Welder advice (high end)

[bru21]

What is the go these days,

I am looking for something better than my Mig o Mag 260, as I would like to take my welding to the next level.
We have been doing a lot more production welding and I have been looking at the new pulse and double pulse units.

Most of what I weld is 3mm - 6mm.

All the brands I am familiar with seem to have vanished from sale or no longer supported by my local dealers.

Are these any good:
http://www.machineryhouse.com.au/W197" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; I have really enjoyed my unimig at work and it still welds well.

There look to be some nice miller units - but I can't find them on the WIA site?
http://www.millerwelds.com/products/mig ... del=M00151" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Single or 3 phase is fine, prefer non remote as I generally weld in the one area.

Cheers bru

[bru21]

Anyone :(

[phippsy]

I will start by saying that I am not a welder... but we have boily's at work and a number of welders on site. About 50% of our workshop work is welding.
Most of our machines are Weldmac 395S. From my point of view (purchasing) these are a good machine, we have almost zero down time from machine problems. Last time we had to get one repaired was user error from pulling the machine with the power lead and that was 6+ months ago at least. They are used for everything we do and seem to take most eveything our guys do to them. Chassis, toolbox, underrun bars everything on a semi trailer we do with these and most work would be in the 3-6mm range you mentioned.
From memory there were some problems with Millers a while ago, no experience, just what the guys at Aitkens told me.
The last one bought was from Aitken Welding at Yatala. Warren is the guy down there I deal with.

[bru21]

Thanks mate.

They look like a great machine - they don't appear to be pulse though?

I went in an had a look at the Fronius units down at Aitken. At 8k over the phone I was thinking if I could get one for 6k we would be in business.
Apparently the 8k does not include, earth @ $120, Gun @ $800 (not a euro connection...bastards), pulse card (extra), tig card (extra).
To be honest the machine looked a bit plastic, and for the 10k I was quoted a joke! The quality of the internals left a lot to be desired. The spool holder looked like something out of a Christmas cracker!

Miller don't have compact units in Australia.

I am now looking at getting a wire feed for my Miller Maxstar 300lx. Seems it just might be possible! That said they had never heard of the 300lx so god knows who sold them - might be a grey import.

The unimig unit still seems good value.

[dai-hard]

http://www.kemppi.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[bru21]

http://www.kemppi.com/inet/kemppi/en/ak ... uct%20Info" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Looks like a good unit - a lot lighter than the others on the market, and a few k dearer.
My brother has the evo180 and it welds really well.

[AFeral]

I would not go near a Kemppi pulse if you paid me. Pigs to set up very sensitive to liner and tip condition.
Most aluminum workshops run Fronius for a reason, they are very good. If you can pick a good secondhand unit do it.
Cigweld make a good pulse mig. For bigger stuff the Wia CDT450 pulse welder are good but a little old in the tooth now.
Lincoln V350 pro can have a pulse panel fitted these can be picked up for 1200-2000, wire feeder for another 1000 pulse panel from the states for 1000 these are very good welders had one myself. Kind of kick myself for selling it.Heres one http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/richland ... 1054524519" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
An oldie but a goodie http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/highfiel ... 1053781314" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
These lincolns are lovely not sure if this one can be run as regular welder but worth checking out. http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Lincoln-Powe ... 9d9&_uhb=1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Pal]

I have a Kempii pulse 2800 automotive. (3phase power.)
Very easy to use. I always use it on "automatic"
Just set the dial to the thickness of the material I am welding and the machine automatically sets the correct amps and wire feed speed.

Makes me look like a pro anytime I have welded AL.

I mainly used CuSi wire on motor vehicle bodies.
This metal is a lot thinner than what you will be welding.

It cost a little more than other brands.

Buy a welder that will weld steel a little thicker than what you normally weld.

[bru21]

Thanks guys, good info.

Has anyone here run the miller xmt350 Mpa? $4700 from the US - can run on 240 / 415v.
I have a Maxstar 300lx at the moment - so would be easier to stay with the same brand.
Thinking I can bring one in with my glass?

Cheers bru

[AFeral]

Miller Xmt350 is millers version of the lincoln v350 pro. The lincoln v350 pro can be run on single and three phase. Duty on cycle on single phase sucked though. Not sure about miller.
If the miller is $4700 from the states, taking in consideration tax and freight I would be still looking for a good second hand Fronius.
If you have your heart set on a multi power source power supply. I would still go the Lincoln V350 pro for no other reason I like them, rate them and trust them. They do come up second hand for a good price.

