Another welder question

[bru21]

I am getting another welder to replace my unimig 240 which I am starting to need at work.

Looking at spending up to 2.5- 3k if its justified as long as i don't wish I bought another model at a later date as I will keep this for many years.

Basically I am looking at weld consistency which can be a problem with my current welder. The duty cycle has not been a problem but this is where I may be having the problems.

I think that going to a dual powered wire feeder will be beneficial and should help with the above.

What is the general feeling about remote feeders, Are they more trouble then they are worth - looking at it for welding above the cab of my ute etc

I have looked at but not tested the following (my short list):

Boc (kempi) 250 (without remote)

Boc with 250 remote

Lincoln 205 and 255

Kempi around 200 - 250 amp exact models pending

WIA 215

Migomag 230/260

I am leaning towards the BOC 250 without RWF as ist only $1899 or the kempi offerings when I see them.

I believe the Lincoln is old technology. But looks to be a very capable machine although the 205 seems to lack adjustment with only the one voltage adjuster


Any Thoughts??? First hand experience???

I have searched to no avail

cheers bru

[NZ4x4]

Unimig 255 Workshop series. I dont own one at present but have used one on a regular basis. Its a great machine, goes all day everyday. Once i have the money, i will have one sitting in the shed.

here is a link

http://www.unimig.com.au/Product%20Guide_2006%207.pdf

[shakes]

the BOC are rebadged kempi's? so local the local rumour mills say

[GQ4.8coilcab]

the old man has the migomag 260. Awsome welder. Beautiful for what he does, welding steam pipe for sidesteps to welding light guage trailers.

[ausyota]

How about CIG?
The 275 remote would fit the bill perfect I reckon.
I think United Tools dealers may have them on special at the moment too.
Any decent shop should be able match the price if you take in a cattledog and show em.

http://www.cigweld.com.au/uplFiles/prod ... %206pp.pdf

[ToyTruck]

i have the migomag 260 with remote wire feed . awesome welder . RWF is deffinately worth it .

[stuckwithlux]

i have used the boc 250 with remote head. i found it to be a great welder, never had a feed issue with the remote.

What about the migtronic? they have infinite voltage and wire speed adjustment. as in no steps just a dial you turn so you can get finer adjustments for welding al and the like.

[bru21]

ahh thanks fellas more choices! I looked at the unimig workshop 255 yesterday, forgot to add it to the list. Looks to be good. It is just over $2600 and the swr is well over 3k. I have a transtig by cig, but didn't realize they still made migs!

Its really hard sourcing welders on the sunshine coast, with no big specialists except for boc.

[AJ]

Assuming single phase MIG welding (LW1 or equiv).
I have one BOC 250R in the workshop which has been reliable. Have plenty of CIGWELD units too which are good. My personal preference is for CIGWELD MIG machines - in this application - and I have a 180SE at home.

[eliteforce32]

hey bru i work with everyday migomag, 325's.. unimig 255 trade series at home and the 315 wia fabricator, kemppi 350's etc... personal preferance the 255 and the migomag, good build quality and very reliable..... have had bad experiance with wia machines, contcts in machine, wire feed motors etc .

as for traveller..... i have a traveler on a swing boom in the shed..... great for working on cars and objects at heights..

cheers
simon

[Ruggers]

i was told by a welder mate that the seperate wire feeders are well worth the money as they dont draw power from the transformer so you get a better weld an i used his and loved it but could not ever afford one for the use i do, also if you have 3 phase look for one of them the leave the 240v in the dust just i dont have 3 phase avalbile at my place. chris

[uninformed]

i have a BOC 250 and am very happy with it.

i know of three different people running WIA and all are very happy with these.

i only have experience on my BOC so nothing to compare to. but i learn't to weld on, it built my sliders, front tube bar and now tray and find it very consistant

cheers serg

[AFeral]

Used a Boc 250 unit. Used it whilst working at Elfin sports cars. Happily welded all day on 2 and 5mm steel. Never missed a beat. Did not realise it was made by kempi. Kempi make very good welders in my exsperiance.
Would not bother with the remote wire feeder not really needed unless you a pasific use for it.
Boc parts are easly avaliable at any CIG store which are every where. Which is also worth thinking about.

I will probally buy a Boc 250 when i get a chance.

[cplux]

recently bought a Boc 250 remote wire feed unit, very good welder, well built, lays down very nice welds with good penetration, so far i have welded up to 8mm plate with it and am happy with the results

[bru21]

I ended up getting a migomag 260. Its got so much more herbs than my current welder. 60% duty cycle at 230 amps whereas my current one has 60% at 110 amps. I had perfect welds last night after my 3rd weld getting a feel of setting it up. I did a bit of 8mm alloy and it was sweet too. Couldn't be happier with this machine. Only fault is no adjustment for pre gas time.

I fel this welder will milk my 32amp breaker at home for all its worth


I didn't go the RWF as it was over 3k. I upgraded the torch to a binzel so spares are available everywhere. It has a euro fitting too so I can use my curent alloy torch. All up it was $2530.

I looked at WIA but the wire feeders were single sided, the transmig were more of a home machine, having chromed wire feeders etc which lacked substance in my opinion. It has a lift off side cover like a computer rather than a hinge too. They also look similar to my 25 year old transtig!

I had a demo with the boc and I could not really fault it although it welded much the same as my unimig, (less than smooth wire feed etc) but with what appeared to be less available power from the 15amp breaker in the test room. I have used my unimig on 15 amps and it welds hotter. I am sure set up would get around this. The transformer in the boc is tiny. The duty cycles were less than the mogomag. The boc dealer (who I have known by name for 5 years) gave me a quote for $1899 in oct 06. The current price is $2100 which is too close to the mogomag price.

Thanks all for your help

May all your beads be perfect

Bru

[AJ]

Just remember that welding is like dating.

Pretty looks are nice but achieving penetration is what counts.

[bubs]

When I bought my lincoln I was looking for a migomag, but @ $1200 for a 255 with RWF from a workshop I knew, and knew it had done SFA I could not pass it up. Where I work we use mainly Lincoln 455's and Migomg 400's cant fault either. I agree with you on the BOC they are not as good as the Migomag lincoln.