Thread: BOC Smootharc MIG welders

I've been using a Liquidarc 170i for years on all kinds of stuff. Its settings are versatile, very reliable. I've been using it gasless, but it comes with all the stuff you need to use with gas if needed. Basically needed something that I could plug in most places. I also used the Lincoln equivalent when I lived in the US for about 10 years with no issues. If you are working in tight corners that are hard to clean, use a bit of anti-spatter spray.

Originally Posted by steveG

There's LOTS of different issues with my current, and they all relate to the $175 delivered price I paid for it. Yes - I'm doing the polarity change, and using correct rollers etc.
Its done the main job I bought it for, and that was to make up a couple of sets of D1 sliders/steps for myself and a mate, but its time to move on.
At higher wirespeed settings the wire doesn't stop feeding instantly - like its going too fast to stop, and you end up with about 2cm of wire hanging out. PITA having to trim it before each new weld. At higher feeds its also super sensitive between too slow and too fast - impossible to adjust with gloves on. Its a 4 setting 1/2/LO/HI switch arrangement, and really only the middle 2 are usable.
A decent MIG is a pleasure to use, and my current one just isn't.

The CIG 175i that was mentioned earlier looks like a nice machine and has good reviews elsewhere. My local welding shop has some of the last Australian made WIA's (175A I think) that they found in the back of their warehouse somewhere (brand new but in dusty boxes). The list price on them is around the $1500 mark but they are working out what they will let them go for so might be an option.
Also had a look at a 200A Unimig inverter unit for around the $1100 mark. Metal wire feed body and looked very solid.

Thanks to Hot Rover for the reminder about needing a 32A supply for the larger units. I currently only have 15A.

Sooo many choices, but think I'm slowly narrowing it down.

Steve

Without knowing much about the CIG and Lincon current stuff, and if 175amp is enough for you, I would seriously consider the Aussie WIA. JMO

I am not sure about the new WIA but I have one that is 15 years old never had a problem. I weld with both gas and gasless. Gasless mainly on gal never had a problem cleaning up the welds. I would check if the new WIA come with a circuit board that has replaceble diodes. Mine came with a electrical circuit diagrahm showing all the diodes. These are available from Dick Smiths and the like. If you buy a BOC and have a problem you will be buying the whole circuit board $$$$. The WIA on full current also S--t all over the CIG.
Mark

Checkout the magMATE pro range. I think they are available through most BOC agents. I used a 200 ( the middle model ) to make benches and set up a workshop. It is an induction type, and did not falter. You have infinite wire and current control, and they use industrial fittings. Did not let us down in 5 years of workshop use, and is still going strong.

I bought a CIG Transmig 195 about twenty years ago. At the time it was the biggest you could get for 240 volts. It has performed flawlessly. I use 0.9 & 1.2 steel wire and 1.0 aluminium wire in a 1.2 conduit and tip. I don't do enough aluminium to warrant the expense of buying a bigger modern welder. My old one is a bit light on power for aluminium but gets there.

I have 4 big grunters from my days building alu small ships,ocean yachts, big trailer boats
I bought my Hobart megaflex 450,mig/tig/stick dc and miller deltaweld from NZ when i came here, i have no 3phase here so bought a lincoln 400 genset/welder and a cig 400sp twin pulse, being fed up with running the welders from the genset, i bought smootharc 275, tried it on alu, hopeless, tried it on gasless, poor, today bought gas mix and 1.2 bronze coated steel wire, SMAW rods are a stupid price and 20 percent gets wasted in slag and unburned stubs
i dunno tomorrow the gas will arrive via SUPAGAS they deliver, but i have no great hopes, may hafta use the 400sp on single pulse, steel is 10,12,16 250 and 350 plate and universal columns @30kg/m
i am building new plate forming hydraulic machine
i run a miller alumapro gun 8m on the miller, it's for alu only,brilliant gun, heavy, going to sell it with the feedfer and power pack, 450amps tranny machine lays in huge amount of wire a day, faster than pulse

Had to read it 3 times to try and work out the question / point... but I'll answer what I think you're asking:
The 275 was discontinued over 5 years ago and it was a very entry level machine for the purposes of aluminium welding. There are much better modern units out there, IF that's what your welding goal is.
IIRC there were 2 wire speed rates on that machine, and to run gasless that should be selected to get a higher feed rate on the rollers. Plus knurled rollers, plus if your wire requires it, run it in DCEN - which is a bit of a faff to ass-about the interconnecting cable between power source and remote wire feed.

Plenty of people I know run it well on 1.2 solid. Including a guy doing structural steel stuff with material similar to what you are using (he also has the 350A models too).

Looks like you've got some top level old gear there in the other units.
Enough on welders, how about some pics of the plate forming machine.

Wow ... talk about a thread resurrection .... I thought it was bizarre poeple talking about paying gas bottle rental these days