Help me decide on a welding machine

Ben · Post by **Ben** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 9:59 pm

Been looking for a new welder to replace my overworked 120 Amp Ryobi.

Looking at the 220-250 Amps range as I want to be able to do some thicker alloy work too.

In no particular order, the options have been narrowed to.

1. WIA Weldmatic 215 - 9 voltage settings, 15% duty@max (erghh!) ~$1995

2. Lincoln Maxmig 210i - 25% duty@205A ~$1800

3. UniMig Procraft 250 - 30% duty@max ~$1250 but is Italian (FEMA)

4. UniMig Trade Series 250 - 14 voltage settings 30% duty@max ~$1750 (Hungary)

5. Weldmaster Mig220 - 12 voltage settings 40% duty@max (wow!) ~$1695

6. BOC Industrial 250C - 16 voltage settings 30% duty@max ~$2200 (built in Finland by Kemmpi

Of all the ones I have looked at the BOC has by far the best finish but at $2200 it would want to. I am thinking the Weldmaster would be best value for money but can't confirm where/who makes them. From what I can tell they are Aussie, if so then I think that seals it. Anyone's thoughts?

MUDRAT · Post by **MUDRAT** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 10:59 pm

I've used the WIA before and I like it.

t303 · Post by **t303** » Thu Jul 20, 2006 8:03 am

Own a BOC170, as big as you can go and stay portable; no complaints. You can't go wrong with Lincoln or WIA. How thick alloy? I looked at it a while back and a welder I spoke to reckoned that 250amps would only get you to about 5-6mm. Alloy soaks up the heat big time!

Ben · Post by **Ben** » Thu Jul 20, 2006 5:41 pm

It's a bit of a catch22 - I'd like to do 5-6mm with good penetration but to get 250Amps at home you need a good solid 25 amp supply at the plug - which I can't guarantee I can get - I know I'll get 15 which is enough really for a lower voltage 220amp supply.

I am still leaning towards the weldmaster though....

PeeJay · Post by **PeeJay** » Thu Jul 20, 2006 6:01 pm

We've got a UniMig of some sort at work (I think...)

Seems to do 5mm ok, but I'm still a bit of a newbie welder

Ben · Post by **Ben** » Thu Jul 20, 2006 6:07 pm

WIA brochure for the Weldmatic 10mm claims

NEED a MIG welder capable of delivering top-end capacity without
sacrificing low-end performance? The Weldmatic 10mm is the one for
you. As the name suggests it fillet welds up to 10mm of steel, stainless or
aluminium in a single pass. Now that’s real arc power.

Reckon a 200A machine is gonna actually weld 10mm alloy in a single pass??

May well involve .6 wire and flat out wire feed..... can anyone say jammed liner?

MUDRAT · Post by **MUDRAT** » Thu Jul 20, 2006 6:13 pm

You'd better call SnowyHydro and get them to put another turbine online before you try that.

vidler · Post by **vidler** » Thu Jul 20, 2006 7:06 pm

i have a Cigweld 250... ive got an adaptor to plug into 10A (normal wall socket) and ive welded 8mm aluminium easy with plenty of herbs left in it... also done some pretty mean welding on steal.

so if you have got 250A, the proper power, you'll do 10mm ali with oomph to spare.

maybe an option to consider when buying one, look for one that has capabilities to run a push/pull hand piece (one drive pushing in the wire feed and one drive pulling in the hand piece). this will make welding alloys HEAPS easier.

but if there isnt one available in your price range, buy 2 leads and set one up with a steel liner and one with ali... also only use 1.2mm ali wire if you've only got a push set up.

Subaman · Post by **Subaman** » Thu Jul 20, 2006 7:39 pm

Ben they have got a u-beaut stick welder down at Bunnings for $99 slammers, Dave used one to knock up this years Mardigras float with no worries at all.

Ben · Post by **Ben** » Thu Jul 20, 2006 8:15 pm

Subaman wrote:Ben they have got a u-beaut stick welder down at Bunnings for $99 slammers, Dave used one to knock up this years Mardigras float with no worries at all.

$99 slammers you say? That may just fit the bill!

Jay, thanks for your bit, I was hoping you'd put something in.

I can get a whole weldmaster gun/lead liner and U groove roller for about $300

vidler · Post by **vidler** » Thu Jul 20, 2006 8:21 pm

I can get a whole weldmaster gun/lead liner and U groove roller for about $300

cool. will save you money and time in the long run...

time - less spent getting rid of birds nests and tangles in ur wire feeder

money - buying new lead and hand piece coz u've gotten sick of the thing birds nesting and thrown it round a bit too much