51 replies to this topic

[Heath]

At work I get to use Kemppi and Fronius TIGs which seem bloody awesome, but probably a bit out of my price range. I don't know if this should be here or in Off Topic/General? I'm definitely not an expert welder. I wouldn't know how to read half the settings on most welders, but I have used them before.

I want a TIG at home, to do all the stuff I'm into. Doesn't need heaps of grunt... probably won't do heavy gauge stuff very often. Doesn't need to have LCD screens displaying numbers etc, I'm more than happy with something that looks unimpressive as it does a good job & is a nice machine to use.

Absolutely needs to be:
- AC/DC
- Single Phase
- MMA Function

And I'd prefer it with a plasma cutter function too, but that isn't a necessity.

Would somebody be able to tell me what 'size' TIG you would need to do x, y, z tasks with different gauge materials? Like to just do rust repairs what would you need? (obviously not much, but I don't have any numbers in my head) Or to do rollcages? (cams spec tubing is only 2-2.5mm thick) Suspension modifications like altering crossmembers or boxing control arms? and thick plate steel for example, just so I have an idea (no, I won't be doing 8mm plate structures haha I just want an idea)

I can go on eBay and buy a chinese AC/DC for a bit over a grand, and that - simplistically - has all the features I want, but the quality probably isn't great and I want to buy one I'll keep for a long time. I'm willing to spend closer to 2k if I can find a good machine. Would love a used good nick/reconditioned unit.

Please advise me. Apart from Lincoln, Kemppi and Fronius, I don't know any brands that are necessarily good.

Edited by Heath, 18 November 2010 - 02:00 PM.

[Evan]

Hey Heath.

A few weeks ago , I was in the exact same situation as you.

I did a lot of research and like you, didn�t want a really cheap welder if I had to keep taking it back etc etc.

This thread here is a good read.
http://www.woodworkf...mparison-99893/

I eventually went with the Weldsmart Tig200PAc/Dc
http://www.weldsmart...inverter-welder

A guy at work has had one of these for 2 years now and had made heaps of stuff and never had it trip out and really likes it.
These guys are in Perth so it�s good for warranty for me if required. I went and had a look at the machine and it looks the goods. They supply their machines to Austal Ship building company who weld with these 12 hours a day.
They recently upped their warranty to 18months because they have less that 1% return rate on them. (They are made in the same place as the BOC welders)

I got it for $1299 and I got a 5kg pack of aluminium welding rods for $100. They are on ebay.
I haven�t laid a run down with it yet as I have been really busy, but I will let you know how it goes.

Ev

[wot179]

We have a CIG (might be BOC,I cant remember) ACDC caddy at work and it is an awesome little machine.

170amps,single phase and the size of a large shoebox.

I use it mostly for stainless,either 1.6 or 3mm,but have used it with great success on 3mm aluminium as well.

We also have a $1000 chinese job.It surprised me with the hiding it copes with(welding 3mm stainless constantly all day),the only letdown was the mega cheaparse button on the

torch that kept losing its spring.It has recently been replaced by an aftermarket torch and get thrashed almost every day(has done now for nearly 2 years).

I would buy one for home definitely,but would get one from a welding shop so you have access to spares and warrantee,even if it costs a couple of hundred more.

Squeeze the shop to include a flexible torch head into the deal,they are the best thing since canned piss,especially if you plan on welding a cage up(which I strongly suspect)

Like you,I would love a Kemppi,the torches are just awesome to use,beautifully balanced and a nice soft touch on the trigger.(makes Homer Simpson drooling noise....)

Good luck.

[Heath]

This is all great, please keep it coming. Some promising sounding stuff...

I get the impression a 200A unit would be more than adequate for the things that I want to do?

Evan, did those guys have a shop front or anything? Maybe I should just go around to some tool shops and get some opinions/assistance? I don't know about any specific welding shops... apart from BOC gas shops maybe?

[rodomo]

Goodie! Goodie!
More toys for the tool pool!

[Heath]

haha it won't just be put on display Rob!

Thanks for the help

[Evan]

Heath.

They are more of a whole sale welding consumable / power tool warehouse. Cater for Industry.

They have an office there with all the welders set up and are open during the week. Weekends too if you call them and arrange.

Ev

[GTR600]

Mate its best to speak to the so called experts,

Walk in to a welding distributor or ring around and let them know what you want.

Not just one as you know they might want to push a particular product but speak to a least a couple,

Its like buying a part for your car you get what you pay for.

Some of the cheaper ones are good but you want a good warranty as parts are not cheap or easy to obtain.

You have to consider gas rental and refill as well.

Edited by GTR600, 19 November 2010 - 07:16 PM.

[blown308]

heath, I have these...

http://cgi.ebay.com....=STRK:MESELX:IT

[Heath]

I didn't think that was AC + DC?

[blown308]

I didn't think that was AC + DC?

I have been told that this machine is AC/DC

[blown308]

heath, I have these...

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290504462408&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

Heath, I have been told by the Awelco sales guys that this machine is excatly what you are looking for bit is half the price.. but this machine is not a plasma cutter..

[Heath]

That thing is definitely DC. And I'm not saying this to offend, but I wouldn't really have wanted to buy a welder from anywhere that didn't know all about the product and have experience using it. I paid extra so that I can walk into a shop and say "what the f*ck!?" if something stuffs up.

The machine I settled on is a UNITIG (UNIMIG) 200AMP AC/DC Inverter, it's got a gas metering system with pre & post adjustment in it unlike a simple DC inverter, and it also has a proper start feature where a simple DC inverter with a tig torch would just use scratch start. It has a foot pedal and I just thought stuff it I'll get the trolley while I'm at it. It also has a two year warranty.

It actually took me a while to find out about this model. The places I was going into could get me great prices on $4000 Italian machines which were of no use to me. But this is the first model you'll get offered if you go into Total Tools or Hare & Forbes, which is where mine is coming from, through work.

Anyway I'm doing a delivery today at work and I'll pick it up on the way back.



Oh yeah and Weldmaster seem to make the same thing with a 3 year warranty and they charge a bit more... I don't know what the go is there. A lot of them look very similar! hahaha. It's all a bit confusing. I mainly got this because they have been selling them in Australia for a while, they have a decent warranty, you can get parts for them and there are shopfronts that stock them everywhere. I'll let you know how it goes anyway. Need to organize a gas bottle before I can use it at home though.