The Welding Thread

[Ben78]

For sure, The Lincoln 180C has a continuous voltage control, not like the crappy 4 step home type machines. For up to 5-6mm it'll be fine, heavier with some preheat and multiple runs too. Duty cycle is pretty ordinary at 130A is only 20%.

Honestly for home use where production schedules don't need to be met then a $400 inverter arc welder is the go. Stick for the heavy, tig for the light. I only use a 180A HF start tig at work and it does everything we ask of it, up to 34mm thick stainless flanges etc, stainless 3.2 electrodes etc and then down to .5mm stainless tubes into sheet with a 1mm fillet.



Mig is great if you need to pump out the welds but there is always the downsides, gas rental, rusty wire spools cos you haven't used it in a few months etc etc

[nayto]

Thanks for that, I've never tried using a tig. I have been looking at a unimig inverter setup for $375, just thought a mig might be better. Stupid noob question but can you tig normal mild steel? Because what ill be using it for will be no stainless work.

[rockcrawler31]

Definately

One of the reasons that TIG is so versatile is it's ability to weld virtually any metal. Cast, stainless, mild, CroMo, copper, gold, and in many cases different metals to eachother, so you can weld stainless to mild or mild to cast.

[nayto]

Sweet thanks. So are most of the small 160-200amp inverter setups pretty equal? Any particular features to look for when buying?

[fumduk3]

with the abundance of welding experts we have here i have 1 question, i have 2g to spend on a tig, i need to weld ally so ac/dc wots the best i can get? i know of 2 in the 200amp approx mark single phase. uni-tig 200 ac/dc from say Hare and Forbes i thik has 2/3 year warranty but its duty cycle wasnt that great % at 185 amp max, and the weldmaster 200 ac/dc has 12 month warranty i think but better duty cycle % at 200 amps, both look very similar looking, has anyone got one of these? had any issues good or bad? recommend them or another brand? basically will be doing mostly aluminium and a bit of stainless, fab work at home not using it all day long 7 days a wk workshop style, just dont want to waste money if these arent worth it, thanks all

[awill4x4]

If I didn't already have my $5K Kemppi MLS 2300 then I would buy an HTP Invertig 221 220 Amp Inverter AC DC TIG from the USA.
They are an Italian machine built for HTP so no Chinese crap.
I've closely looked at the specs and it's damned impressive and at a price that's impossible to beat for a machine with these capabilities.
I know they aren't imported here but big deal in my opinion as most of the Chinese stuff can't be fixed anyway.
On USA ebay they are priced at US$2495 http://cgi.ebay.com/HTP-Invertig-221-22 ... 0656432251" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and even with freight and GST you would be buying one hell of a machine especially if optioned with their own water cooler and torch.
Below are a couple of youtube links showing its features and although it's an advertorial for the machine I fully understand what he's talking about regarding its features and it impresses me to bits.
Regards Andrew.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDrqbUo3 ... re=related" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkB3KVEAFmM" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Ben78]

Thanks for that, I've never tried using a tig. I have been looking at a unimig inverter setup for $375, just thought a mig might be better. Stupid noob question but can you tig normal mild steel? Because what ill be using it for will be no stainless work.

If you are going to get a inverter and actually use it to tig then I can't stress enough to get high frequency start. Lift tig is fine for 99% of jobs but for that one time when you really need a perfect weld then you can't go past HF start and adjustable downslope (the time it takes for the arc to extinguish after letting go of the button). The unimig machine I use at work cost about $650 12 months ago.

The unimig ac/dc 200 amp machine is pretty much identical to all the other 200amp ac/dc tigs out there that look the same, BOC, Weldmaster, etc etc. I have an ebay token tools version of it that I paid $880 for. Works great too except for a dodgy gas solenoid, one day I'll replace it....

If you aren't welding all day every day with it I'd go for the ebay/unimig version. If you are then go for the hi quality gear. Cigweld has some really really nice Japanese made inverter ac/dc tigs, price isn't too obscene either!

