Which brand mig welder for home handyman?

[geopaj]

Looking at getting an entry level MIG welder about 135-180amps.

I've researched previous Myswag threads and the common theme is to buy a quality brand.

So, what are the 'quality' brands? The following seem to be easily available in Adelaide...

Cigweld
Ross
MechPro (Repco - and currently 1/2 price on special)
Unimig
Weldcorp (Bunnings)

Or are any of the above acceptable for a home handyman?

Thanks 

[D4D]

If you don't have a 15A circuit in your garage make sure you get a 10A unit. A lot of the 150-180A units are 15A.

[dazzler]

If you don't have a 15A circuit in your garage make sure you get a 10A unit. A lot of the 150-180A units are 15A.

I once heard of this 'bloke' who made up an adapter with a 10amp male plug and 15amp female  so he could use it in his non 15amp shed.

Could you believe it.  Seriously.  Why would someone do this.

 

[geopaj]

I have a dedicated 15a circuit in the shed so it's not an issue 

Which brand though???

[dazzler]

As for which one.  Anything quality brand but I would find a welding shop you feel comfortable with and get one from there.  If you have probs or need spares they know you and you shouldnt get the run around as much. I have abused the living christ out of my unimig over 15yrs and it has only just gone into retirement for a new Weldmaster155

http://www.machines4u.com.au/view/advert/MIG-155E/28769/

[xcvator]

Lincoln, not cheap, but very good

[MrHorsepower]

I have an older model Unimig 240 (5 years old) and it is a great machine (for the money) and I have used the newer Unimig inverter machines and they are even better ..Cheers ..Michael

[Ricklanga]

G'day geopaj,

I have one of these & couldn't be happier http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Magnum-Mig200-Inverter-Mig-Tig-Arc-Welder-Gas-Gasless-/200675979915?pt=AU_Welding&hash=item2eb938728b I weld for a living & this machine welds better than my WIA at work. They are a Chinese import but the seller is an aussie & you can ring him for any info. He's seems like a nice bloke. They come with a two year parts & labour warranty. Check out his 100% feedback rating http://feedback.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback2&userid=magnum-welders&&_trksid=p4340.l2560&rt=nc&iid=200675979915&sspagename=VIP:feedback&ftab=FeedbackAsSeller

He also has a website http://www.magnumwelders.com.au/ I thoroughly recommend them.

--
Richard.

[sandman]

We have a few unimig machines here in the workshop and the cop every bit of abuse that the students gives them and still keep going. Definately good value for the money.

[grafy82]

G'day geopaj,

I have one of these & couldn't be happier http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Magnum-Mig200-Inverter-Mig-Tig-Arc-Welder-Gas-Gasless-/200675979915?pt=AU_Welding&hash=item2eb938728b I weld for a living & this machine welds better than my WIA at work. They are a Chinese import but the seller is an aussie & you can ring him for any info. He's seems like a nice bloke. They come with a two year parts & labour warranty. Check out his 100% feedback rating http://feedback.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback2&userid=magnum-welders&&_trksid=p4340.l2560&rt=nc&iid=200675979915&sspagename=VIP:feedback&ftab=FeedbackAsSeller

He also has a website http://www.magnumwelders.com.au/ I thoroughly recommend them.

--
Richard.

While I don't doubt this machine will lay a good weld, you can get a quality brand for close to that sort of money. Cigweld have a 175 mig, stick, tig inverter for $950 at my local welding shop and would be a better long term option. I have a Lincoln 170 but would love a new inverter mig. The old Lincoln weighs about 30kg but the inverter CIG is about 16kg. Makes a difference if you have to move it around a bit.

[qlddsl]

Look at the cigweld transmig 175i inverter mig out now. Very good unit for about $1000.

[dazzler]

Sorry to hijack but a quick question.  For those who have moved from mig to tig was it much of a learning curve?

[D4D]

I once heard of this 'bloke' who made up an adapter with a 10amp male plug and 15amp female  so he could use it in his non 15amp shed.

That would be great but the not so bright sparky wired up our house with the kitchen, laundry, living room and garage on the one power circuit

[markg66]

I've had a 3 phase Migomag for more than 20 years and still a great machine, they are light industrial so the price may be up there now. They also make the Migomag blue in single phase, it's 160amp.
http://www.migomag.com.au/products_detail.asp?id=377

Cheers
Mark

[DannyG]

Sorry to hijack but a quick question.  For those who have moved from mig to tig was it much of a learning curve?

I have a Tig and a Mig Dazzler and they are two different beasts.

I mainly use the tig for aluminium in AC or stainless but I have used it for mild steel in DC several times when the need has arisen. If your only talking about mild steel or stainless then the learning curve is not that big at all but there is a little more to welding aluminium in AC.

The only time I might use the tig for mild steel is when I want a small controlled perfect weld. Such as butting two pipes together and the weld is feature.....in this case I wouldnt use any wire, just fuse them together.

[DannyG]

Oh and I use a Krieger 250 amp Mig I found at a bargain price, it is a beautiful mig.

[oldmate]

I have a cig 250amp. Works great


Sent from an overpriced, overengineered, outdated gadget that can make phone calls, sometimes.

[Bobsan]

Just purchased a Uni MiG 180  230v, it came with a 2 1/2 year warranty from Hare and Forbes in Melb A good domestic MiG for lite work. I use a large 3 phase MiG at work.

[jetcrew]

I got a Weldmaster 220 ... I,m not an  expert though as I was/still am  a novice  ..from memory about $2500.. so far faultless about 2 yrs. copper transformer is all I could tell you cause thats what the sales guy told me, Prob overkill for me at home but ,service from local guy was exceptional and showed me everything about it 2hrs in the shop so I bought off him ..local tool shop with CIGweld could not even be bothered to talk to me. Oh and of course the digital amp meter won me over ...LOL

So I bought based on the service of the reseller rather than a particular unit and thus far have been very happy, infact gave it another run today welded up some 100x100x6mm posts for my new gates.

Gate builder told me to remember to put the posts in out of plumb with a lean on them..I said "no worries mate I'm an expert at putting posts in out of plumb..just can not guareentee which way it will be out"..

Good luck and happy shopping 

jet      

[Smoko]

I once heard of this 'bloke' who made up an adapter with a 10amp male plug and 15amp female  so he could use it in his non 15amp shed.

Could you believe it.  Seriously.  Why would someone do this.

 

This is done more times than you would think not just the bloke at home I've seen it done in workshops and out on job sites it's quite common.


Cheers


Smoko

[Snowy]

Hey geopaj,

I'm a massive fan of the Lincoln 180 ! > https://www.alltools.com.au/shop/index.php/65/2777_Lincoln_Electric_Power_Mig_180*_Single_Phase_

Over the last couple years I've started doing a lot of contract fencing and cattle yard building in the Kimberley and the 180 is certainly the welder of choice with the stations/other contractors I deal with.

Reliability was a massive factor for me, and mine has been bouncing around on the back of my ute for 2 years with no major drama's.

I'm not really up to date with the other welders on your list, but the 180 is definitely worth a look !

Cheers,
James.

[geopaj]

Thanks everyone...

I think I'll go for a Unimig 180 as a local store currently has them for $399!

Cheers