Thread: Welder Choice

I would say Lincoln, they have a good warranty, can get help when you need it. I looked at buying the 180c but can't justify the gas and expense of it, beside, by the time I go to use a mig again the wire has gone rusty.

Had a CIG Transmig 195 Ruarl Pak once, fantastic Mig to use. Don't know much about the other brand, Hare & Forbes sell them also.

In my choice I want back up service, Lincoln has that covered.

Of the 3 machines listed the only one not made in china is the lincoln
Thats made in America's China "Mexico"
That said it is probably the better of them it is however the heaviest and it does not do tig or stick
Unimig has probably got the best back up and after sales service I have found them to be more than helpful when things go wrong and their machines are getting a lot better I would put them second
Cigweld the machine is ok but if things go wrong its pretty much toss a coin you might be lucky, Once its out of warranty forget about repairing it .

For the work you want to do why don't you just get an inverter stick welder, cheaper, no ongoing costs (gas), light and portable and is good for thicknesses down to 2mm, thinner with a little practice, I weld 1.6mm square tube with mine all the time. The 130amp models use only a 10 amp outlet and can run 3.2mm electrodes.

Getting to the point where you can lay down a decent stick weld, particularly a fillet, and particularly on thin sections, takes a hell of a lot longer than with MIG.

That said, I'd definitely try and get a combo machine - the ability to swap to stick when appropriate makes the machine that much more useful.

That's a good move increasing the budget my next Mig will be in the 12 to 14 hundred price range as the $500 unit i have now is a PIA [duty cycle etc]

Thanks Guys for ur advice keep it coming
i thought of getting an arc/stick but i noe its cheaper but its a pain the #### to use for a beginner
I was thinking of getting a comb unit bc i can always use and learn stick when i need stronger in high stress areas.
By the things are looking now gonna keep looking for a decent combi unit at a good price or if i find one 2nd hand.

Hey do u guys noe anyone that selling theres??
I looked in the sale section of the forum but i found nothing in vic

Thanks guys
Really appreciate the advice

I really liked this one better than an a cig weld 175i
Mig welder Tokentools | Multifunction mig welding machines | Inverter MIG welder 200 Amps welding current

Has more power and cheaper.