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22nd September 2014, 10:07 AM #1New Member
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CIG Transtig 180 manual and advice
These welders are twenty to thirty years old and I am wondering are they still a good welder. I'm looking at purchasing a transtig 180 for around $600 with extras, which is supposedly in good working order.
Are parts still available any advice would be appreciated.
I'm also after a manual if any one would have have a copy my email address is [email protected]
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22nd September 2014 10:07 AM # ADSGoogle Adsense Advertisement
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23rd September 2014, 01:23 PM #2GOLD MEMBER
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Hi 02howdy,
I have one and still use it weekly as a Stick on AC and TIG on DC Neg. These welders are multivoltage, i.e. 240 volt single phase or 415 volt 2/3 phase. The only problem I have had was when the HV capacitor for the Pilot Arc failed. A very kind Forumite gave me a compatable replacement, then I also sourced some brand new ones from the USA. At $600 I think it is overpriced, but an equivelent new one will be much more, with a lower duty cycle, so you have to decide. Most parts can be sourced as its a rebranded Miller welder from the USA. If you do a search through these threads someone has posted the manual up before.
rgds,
Crocy.
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23rd September 2014, 02:20 PM #3
I have an old TransTig 250. I use it for stick (normally DC) and TIG (both AC and DC) and is my "go to" welder. It may be old, but it works very well. Great welders
Cheers.
Vernon.
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Bite off more than you can chew and then chew like crazy.
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24th September 2014, 10:55 AM #4GOLD MEMBER
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They are alright and that's about as far as I would go.
From memory, they have no AC balance control, (I know my Transtig 250 does not), which means that for AC welding, they do not perform as well as a machine that provides balanced AC current, (they will eat 2.4mm tungstens at much over 100A but 3.2mm work alright albeit with a less focused arc but will give acceptable results in the 2-5mm thickness range. Duty cycle will not be marvellous, somewhere between the Transtig 150 (150A @ 25%) and the Transtig 250 (250A @ 30%/ 140A @100%). Working on the 1 amp per thou rule or 40 amps per mm if you prefer, 3mm ally will require around 120A so it will be relatively easy to hit the duty cycle point when TIG welding. They don't have line voltage compensation either, so can be fussy buggers to set up.
The AC balance issue will of course not be an issue if DC Tig is your main usage.
I have just gotten rid of my Transtig 250 for these reasons and upgraded to a Hobart Tigwave 250 - a machine that I would damn near propose marriage to.
If you can get a few more dollars together, other welders are probably better options, but if you are maxed out at that price range then the Transtig 180 will be better than no welder at all. $600 does seem to be on the high side for that machine though. If you have 3 phase, then many doors will open up as options, but as far as single phase goes, you are a bit restricted to machines like the '150 and '180 or the newer crop of inverters, (just don't buy a BOC, they are crap construction and as bad as the worst ebay specials, but cost 50% more).
As an example, a Token Tools AluPulse 200 with a one year warranty comes in at $1350 and a Magnum Welders Tig200P could be as low as $1090. Both would exceed the Transtig 180 in duty cycle and welding performance. Lincoln make some beautiful entry level welders too, so don't forget to look at them if you are in the market.
Contact BOC for a manual for your Transtig 180, that's how I got one for my Transtig 250. They were very helpful and emailed me a PDF scan of a manual.
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19th October 2014, 08:59 AM #5New Member
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thank you for your input, it has been a great help
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20th October 2014, 09:56 AM #6GOLD MEMBER
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Well, don't keep us in suspense
Did you make a purchase?
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8th November 2014, 05:46 PM #7New Member
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I purchased the welder and was a bit annoyed with my self, as I paid a deposit so was obligated to buy the welder before listening to everyone's advice, however I tested the welder prior to pick up and all functions seemed to work fine, tested ac on ally and dc welding stainless and arc welding.
I'm concerned with the current draw on single phase, as the seller had his own moch up fuse arrangement of approx 30 amps. I have a unimig 190 which runs fine on the 15 amp single phase at my home, so just wondering what the other users are using for their fuse arrangement to run these on single phase.
I didn't have time to test the transtig at home, as I have had to travel overseas, so would be interested in any information.
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9th November 2014, 07:18 AM #8GOLD MEMBER
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First thing I would do is ring the cigweld customer service number and they will email you a manual. The manual will tell you what your current draw is and the recommended fuse. If you are running circuit breakers then they really should be D curve.
From memory your Transtig 180 will be around 30A input, so you will need a good supply and heavy wiring.
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9th November 2014, 08:13 AM #9
They are very helpful. I rang them and they sent out the manuals for my 250.
Ideally yes, but I wouldn't worry too much about changing an existing breaker unless you start having issues with that breaker tripping. If however you are getting a dedicated circuit put in anyway, then may as well do it then I guess.Cheers.
Vernon.
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10th November 2014, 05:43 PM #10GOLD MEMBER
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14th November 2014, 06:27 PM #11New Member
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Thanks Karl for your help I have already got the manual from Cig weld and like you they replied within a day
Ashley
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16th November 2014, 07:18 PM #12GOLD MEMBER
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Not a problem mate.
As a matter of interest, what supply fuse is recommended in the manual?
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1st December 2014, 08:35 PM #13New Member
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I have attached the manual for anyone who may be interested, however on page 4 it says the supply voltage of 240 voltage uses 26 amps (specifications). I'll test it out when I arrive home in another month.
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