Thread: Noob needs advice

For bike(bicycle?)frames you need TIG, certainly not MMA, but many TIG machines come with MMA facility, which gives you the option of building that workbench, garden gate or repairing your excavator bucket.

Hi , yes bicycle frames .

Choppers , quads ,trikes and recumbents . They usually use the steerer tube and the bottom bracket or crank housing .

The guy on atomic zombie uses MMA for his builds , mostly rhs frames .

Any thoughts on the above machines ?.

Hi lilcuda, yeah look many on here own some of the various forms of the brands of machines you mention. For MMA I think any of them should do a decent job, I have an Everlast TIG 250 EX and MMA is as smooth as and so the TIG and good service from Pick Products. Many on here seem very happy with Token Tools too.
If you think MIG and Stick are the best combo for you, they would all perform the job fine so I think it best to make a decision on who may provide the best service and backup for their product should you have a problem. If you have a good well established local dealer it can be a good if they recommend and support something that you are keen on..

TIG would also be my choice for Bike frames, MIG second and Stick last, not to say you cant get great results from stick, it can be the best in many situations.

It seems to be an easy choice; go the Token Tools as it seems to have the similar specs to the others but with the ability to do tig as well.

I think the best advice I could impart is to say "give them a call". A discussion based on your questions will very quickly expose those that have no business selling welders .

I have a Cigweld 175i and I can't fault it. It is a three in one machine TIG, MMAW and MIG. I believe they are less than $1000 bucks now too. I have used the TIG and MIG functions extensively - it works very well. Doe has a 15A plug though.

Might be another welder to consider anyway .


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The BOC and Weldsmart both do tig also .

I was going to go with a BOC 130 smootharc to start with as I have read nothing but good things about it but also know it wont do the complete job Im after so was trying to future proof myself with a more capable machine.

Can anyone recommend a dealer in the Narellan - Camden area ?.

The Weldsmart is pretty cheap at the moment and tokentools seems to have a good rep and the best warranty . The BOC is the most expensive but I dont mind paying extra for quality if it is above the rest .

I very much doubt if the BOC would be any better quality, It may be, I don't know but I wouldn't just assume higher price means higher quality although it does moreso when you get into the more industry rated machines. BOC are not a manufacturer of machines as far as I know, but contract and label various makes of machines for the market under their name. Some have been very high quality Kemppi makes and others from China along with the rest.
I would be looking at the spec and capacity to do your current and expected jobs, plus listen to what other have to say about service, support and warranty of the brand.
But anyway regardless, the BOC 130 is a very small outlay for a basic welder and will not be a waste if you pick up a second machine later on if you want to upgrade. I have 4 machines these days and they all have their uses lol.

The BOC 130 is currently on special for $214.50 so I had to grab one .