[bru21]

The lincoln looks like a good unit - a litter dearer though. I will keep my eye out second hand for sure.
Ideally the unit / wire feed I buy has tweco / euro connects as I have a heap of binzel guns I would like to keep using.

They was a Fronius 2700 unit on gumtree for 6k odd, with a push pull gun. It looked pretty hammered though.

cheers bru

[AFeral]

Could also try Brisbane welder supplies they do a lot of second hand stuff. I seen the fronius on gumtree too, did not look the best.
Agreed Euro connector is the way to go, can easily change torchs to suit your tweco gear should you need .

[AFeral]

Seen this on gumtree tonight, looks a bit grubby. I would pay $3000-3500 myself.
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/gatton/m ... s&mpch=ads" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[bru21]

Could be an option, 3k would be good buying.


What is the story with these German EWM machines?
The guys that do some fab for us run them and swear by them. I would prefer a compact machine rather than an additional wire feed and this unit has one integrated.
They have a pulse mig only which looks like a good option too - I think to stick / ig with a multi machine would be annoying - especially without HF (I have an ac/dc and a dc tig already).
http://www.boc.com.au/shop/en/au-boc-in ... 71-00532-p" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


http://www.boc.com.au/shop/en/au-boc-in ... 19-00532-p" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[AFeral]

Never used Ewm or seen one. Looking at the specs etc they look like a good machine. Still would be looking for a Fronius. Sure if you keep ringing around various suppliers you will get a better deal or a second hand unit.
Oxy repairs have a beautiful Miller Pulse Tig for sale shame it has no wire feeder.

[bru21]

Got quoted $5400 for the EWM Phoenix 355 after a bit of negotiation. That is complete with gun / torch and I am sure they would throw in drive rollers.
Bigger 451 is $8500 with remote head and watercooled torch - 450A @ 100% duty.

Seem like quality units (was probably more impressed with the internals than the Fronius I looked at). That said, they didn't have the 355, so I was looking at the 180 and 441.

Both units are built in Germany too - which is pretty sweet!


cheers bru

[bru21]

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/richland ... 1054524519" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

seems like a good deal?

[v8lux]

Fronius!!!!!! The only way to fly

[AFeral]

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/richland ... 1054524519

seems like a good deal?

Not bad they can be had cheaper. Pulse panels are avaliable for those too. Can be set up for stick, tig and air arc gouging too

[matthewK]

Fronius are they way to go but also depends on your pockets how deep do they run,

iv found WIA 396 weldomatics 3 phase not bad at all seem to be a good alrounder

also esab is ok iv used several diff modles from single pahse to 3 phase,

linkin arnt what they used to be these days,

also could look for the copperhead been told they were a good welder

Auslink AWE in bayswater i used to deal with mario or scott

[bru21]

Thanks guys.
I need to do procedures for all welded components so the synergistic models will make it a lot easier. Dialing in exact numbers leaves a lot less margin for ever - compared to turning a variable dial that have a habit of getting bumped.
Has anyone here had to do procedure type work?

[AFeral]

How will a synergistic welder make it easyer to do procedure style welding. Clamp meter, tape measure and a stop watch give you the info you need. I have never met a weld inspector that has gone off the machines display. Clamp meter for volt and amperage of the weld. Use the stop watch to time 10 seconds of wire use, then measure the amount of wire that comes out in 10 seconds. Yes an accuate display of the machines setting will allow you to return to the same point easily, but not essenential for welding to a weld procedure.
Theres a Fronius welder on Gumtree at the moment.

[bru21]

Thanks mate.

I should clarify what I said above..

I don't need to have procedures - I think it is a good idea though, and as I weld a big variety of components it would make it quicker to set up each time.

Thanks for your help.

Regards,

Justin

[AFeral]

Ok. I understand. sorry I got the wrong end of things then.
Did a weld test with a Fronius pulse this week. Forgot how nice they are.

[bru21]

The one in Mackay is tempting - but looks as if it has been used hard!

The non euro fitting puts me off as I swap guns a lot. @$800 a gun - at that price I couldn't bring myself to own more than one fronius torch!

This welder is on the back burner for the next month or so while I get these campers out. An enormous amount of work!

Cheers bru

[AFeral]

Theres a fronius ebay right now