[Webbie]

we have one of these for little jobs but we also use it for our light gauge stainless jobs as well so far a nice simple little mig.http://www.bocworldofwelding.com.au/wel ... -200p.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; happy hunting

[fumduk3]

found another 1 that may be better than my 2 ac/dc tigs i was considering. the TOKEN TOOLS alupulse $1399 and alusync $1599(if you want plasma cutter also)200amps.$100 extra for foot control. have had good reviews and actually have a shop down south not just an ebay site so they actually have after sales support and service/repairs. has a good duty cycle of 60%200amps and 100%160amps, anyone got any good/bad reviews on these babys? http://www.tokentools.com.au" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[RockyF75]

What do those in the know think of this - http://tokentools.com.au/prod4.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; for a home unit?

I've been looking for a welder for a while now, prefer stick cause I've used it with more success than my mates cheap MIG, and I like the idea of having MMA/TIG and Plasma all in one unit - and since its not going to be used that often or long I figure stick is a better option. I was looking at a similar 3 in 1 on ebay but would rather spend a little more and get a known brand from an actual shop.

Am I better off doing without the plasma or TIG function and buying a single function welder? It's probably not going to be used a whole lot, but I do want to do a quarter chop in the near future so TIG would be handy for welding the panels. $750 is right up the very top of my budget but like I said, don't mind paying for good gear, I only want to buy this once.

[fumduk3]

$2000 was my limit...... yeah id love a miller dynasty 200 for christmas

inverter sticks weld great

[Deneo]

Hey guys,

Quick question for all you welding gurus.
Iv'e done abit of welding. I know my way around mig, So i'm looking at buying my first welder for stuff around hoem and fab on my hilux for bars etc.
But i have one drawback my Budget is 400-600ish. Can anyone recomend somthing decent in my price range?

Cheers,
Deneo.

[tehekho]

Hey guys,

Quick question for all you welding gurus.
Iv'e done abit of welding. I know my way around mig, So i'm looking at buying my first welder for stuff around hoem and fab on my hilux for bars etc.
But i have one drawback my Budget is 400-600ish. Can anyone recomend somthing decent in my price range?

Cheers,
Deneo.

Stick

[Deneo]

iv'e got a stick, But i would also like a cheaper mig aswell.

[ledgend80]

i was wondering if any body has used or got one of the following as i was thinking of getting one

kemppi minarcmig adaptive 180

http://www.aitkenwelding.com/documents/ ... 50_180.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[nayto]

i was wondering if any body has used or got one of the following as i was thinking of getting one

kemppi minarcmig adaptive 180

http://www.aitkenwelding.com/documents/ ... 50_180.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I dont own one personally, but have used one quite a bit at work. They are a great little unit, and tiny! I haven't done huge welds, mainly only welding on small brackets or 3-4" welds on rhs or walkways etc. Never missed a beat though. Easy to select the right voltage/feed settings etc too.
I've never looked up a price on them because of the brandname, i just thought they'd be plenty of $?

[ledgend80]

the price i have been give is very good i think around the 1500 mark

[TheBigBoy]

I just got myself a new Lincoln 180. What a fantastic peace of machinery. I have fillet welded 10mm in a single pass with great penetration (the book says 5-8mm) . All the way down to fine panel work. Plasma/tig is next on the list.

[ferrit]

I just got myself a new Lincoln 180. What a fantastic peace of machinery. I have fillet welded 10mm in a single pass with great penetration (the book says 5-8mm) . All the way down to fine panel work. Plasma/tig is next on the list.

Yeah, i've had my Lincoln 180c for a few years now and its great, the non stepped voltage is great for tweaking it to suit the material.

[stilivn]

Ok well ive got a little cigweld 150 porta weld, not too good at it but been meaning to get some scrap from local metal shop for practice. I am currently looking at getting into a Fitting and Machining apprenticeship. I have very little welding experience and was wanting to improve before the next lot of intakes for next year. The only real welding I have done was tig on 3mm alloy back when I was in yr12 (8 years ago). Remember I got one real good run but that was about it. Anyways back to the point does anyone know a good website for reading up welding styles and how to, it would be greatly appreciated.

[tozook]

here are a few pictures of some welding i have done

welder is a unimig 210

[ZOOK60]

For those in the know, would this welder

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Mig-Machine- ... 35b3bf2297" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

have enough grunt to do everything a home welder would want to do? (ie make racks, barwork, cages etc)

Check out Gasweld they have the 180c on special this month for $895
I could'nt resist at that price.

