them for the same things I plan on doing is much more useful! I think I will be looking at the unimig 250amp inverter mig or the procraft 240. Parts are not much of an issue and I think I have a few gun liners kicking around work should the need arise.

Thank you for the feedback everyone! was much appreciated.
Cheers,
Jon

[woodys72]

Slunnie, how do you find the BOC and Unimigs?

I looked at the procraft 210 and 240 but have heard they sometimes have overheating issues.

They'll both be really good welders for home use, buggies, rollbars, bullbars etc and the welds they put down are fine. The machines are just a bit light on and we need to keep throwing parts at them all the time to keep them going. The unimigs are better than the BOCs in terms of durability, and that is the industrial BOC's. The other problem is that they dont always have a fine enough adjustment depending on what you're welding and how pedantic you are about the welds and the BOC wire feed rates are not always consistent, especially if you turn the power off and then on again. I've painted a poor picture, they are still good welders and would be perfect for home use especially with the value for money - but we hammer them. The Air Liquide is always spot on and the ESAB is too now. We also run ESAB TIG and Plasma which are very very good and pretty much dont give dramas - or at least very very few. So far the duty cycles haven't presented problems unless you're doing big runs, but its also worth finding out what the duty cycle is on the Procrafts and what the people were doing that tripped them. Again, for home use I don't think you will overheat them unless doing a massive weld.

thank you for the honest feedback! I have sold a few procraft welders to mechanical workshops and have not heard of any dramas with them, like myself they will only use them for a few jobs here and there, but not day in and day out. But feedback from people that use them for the same things I plan on doing is much more useful! I think I will be looking at the unimig 250amp inverter mig or the procraft 240. Parts are not much of an issue and I think I have a few gun liners kicking around work should the need arise.

Thank you for the feedback everyone! was much appreciated.
Cheers,
Jon

[KUSTOMV840]

I forgot to mention in my above post that a 20amp powerpoint is needed for the 250 unimig inverter. I am only running it on 15amp atm, but will be upgrading my power down the track. It works fine on the 15 though. I took mine to the old mans to do a little job and run it directly of his 20amp and it did make a little difference I think. Run a few less amps from what I do at my place but not much.
My brother inlaw has the 175 that is supposed to run on a 15amp but put a 10amp plug on it and it does everything he wants to do.

Cheers, Troy

[woodys72]

Thanks for that Troy, I didn't think about the plug! I have to get a few new points installed anyway, but I didn't think about a 20 amp point The unimigs are looking like the way to go especially for the price

[KUSTOMV840]

Thanks for that Troy, I didn't think about the plug! I have to get a few new points installed anyway, but I didn't think about a 20 amp point The unimigs are looking like the way to go especially for the price

No Worries. Get the sparky to check your power too. Most house holds run off a 15 kva transformer per two houses in the country. IE each house 7.5Kva. If the transformer is closer to your place than the neighbor you shouldnt have any probs with a 20amp point if your wiring form your swithboard is good enough. Takes them about 15min to check it out for you. You wont be disappointed with the Uniming.

[woodys72]

No Worries. Get the sparky to check your power too. Most house holds run off a 15 kva transformer per two houses in the country. IE each house 7.5Kva. If the transformer is closer to your place than the neighbor you shouldnt have any probs with a 20amp point if your wiring form your swithboard is good enough. Takes them about 15min to check it out for you. You wont be disappointed with the Uniming.

I'll have to get that checked out as all my powerlines, etc are underground, but there's an electrical manhole at the end of my driveway, so hopefully all is good

[micks troll]

Pah!!! Mig welders, I blow my nose in your general direction.
Regards Andrew.

OOOh look at me I'm a TIG welder woopde freckin doo
I'm sorry we did'nt need to know youre GODs gift to the fab world