Thread: Which 240V Mig Welder to Buy?

Originally Posted by Riley

I wonder if the cost of getting 3 phase on your place would be off set by the purchase price? .....

I believe that this thought will quickly change once a person gets a quotation for upgrading to 3 phase power.

Of course every situation is different dependent on requirement, location and physical distance from an existing 3 phase supply.

I too had thoughts on 3 phase, not only for welding but woodworking and metal machining equipment.

Having had a conversation (not a quotation) with an electrician about this I was told think $10,000 and upwards.Your own quotations will undoubtedly vary.

For comparison I paid $250 for a domestic 15 amp point few years back.

Grahame

I was quoted just over $5000.00 for a few hours work. I have three phase just outside my front gate. The price was simply for aerial connection to the barge, and running 16mm2 for 5m down to the board. An absolute scam as far as I am concerned. Since the power companies have been privatised, and all connection work is done by a very select few contractors, the price of connection has gone up five fold in my area.
This is the reason I build my phase converter in the workshop, which is all working brilliantly by the way.
I wonder if a 3phase welder can by rewired easily to run on single phase????
Probably not..

Originally Posted by Fossil

I wonder if a 3phase welder can by rewired easily to run on single phase????
Probably not..

Hi Fossil,
I do believe some machine have the tappings to run dual voltages ,but I am not sure if on 3 phase.

I'll check with the sparks at wifey's work and report back
Grahame

Originally Posted by Grahame Collins

I believe that this thought will quickly change once a person gets a quotation for upgrading to 3 phase power.

Of course every situation is different dependent on requirement, location and physical distance from an existing 3 phase supply.

I too had thoughts on 3 phase, not only for welding but woodworking and metal machining equipment.

Having had a conversation (not a quotation) with an electrician about this I was told think $10,000 and upwards.Your own quotations will undoubtedly vary.

For comparison I paid $250 for a domestic 15 amp point few years back.

Grahame

Crikey! Guess that buys a lot of single phase welder!

A lot of older houses do have at least 2 phase for the older stoves.

Hi Ticky,
I have been using a single phase CIG Transmig 195 at work for 15yrs, and its been a real workhorse. Not much real heavy stuff over 6mm, but kms of 2-3mm like 25x25 RHS. Parts have been no worries, which is the good thing about big brands.
My home MIG is a WIA 175 and I really like it, ideal for lighter stuff. It doesn't have infinite control on voltage like the Transmig (seperate coarse and fine with click settings) , but still a nice welder for a reasonable cost. Not cheap, but its Australian made.

Cheers