[CRUZAAMAD]

my boss bought boc 180 caddy,plastic case,handle the thing was unbeatable, but THAT machine was actually a kempi,identical!! machine rebranded boc, boc and kempi had a fall out and i would, will buy a kempi with NO hesitation AT ALL.
boc is china crap, well i reckon anyway, kempi all the way!!

guy on the M7 had a miller welder generator and was soo unhappy for the coin he paid for it he surely let me know!! that was in 2004/5.

[DUDELUX]

Ok, Im pretty certain that my welding isnt up to the level set by the people in this thread, but Ill post up some of my stuff.

Keep in mind, Im still learning, and practicing, all Ive been welding is plate, some 20mm square(which didnt turn out that great). Everything Im welding is just scrap that Im welding together, Im self taught.

But today, I had a mate come round to show me some tips, hes a fitter and turner by trade, so he knows a bit.
He got here, and had a play with my mig(its a Lincoln 180C), after a few minutes of trying to dial in the settings, and both of us welding birdpoop, he said somethings not right, we checked all the gaslines, and he found that the main hose that goes to the gun, wasnt in all the way(DOH!! ).
So it got sorted out, and immediately was 1million times better.

Heres some pics from my efforts today, the wire speed is set on 9, and the amps are set on 9.5(I and a bit).
I did 1 run, but stopped at halfway to have a look. pretty much the same underneath too.

Welding 2 bits of angle together to make a piece of C-section(its only scrap, for me to play with, for practicing).

I think I did ok. Let me know what you think guys.

2 of these-


Made this-

[94lux]

Hey mate not looking too bad for just starting, im just a sparky so i don't know that much about welding except from some mates. No one else is commenting so i'll chuck my 2 cents in....looks like you need a bit more penetration. The welds sitting a little high, maybe slow your wire speed down and practice getting some c's in. It's best to weld inside away from the wind, it really stuffs up your welds by blowing away your gas . This is one of my welds from the other day, im pretty much self taught

....practice and keep practicing and getting used to your welder and settings....

[XJames]

Im no expert but i think you need to slow your travel speed down or turn the wire speed down a little. Looks like your weld is sitting up on top because your moving to fast, if you slow it down you'll end up with a flatter stronger weld. Also try and work on keeping your speed more uniform, can tell by the weld getting narrower and wider that your not traveling at a consistent speed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4RrDeUKcH4" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Try the above technique, it really helped me improve the consistency of my welding on long passes.

[DUDELUX]

Thanks guys.
Yeah my mate that was giving me advice said the same thing, he also said the correct technique comes with lots of practice.

[Willy Hilux]

Thanks guys.
Yeah my mate that was giving me advice said the same thing, he also said the correct technique comes with lots of practice.

I told the misses that and she gave me the

[5inchgq]

Hey mate not looking too bad for just starting, im just a sparky so i don't know that much about welding except from some mates. No one else is commenting so i'll chuck my 2 cents in....looks like you need a bit more penetration. The welds sitting a little high, maybe slow your wire speed down and practice getting some c's in. It's best to weld inside away from the wind, it really stuffs up your welds by blowing away your gas . This is one of my welds from the other day, im pretty much self taught

....practice and keep practicing and getting used to your welder and settings....

Mate I don't want to start a shit fight but it might be worth pointing out that the weld you posted was done on two pieces that were joined at 90 deg where as Dudelux's welds are joining two bits of steel together in a flat style, a whole different kettle of fish IMO........


Toe-knee, you're doing pretty well for someone just starting out, as stated a steady hand and consistant travel speed with see you gluing steel together like a pro in no time....

[94lux]

Mate I don't want to start a shit fight but it might be worth pointing out that the weld you posted was done on two pieces that were joined at 90 deg where as Dudelux's welds are joining two bits of steel together in a flat style, a whole different kettle of fish IMO........

Pfft hardly different champ, im only an amateur welder that was offering another amteur some advice that i thought may help. I was showing a weld i was proud of that still required "a steady hand and consistant travel speed". If you dont wanna start a shit fight....dont comment