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Offline prado2004

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best welder under $500
« on: January 28, 2015, 08:12:50 PM »
hey guys, need a welder and preferably would like it under $500 simply because its only for the odd job and don't need anything crazy.

Have found these two, what do you think of them and would you buy them? I am going for a mig for ease of use as I do not have a massive amount of experience.

Unimig 180
http://www.totaltools.com.au/unimig-welder-mig-gasless-180a-kmm180_1024511/#.VMi1ZMbR3dk

Tradetools 180 mig
https://www.tradetools.com/product-range/welding-equipment/welding-machines/tradetools-180a-mig-welder-gas-gas-gasless-with-regulator

Any other options are appreciated, I figure these two are a lot better quality then something like this

http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/online-store/products/CIGWELD-Welding-Mig-Welder-135-Amp.aspx?pid=346523#Recommendations

Thanks!
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Offline Big Tread

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Re: best welder under $500
« Reply #1 on: January 28, 2015, 08:31:42 PM »
I've got the Unimig 180 unit. It's ok, but the unit is very heavy so I tend not to get it out very often. It also has a 15 amp plug,  which restricts where you can use it.
I wish I'd got an inverter arc welder for the small jobs I do.
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Offline dales133

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Re: best welder under $500
« Reply #2 on: January 28, 2015, 08:35:12 PM »
I got one off ebay. The sellers got a shop in balleratt wit spare parts,250 amp inverter mig with remote wire feed.
He sells them for 2500.00 buy now but does several no reserves a month.
Awsum welder even for twice what I paid
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Offline Bobsan

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Re: best welder under $500
« Reply #3 on: January 28, 2015, 08:36:43 PM »
I purchased a Unimig 180, it is OK , I paid 420 bucks 2 years ago. I wanted something that I could get serviced locally if required.
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Offline Bill

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Re: best welder under $500
« Reply #4 on: January 28, 2015, 09:01:12 PM »
I have the Super Cheap 140 Mig gas/gasless from Super Cheap ( no surprise there)
Run it on gas and gasless.
Works great
Bil
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Offline prado2004

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Re: best welder under $500
« Reply #5 on: January 28, 2015, 09:25:36 PM »
Quote from: Big Tread on January 28, 2015, 08:31:42 PM
I've got the Unimig 180 unit. It's ok, but the unit is very heavy so I tend not to get it out very often. It also has a 15 amp plug,  which restricts where you can use it.
I wish I'd got an inverter arc welder for the small jobs I do.

Yes I plan on making a trolley up to sit the unit on as the weight. I just figure 180 would be good for small jobs and also the bigger ones. I figure the 15 amp plug can be altered to a 10 amp as this seems to be what lots of people do
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Offline Ynot

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Re: best welder under $500
« Reply #6 on: January 28, 2015, 09:40:17 PM »
I like the inverter stick welders, no worries about wire rusting etc and the new models are very easy to use with the smart starting some now have. Also if you buy a reg most can covert to a tig unit.
There is not much field work that doesn't get done with these units at work.
I bought a uni mig brand stick and it goes all right.


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Offline bazt

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Re: best welder under $500
« Reply #7 on: January 28, 2015, 10:28:32 PM »
I have had the Tradetools 180 mig for a few years now.
Not used a lot but always works when I need it.
Run it gasless with fluxed wire.
baz
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Offline RebsWA

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Re: best welder under $500
« Reply #8 on: January 28, 2015, 11:10:22 PM »
I bought myself for xmas a CIG Weldskill 135 Mig Welder from Masters for $374 and it came with a beaut CIG auto darkening helmet.
The toolshops around here wanted $799 for them without the helmet, so I went looking at cheapies till Google turned up that one on special at Masters (in Perth).
Whole thing works a treat and can run gas if required.
Im a happy camper.
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Offline duggie

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Re: best welder under $500
« Reply #9 on: January 29, 2015, 08:49:12 AM »
IMHO, out of the two listed , the Unimig 180 would be my choice.

Quote from: prado2004 on January 28, 2015, 09:25:36 PM
Yes I plan on making a trolley up to sit the unit on as the weight. I just figure 180 would be good for small jobs and also the bigger ones. I figure the 15 amp plug can be altered to a 10 amp as this seems to be what lots of people do
 

I would advise you to get a sparkey around and wire in a 15 amp circuit , a lot less of a problem with tripping fuse boxes if you can feed the unit with the correct amps.

cheers duggie
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Offline prado2004

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Re: best welder under $500
« Reply #10 on: January 29, 2015, 08:53:20 AM »
Quote from: duggie on January 29, 2015, 08:49:12 AM
IMHO, out of the two listed , the Unimig 180 would be my choice.
 

I would advise you to get a sparkey around and wire in a 15 amp circuit , a lot less of a problem with tripping fuse boxes if you can feed the unit with the correct amps.

cheers duggie


Cheers Duggie, was thinking of buying one of these would be cheaper then a sparky and mobile if I take the welder somewhere. don't want to void warranty by cutting it either.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/10A-to-15A-Converter-Adapter-RCD-for-Caravan-RV-Motorhome-10-Amp-to-15-Amp-/321540351206?pt=Caravan_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4add4c64e6
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Offline D4D

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Re: best welder under $500
« Reply #11 on: January 29, 2015, 08:56:15 AM »
I bought one of these from these from the green shed, although I paid $70. Haven't use it yet though.

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Offline eman

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Re: best welder under $500
« Reply #12 on: January 29, 2015, 09:17:17 AM »
Another unimig kmm180 user here... agree on the weight, mine now lives on a trolley. Had a 15A plug installed but the lead is pretty short

Have used it recently making up a set of sliders, has done it easily. First time using a gasless mig but seems to be ok. Will switch over to gas eventually though and get a spool gun for aluminum
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Offline dales133

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Re: best welder under $500
« Reply #13 on: February 08, 2015, 06:49:16 PM »
I've just ground the earth pin down on a 10m lead and plug mine into a regular outdoor power point.
The beauty of the remote wire feed is its also the same connection for a spool gun
Here you go... anyone looking for a good welder for the right money.
Mines very simmilar to this I'd have to check the seller.
http://m.ebay.com.au/itm/131112726076
« Last Edit: February 08, 2015, 06:54:22 PM by dales133 »
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