[DarkHorse]

+1, using the work one quite a bit now and it's a great machine. Glad I talked them into it!

[abclarke]

Hey guys how would you say the 180c compares to the transmig 175i? Cant the 180c do stick/tig too?

[monley]

abclarke wrote:

Hey guys how would you say the 180c compares to the transmig 175i? Cant the 180c do stick/tig too?

The 180c is MIG only....

[abclarke]

Im guessing it will be a better mig machine than the 175i then seeing as its dedicated?

[DarkHorse]

Never used the 175i, but the reviews I read when I was researching the 180 said it was a marginally better MIG. Wire speed and current controls are great, and power delivery is really consistent. I haven't used it to it's duty cycle limits yet, and I've done a few decent sessions.

[monley]

DarkHorse wrote:

Never used the 175i, but the reviews I read when I was researching the 180 said it was a marginally better MIG. Wire speed and current controls are great, and power delivery is really consistent. I haven't used it to it's duty cycle limits yet, and I've done a few decent sessions.

I have used both welders (i have a 175I) and the 180c does weld a bit nicer than the 175i. In saying that tho, i wouldn't pay 1k for a 180c if i still needed to do TIG/MMAW (cus that would mean getting more welding machines). If you only plan on doing MIG, then the 180c is better than the 175i, but as all rounder, you can't go past the 175i IMO.

[ZookiMonsta]

I'm in desperate need of a new welder, it needs to be able to weld light stuff like body panels etc but still have enough power to weld cages/chassis etc. I've been thinking about getting
a combined Inverter Mig/Tig for these duties, something along the lines of this (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/UniMig-190Am ... 545wt_1139). Does anyone know if a combined unit would be the way to go or
would I be better off getting two seperate units? Any info is appreciated

[sogone]

viewtopic.php?f=17&t=3031

Peow.

[SierraDan]

ZookiMonsta

I am by no means a professional welder and I've welded up Sierra body work successfully using that UniMig 190 and also a bunch of brackets and what not on my car.
My mate who is a preeeeety damn good welder used it to make up heaps of tube work and his 4link rear end.
Every setting is in 0.1 digital increments. Heaps easy to use. I love it.

[-giddy-]

Attachment:

rsz_1welders.jpg

Here is my mig and plasma, plus the housemates arc

BOC 275amp Smootharc Advance Mig

UniMig 170amp DC Inverter Arc on the floor

and a cheap chinese 40amp plasma cutter on the trolley to the right.


Built 2 boat trailers with the 275, and various other jobs and love it. Couldn't reccomend it more highly. It still does the thin stuff quite well thanks to the fine settings it has, i just make sure i get it right with test panels first.

If your going to buy one, haggle with the BOC person, I got them down to $1250 with 2 rolls of wire, tips, nozzles, anti splatter, gloves and nozzle dip. So I saved about 300 off the marked price.

The unimig arc is used for the portable stuff and the tig work by my housemate, I can use it quite well just sticking (I'm no to flash usually), which is saying alot! It's pretty much idiot proof.

And the plasma is my new toy, still learning to use it, so I'm killing a lot of tips! But the beauty of it is the tip/electrodes are cheap on ebay, I've got 250 sitting there for under 50 bucks. Dunno how it going to last overtime, but for under $280 I'm not fussed, i'll buy a better one if it dies!

Cheers Nick

[Rookie_zookie]

What are the Boc mig 190c like are they good for thin and thick stuff

[31zook]

Hopefully buying a CIG 170A this week some time.

Bring on the TIG'd awesomeness!

[zooky08]

31zook wrote:

Hopefully buying a CIG 170A this week some time.

Bring on the TIG'd awesomeness!

Is it the inverter stick and tig one? If so I've got one, Havnt used the tig on it yet though
Some how I was supplied the wrong gas.

[appsie]

i have a inverter 170a stick with tig option. have never used tig and havent really used the stick in years either

i also have a 250amp magmate welder from BOC. have built,numerour 4b bits such as barwork,rear bars,haymon reece style tow bars,and then my hole buggy build with heavy plate work,chassis work,tube work and panel work including capping off paper thin half doors. while it was a bit heavy for the panel work it isnt impossible.some .6 wire would of helped there but i use .9 for everything

it was $1200 4 years ago and i love it

[mr.green]

appsie wrote:

it was $1200 4 years ago and i love it

yeh, i've only every heard you say good things about it

[jdk81]

I had a shopping spree this week, setting up my own workshop.

Picked up a cigweld cutskill oxy-acet kit from supercheap for $99.95 (it was already at half price $149.95 , but because it was missing the tip cleaners, I got $50 off).
Im contemplating getting an LPG reg, and lpg-oxy hose (off ebay), to try and keep running costs down.
Currently only doing business from my shed 2 days per week, im working out of factories etc 3 days/week

Following AJSR's advice,
I picked up a migstar 250
As he stated the workpiece lead is short, and the clamp is garbage
The torch seems pretty crap too, which will be swapped out when it gives me the shits. Its a tweco variant
The reg in the kit is a bit crappy, and will be swapped out when it annoys me enough (most likely next bottle change).
It also came fitted with a 20A plug.

The manual is rubbish, and with very little information about setting it up etc. I had to set up by sound, then inspect to see how hot it was. The dials only give a readout whilst welding, which means being a newbie on this machine requires a bit of scrap steel until you know where the dials go for the settings you use.
Once set up its very nice to use. The best single phase mig welder ive used, and also the cheapest.
Duty cycle at thick stuff is a bit poo, but if doing lots of work on thick steel 3 phase is a must.
The side panel to access the wire feeder and spool, is a panel which slots into place, then is screwed on. Id prefer hinges at the top. I like easy access as I keep spares in a container in there too.

