Which Arc Welder

[Ranga]

I've decided to get an arc welder, despite not picking up a welder since I got my arc certificate 25 years ago!

I think arc would suit my very infrequent needs best, but want to learn how to do this myself for many reasons. Anyway, I've been told by a boilermaker friend that cheap welders are fine, but stick to a good name brand.

Unfortunately when a MacFamily was at my place trying to do some minor welding, the 16A circuit kept tripping. I now have a 30A circuit available - would this help avoid that?

Also, would an inverter welder be a better option?

Seeing as Masters/SCA have 20% off at the moment, I reckon they probably have a decent price, and are close, so perhaps if you can point me at one of their's it would be good.

[Judo]

Regarding current, it's more about which type of power point you have available not circuit breaker capacity. Standard is 10A wall socket. Better is a 15A wall socket that a lot of people have installed in their shed. If you only have 10A sockets you're limited to about 120A-130A arc welders. 140A and above will require a 15A wall socket.

I bought my first welder not long ago and have been slowly learning with an inverter arc welder. I considered all types and brands at the time and I'm very happy with my choice of inverter arc. It is 130A (10A wall socket). I have never need more and never hit the duty cycle for occasional DIY use. I can't see any that are particularly cheap on the SCA or Masters website. I could swear you can get them for around $100 although I can't see any now I search.

I also thought I would have a go at TIG one day, so I bought this one:

Unimig 130Amp ARC130 DC Invertor Welder KUMJR130CA | eBay

Note, this is only DC TIG, so it won't do Aluminium.

[Tombie]

Good rods matter more than the unit...

[Ranga]

I replaced our old electric oven with a gas oven, and have since hijacked the 30A circuit and put a 15A powerpoint there

A mate has alerted me to the 3-in-1 units, allowing MIG, Tig and stick. Probably overkill for what I need, but certainly some felixibility there. If I don;t go that way, probably an inverter stick welder is the go.

EDIT: just noticed the price on the 3-in-1 jobs... looks like I'll be getting an inverter stick welder!

[Ranga]

Any reason not to buy this one?

https://www.masters.com.au/product/9...welder-100-amp

[Judo]

100A seems a bit tight, particularly if you have a 15A socket. I can't see anything better at Masters. What about this one at your other favourite store.

http://m.supercheapauto.com.au/Produ...140-Amp/295861

[Toxic_Avenger]

Any reason not to buy this one?

https://www.masters.com.au/product/9...welder-100-amp

What a cute little welder!
It would struggle with 3.2mm rods.
You've got buckley's finding a decent range of rods in 2.0mm in a reputable brand.

Inverter machines are much more efficient than the transformer based machines.

As for the circuit breaker, it's got more to do with the conductor size in your walls- as this is what is being protected by the circuit breaker. If you haven't already, seek advice from an electrician, then buy a 15A machine which will do everything you want, and you'll have room to move to a larger machine if / when the time comes.

[Rick1970]

I have a cheapish copper wound (160amp?) transformer arc unit from Gasweld years ago. Works well enough but power is an issue when using 3.2mm and over rods.....throws circuit breaker half way through second rod. Also have a very old Lincoln that a paid $20 for, some settings don't work, but its a very nice welder to use and came with new hand piece and longish very HD leads. Needs 25amp single phase tho.


Have a Fronius inverter at work, nice but $$$$$


A reasonable inverter unit, 130-160amp would be my choice.


......or pressure Toxic for a good deal on a small decent mig

[weeds]

Good rods matter more than the unit...

16TC's......

[weeds]

In the work truck we have three.......well the boys have three to choose from

BOC Smootharc Elite. It's a dear one and is the pick of them......15amp.

Unimig Razor 15 amp about $350, we did have a small warranty request.

Lincoln power craft 10Amp about $300.

All our welder have to have VRD, maybe all welder are fitted with VRD these days.

I can get a price though our supplier if you like......my leading hand reckon either of the bottom two would be good around the house.