Thread: Wia vs cigweld migs

Originally Posted by Jessewp

Hey everyone I'm new to this forum and to buying a mig welder.

I have around $1000 to spend on a mig welder and have found two that I'm trying to decide between one brand new the other being pre owned.
1st one is a cigweld weldskill 250 brand new around $950
2nd one is a wia weldmatic 10mm whitch is ore owned but in fair condition $900

My dilema is I have not used either of these before I know wia sells brand new for quite a lot more so does this make it a superior welder to the cigweld? Or am I just better of going with brand new cigweld get the warranty and all that.
Mainly be doing car body work, chassis, x-members and the likes.

sorry if this is a stupid question with no real answer just looking for some advice if anyone can help or possible other migs around this price range?

Thanks jesse

Hi Jesse and welcome to the forum. Both units are of top quality, personally I would go the new unit, as you get a warranty with it. Your local supplier, are they able to repair/service and supply consumables for either unit, is the first question I would ask. Last thing you need on a Saturday morning, is to find out that the consumables have to come from Timbuktu, which is 8 days postage away. For what you are looking to do with it, you could weld 24/7 and it wouldn't over heat.
I think you may have mistyped the model of the WIA as I've not heard of the 10mm version!!!!!
I have a CIG 250 with an 8m remote wire feeder and a 4m torch, which I find is great, as the welder can be left in one spot and the remote carried to where it is needed. As in the past I have found that no matter where you are welding it is just out of reach. It is easier to lift the wire feeder than the welder!!!!!
Have you any experience at MIG welding? Welding structural members in a vehicle is a major undertaking and you must know what you are doing, as when it goes for inspection, that could be a failing point. Don't cover the welds with bog or try to hide welds as they can/will chip away the covering, I know someone who tried to cover a rusted Y mount in an FC Holden with bog, and they checked it more thoroughly. It took him 6 try's at registering it, each time they found something else wrong.
Kryn

Once I would have picked the WIA with no further question. Those days are passed as some WIA machines have dropped in quality greatly.
I hadn't heard of the 10MM version either, Googleing it brought up one at Sydney Tools - a $3000, 225A machine according to their pricing.
I would check if the WIA has copper windings in the transformer - a substantial selling point.
If body panels are a substantial part of your welders duties then concentrate more on the lower end of the amperage range as far as performance goes. It takes a better, more refined welder to produce a controlled bead on 1mm material than to weld 5mm.
If the machine has copper windings and is more like the old WIA quality, then I would pick it over the Cigweld to be honest. Not that Cigweld are the worst of the bunch by any means.