Thread: Cheap welder $39

I have had one of the Aldi ones that was a similar unit. Duty cycle was too short to do much with it. The bloke I gave it away to put decent leads and clamps on it and it does what he wants. If you keep your eyes out transformer based welders can be had for a similar price second hand and they will outperform and outlast one of those by many years.

Regards,
Tote

"Buy cheap buy twice" springs to mind, but at that money I'd give it a go just for ****s and giggles!!

I'd be looking for something like this :
Welder ARC in Natimuk, VIC | eBay

Regards,
Tote

At that price, if you have nothing else I'd give it a crack. Having the ability to stick stuff together at home is not to be underestimated
If it wont weld a couple of offcuts of 3mm together then return it as not fit for purpose. If it does then it will pay for itself the first time you have to stick that broken alternator bracket back together on a Sunday.

If you use it enough that duty cycle annoys you then you need something better and you've earned an upgrade.

Steve

In suspect it is a transformer equipped unit, the big knob at the front moves the wiper along the windings. All the inverter welders I have seen have switches.

As such the duty cycle is probably OK, I suspect the leads will get pretty hot if you use it at 140A for very long though.

It seems very cheap, the same unit badged as an Ozito is $98 at Bunnings.

I say go for it at that price.

Thanks Guys,
Will pick one up then if they have stock at the local branch.
Cheers
Mark

If it is a transformer type it will have a aluminium wound transformer not a copper wound transformer. Copper is about 80% more efficient, but more expensive. If it does not have a thermal over load protection you may over heat the welder. Certainly would only use 2.5mm rods and no more than a 100 amps. Duty cycle will be short too most likely 25% or less which will be very short time of welding and plenty of beer time. also along time ago started with a cheapie and very soon moved up to a better unit.
Cheers Hall

A lot of problems with these cheap welders is the quality of the earth clamp. When it heats up it loosens off. A g clamp on my earth clamp makes a big difference to duty cycle.