Thread: Boc 130

I'm actually considering buying this model for a TIG conversion. Weighing it all up, at $300 it is an absolute bargain. You can download the manual from the BOC website, which shows these specs:

Duty cycle (A)
100% @ 82
60% @ 105
50% @ 115
35% @ 138
Efficiency: 85%
Weight (kg) 5.5

100% duty cycle at 82 amps is pretty good. Going by the rule of 30-40 amps per mm, you could probably weld non-stop all day for 1.5mm stuff without worry of it cutting out on you. This model also plugs into a standard 10 amp socket, which is handy.

Originally Posted by dorack

Hi went to day to look at this boc 130 portable inverter stick welder. Was told the inverter is made in china 16 months warranty plus all the back up aust wide.Was told it will do 1.5mm thick rhs up which i want it to do. Was going to buy a mig for light steel jobs but the guy in shop said this is the way to go he told me they have sold about 30 of these and no trouble at all.i have a 120amp ac stick welder, but he said these are dc and inverter ones are smooth.Going to look or buy tomorrow can't wait.What do you think Terry.

Hello Terry,

I think that what you were told in the shop is right; the little inverters welders have electronics that enable low-amp welding on RHS. Basically, it's harder to break the arc. But skill is still required to do a neat job.

Hi Terry,
You have all the elements there mate

Known brand name & supplier
Good warranty -16 months
Obviously,back up in the form of the supplier who should be point in the direction of repairs, if needed.

Something to bear in mind though, is that IF a repair is needed it would not take a lot of repairs to exceed the purchase price. estimating a $60 to $80 an hr labor rate even before spare parts are applied.


Having said that ,I believe it will shine on RHS work.


Grahame

They sound interesting .What gauge rod will they run at the maximum amperage setting ?
I've heard that inverter welders will run quite thick rods with good penetration compared to the old a type which I have always had ?
it sounds cheap too , where are you buying it ?

---mat

They will run 3.2 comfortably, and the instructions recommend it. They may run a 4mm when fully cranked.

HI there, went this morning to Westlakes Gas, the welders warehouse Warners bay.I took a gas bottle 9.5kgs ex beer gas bottleto see if they would check and fill gas for mig welder---no go only boc bottles they will fill.If they had i was thing of buying a Boc 170p mig for around $960 but cant justifie the rental of bottle appx $140 a yr and e size gas $80 per fill So i brought this little beauty Boc 130amp $328 also a small ptk 1.5 rods to try they all said i would be happy as larry. They said no trouble with these inverter models yet. Thanks everyone for your help will keep you in touch,going down now to give it ago cheers Terry.

Hi Terry,
Now that you have your machine home I expect you will like to try it immediately.With 1.5 MM rods , 1.6mm wall thickness RHS can be butt welded easy!

What works very well is tacking the corners first,checking for square and parallel alignment as you go.

Rather than butt the edges up tight leave a gap, say half the thickness of the rod. Set your piece up at 45 degrees, half way between straight up and down vertical and flat horizontal.

Strike your arc at the top and keeping a short arc length run vertically down.If you have to weave make it minimal just to correct running off centre.

Thats assuming you ,of course ,already have some arc time . If not drag out some scrap and burn rods.

We are here when you need us!

Cheers

Grahame

I have a question with this welder. I've noticed in the instruction manual, there is the specs table, and it shows much better duty cycle if the machine draws 15 amps instead of 10. Any idea how you configure it to draw more current? Some sort of screw switch on the back or something?

Hi lads

A 15 cable & plug connected to a 15amp GPO
outghta do it.

Using a qualified electrician to hook it it up of course.

Grahame

I have a 170a model and have an issue with using it for TIG welding; it will not turn down below 30a, I see the 130 has these specs.

This was a problem last weekend when building a set of 1.6mm stainless steel extractors! Alternate dodgy measures were taken to reduce the current which is a pain.

Hi fellows
I have spent may hrs fiddleing around with my little baby.Can't be happer first off the earth clip is a real one real strong and big the rod holder is the same. Only used 2.00 2.5mm rods so far on 1.6 2.0 2.5mm rhs,used 30amps then 70 then 40 up 80 etc look iam very happy it sounds silly but it feels good.[Grahame if youre there i did what you said rhs butt joint, little gap and run down about 45' angle works fine i'am wrapped.The shop gave me 1.5mm rods theyre for stainless steel no good for me.On monday will go out and get 1.6 2.00. 2.5mm rhs scrap and practise more I love this Boc its so much better than the little telwin 120amp i have.I might get some 3.2 rods as well Ive been a hobby welder off and on for 2-3yrs but this new welder has taken me on a new plane.Grahame i have read your posts over and over again they are a great help thank you if you have some little tips please let me know cheers terry.

Originally Posted by dorack

[Grahame if youre there i did what you said rhs butt joint, little gap and run down about 45' angle works fine i'am wrapped.The shop gave me 1.5mm rods theyre for stainless steel no good for me.On monday will go out and get 1.6 2.00.

Fantastic!
Another satisfied customer.
Just remember with all that extra welding you will find to do- remember your safety- Eyes & skin from radiation and the fumes.-weld in a ventilated area -

BOC Inverter hey! 4 times the price of the tinny Telwyn and about 300 times better.Flog it off and buy some rods with the dough!

I sure hope they sold you the stainless rods by mistake.They are worth a fortune in comparison to the standard rods. Hang to them-good for those fiddly tricky jobs where you want only a tiny little - but strong and good looking tack-
Stick em in a length of PVC plumbers pipe with caps and they will last for years- I have had rods stored this way for years- Mark the type & size with texta pen on o/side of pipe and Bobs your uncle.

Grahame