The biggest draw backs are setting it up, the crappy clamp, short lead, torch and regulator.
Its pretty heavy, and a challenge for 1 person to get in and out of a sierra.

The other toy I picked up was a proweld tc205 3 in 1 50A plasma, ac/dc tig, stick welder.
Pretty much got it as a site welder (backup workshop welder), but the plasma cutter is pretty cool.
I really enjoyed using it, I couldnt find enough scrap steel to practice on.
I hadnt used a plasma cutter before, but I was impressed. Much more user friendly than an oxy.
Considering the consumables can be sourced on ebay pretty cheaply, it presents itself a contender for someone who wants a metal cutter, without forking out for bottle rental.
If you wanted to use it as a plasma cutter away from your air comp, you can use gas bottles, however, if you are using gas bottles, you can use lgp-oxy, or act-oxy.
The rated flow rate of 3.6cfm appears to be fairly accurate, my 175l/min air comp easily kept up. I havent pushed it to see its upper limits (how thick it will cut)
The workpiece lead and clamp were significantly better quality than the migstar 250.
The tig and plasma torches have crappy buttons on them, im a little sceptical how long the buttons will last, however these can be easily replaced.
The handpiece for stick welding, seemed crappy like most kits.
The air regulator, filter and water seperator work well, except the joints leak, so either use some teflon tape or locktite 5770 thread sealant.
Once again, the manual was rubbish, using trial and error to set up the plasma cutter.

It is also heavier than plain stick welders of the same capacity. If mobility is a priority, other options are probably better.

[just_cruizin]

what's the thoughts on these

http://www.bocworldofwelding.com.au/smo ... -200c.html

reasonable price $1200 off the street so should be able to twist some arms

[ball]

just_cruizin wrote:

what's the thoughts on these

http://www.bocworldofwelding.com.au/smo ... -200c.html

reasonable price $1200 off the street so should be able to twist some arms

I have sold a couple of the bigger ones and they are great.

[just_cruizin]

Ball, How hard do you think I can twist their arm?

[ball]

just_cruizin wrote:

Ball, How hard do you think I can twist their arm?

not very from past experiences

I am a boc agent and equipment partner and I have to fight to get a decent price at time so I can resell them.

I will see what I can get you one for

[offroadjack]

went shoppin today and got talked into a cigweld 175i. $999 was a pretty good price i think and the thing looks really trick! can't wait to flick the on/off switch! now i haven't read all of these posts but i'll go gasless for a while. the wire is much deerer but gasbottles aint cheap + the yearly rent is something that put me off it.

[DarkHorse]

Gas is worth it in my limited experience.

Depending on how much you are going to use you can get deals for the gas that don't involve rental.

[Fatzook]

offroadjack wrote:

went shoppin today and got talked into a cigweld 175i. $999 was a pretty good price i think and the thing looks really trick! can't wait to flick the on/off switch! now i haven't read all of these posts but i'll go gasless for a while. the wire is much deerer but gasbottles aint cheap + the yearly rent is something that put me off it.

Hate to say it, but you could have gotten a Lincoln 180 for that money. Far better machine IMO.

Unless you actually like gasless ( slit your wrists!! ), just cough up the extra coin for gas. Its not as bad as you think, and its far easier and cleaner to work with than flux core wire.

[offroadjack]

thats what i thought! better welding with gas but he put me off it as he told me what it cost!, i haven't done any shopping around yet but he said 150 bucks for a bottle (didn't think they were that expensive) + couple hundred bucks for rental...
it's not that i'm gonna use the welder all day so don't wanna pay for something i don't use.
i'm not a pro welder but apperently it's the best selling machine in their shop + it's light and welds tig and stick if needed.
had to put up with a 300 dollar e-bay mig200 and that was just shit to weld with. at least cigweld is sold just about anywhere so parts are available at every corner just about...

[sbyard]

Think I'm going to invest in a lincoln 180.

What do the welding connoisseurs think of this deal?

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/LINCOLN-POWE ... 3f206e2b00

How are these when running gasless?

Sam

[Fatzook]

Great machine. None better for the money.

As for gasless, well they run as well as any other machine does. But gasless is a massive PITA, so maybe get yourself a bottle too.

[Benchai]

I have acquired a Transtig 275, the old coil 3 phase big heavy mutha. It didn't come with any cables or a manual. So I need a tig torch with a 7pin plug for the switch and maybe if the welding gods smile a copy of the owner's manual. Long shot on the manual, but I'm hoping for better luck on the torch. Anybody got any experience with this ol' baby?

[ball]

Benchai wrote:

I have acquired a Transtig 275, the old coil 3 phase big heavy mutha. It didn't come with any cables or a manual. So I need a tig torch with a 7pin plug for the switch and maybe if the welding gods smile a copy of the owner's manual. Long shot on the manual, but I'm hoping for better luck on the torch. Anybody got any experience with this ol' baby?

tig torch available on ebay

can't help with manual

[Benchai]

ball wrote:

Benchai wrote:

I have acquired a Transtig 275, the old coil 3 phase big heavy mutha. It didn't come with any cables or a manual. So I need a tig torch with a 7pin plug for the switch and maybe if the welding gods smile a copy of the owner's manual. Long shot on the manual, but I'm hoping for better luck on the torch. Anybody got any experience with this ol' baby?

tig torch available on ebay

can't help with manual

Cool, thanks. Would this one work? http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/SIMADRE-HIGH ... 1c2d9d124e

[madmacca]

link to manual for Transtig 275/375 http://www.murexwelding.co.uk/manuals/o ... S-375S.pdf