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Thread: Unimig mini mig kmm180 opinions
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4th April 2015, 08:08 PM #16SENIOR MEMBER
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Hmm, not sure about that. I used gasless wire on my UniMIG for about a year or more before changing to CO2, and even with the cheaper CO2 beergas, I'm pretty sure it cost more than running flux core wire.
I did heaps of light fabrication with gasless, and apart from a bit more spatter and requiring a swipe with a wire brush to remove the slag, it produced sound welds with a good looking bead profile. People also whinge about the smoke that gasless wire produces, which is true, but not much different to running stick.
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5th April 2015, 02:31 PM #17Novice
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5th April 2015, 07:52 PM #18SENIOR MEMBER
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I don't think you'll regret starting on gasless - I certainly didn't. I came from stick, where I'd become reasonably proficient, and gasless gave me a chance to suss out the relative merits of MIG and do a heap of welding reasonably cheaply, and a lot was done outside, which is one advantage of gasless (and stick).
I picked up a UniMIG 165 which is an inverter combo machine, cost about $850 - the combo setup is great for me - I can leave the stick electrode holder hooked up and run a stick any time I like - I often find it's actually easier to get a desired quality level and bead profile with a known stick setup than hunting about tweaking settings on MIG. It's also reasonably light, and I've thrown it in the back of the ute many times.
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6th April 2015, 11:18 AM #19Novice
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Thanks for that. I've already got a sick but it's a pretty old one. Pain to use too. In going to do what you suggest though and start off using it gasless and go from there. I've noticed the wire is triple the price but I don't think I'll be using it that much anyway. If I do I can always buy a swap n go bottle.
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13th April 2015, 11:30 AM #20Senior Member
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I bought a KMM180 to supplement my Token TIG a few months back for $400 - seems a solid unit for the price.
Still using gasless wire which iv been able to make some decent welds with but its MESSY!!
Torch is a bit short but it is standard euro connect so no issues getting a longer torch.
It is a transformer machine so its heavy and maybe not quite as smooth as an inverter.
Over all i reckon its going to be a nice little reliable machine for light duty work.
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13th April 2015, 04:46 PM #21Novice
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Thanks for that. I was so up and down with which mig welder to get because of the 15 amp plug and decided not to get one at all. Instead I ended up getting the unimig 130amp arc/tig inverter welder. Straight after getting it I took it to my mates workshop who is a welder and he was blown away with how good it was. He was welding everything from 1.6mm to 10mm steel. On a 10amp plug mind you. I took it home afterwards and had a bit of a play with it (I'm terrible with stick) and within 5 minutes i was laying down half decent beads on 1.6mm steel. The unit is an inverter, weighs a few kilos asks is amazing.
I was originally against arc welders as I'd only ever used the old transformer type and hated them. This thing is a amazing at how easy it is to use. Can't wait to get it set up for tig.
Only cost me $299 too.
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13th April 2015, 04:52 PM #22Senior Member
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i was actually looking at one of them before i splurged on the Token Alusync.
Inverter stick is much nicer than transformer stick but I'm not a fan of 6013s (slag inclusions are so easy) and anything else is hard to find or $$$ locally.
Once handed mig is nice for tacking
TIG is nice for making nice welds and enjoying the experience e.g. no smoke, splatter (and full control with a pedal!)
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13th April 2015, 09:04 PM #23GOLD MEMBER
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For what it's worth, I reckon you have got the better deal by going with a DC inverter. When someone asks me to recommend a welder for a home workshop, I invariably put the case for a stick welder, they are the most versatile and reliable machine bar none.
I wouldn't rush in to setting it up for TIG unless you have a specific need to. TIG is a relatively slow welding process and not suited to coated materials such as Duragal, Supagal, Aluminised tube and anything zinc plated, of course you also need the cylinder of Argon to go with it.
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13th April 2015, 10:58 PM #24
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14th April 2015, 09:48 PM #25Senior Member
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yea it mostly happens when I'm trying to push the limits of thin stock with stick, no problems if i can run it hot.
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