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Thread: Which welder?

  1. #1
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    Which welder?

    Hi all,

    I am looking to get a new welder to weld up some rusted sheet metal in my S3. I currently have a 30+ yr old Arc welder which I can use, but its not pretty. I have access to a decent mig welder, but I am looking at a little DC tig/arc welder as I like the control you have with tig, and to be honest if I need the speed of a mig I can either borrow my mates or take longer using tig.

    I am definitely a hobbyist, and am looking to spend less than $500 on a lift or HF start machine (no scratch start). The two I am eyeing off are the Rossi 200A (its $220 on ebay) and the Cigweld 180A for $299. Both use a 15A circuit, which I have in my shed. The Rossi apparently has HF start at 60% duty cycle, while the Cigweld is 40% duty cycle (for tig) and is lift start. I don't have any radios near my shed so the HF start is preferred as its easier to start on dirtier surfaces. But then the Cigweld has a better reputation and I can get it locally instead of off the interwebs.

    Anyway, anyone have any thoughts? Anyone used either of these welders? I think the Rossi comes with more gear, such as the tig torch etc, though I'm not entirely sure, and its probably not the greatest quality, though it will probably serve me just fine.

    Cheers,

    Dan

    PS. I've had a look for second hand welders but there a no decent ones near for under $500. I've also searched the forum for this info but the recent threads I found were for mig or arc.
    FINN - '72 88" S3 - 2.286 petrol - yet to go on it's first adventure
    SOLD - '08 D3 4.0 V6 - 265/65/R17 on X5 rims
    GONE '96 D1 300Tdi - 2" lift, 32" tyres, HD rear axles, lockers :(

  2. #2
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    No aluminium welding?
    Cheers
    Slunnie


    ~ Discovery II Td5 ~ Discovery 3dr V8 ~ Series IIa 6cyl ute ~ Series II V8 ute ~

  3. #3
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    Which welder?

    I just purchased two Power Craft 131......as advised by my boiler makers, 10amp and can burn through 16TC ‘s all day.

    We have more expensive caddy’s and there go to is the power craft as 10amp outlets are easier to find in our plants.

    We get a pretty good price on them.

    Oh we don’t use the TIG function.....

  4. #4
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    Homestar is offline Super Moderator & CA manager Gold Subscriber
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    They may be ok for small amounts of use, but you don't get much in the way of quality for that money, and doubtful they'll be any spares to be had in 12 months time but if ot suits your needs. Toxic may have some advice on these cheaper units.

    I lashed out a couple of years back on a Lincoln multi process unit and it is brilliant. I do use all the functions on it (when I have the gas) and there isn't many weekends it doesn't get rolled out for something, so worth it for me, but I have no dramas with people choosing cheaper items for infrequent use - you should see my woodworking tools... 😁

    My only advice would be if you were buying it for MIG work (which it sounds like you aren't) but if so, go for a unit that takes a full size wire spool and not those little mini reels which are basically useless IMO.
    If you need to contact me please email homestarrunnerau@gmail.com - thanks - Gav.

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    I bought a cigweld 175 after having an old transformer arc and then a mig, i find it great .
    Does most stuff quite easily, no gas , only one dial KISS.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Slunnie View Post
    No aluminium welding?
    I don't plan on it, but apparently you can weld aluminium with DC tig, though not sure how thin. AC is definitely better, but I can't justify an AC/DC unit.

    If it was just thicker material I'd just use the stick welder, but as I'll be welding thin steel section up to 4mm steel my understanding is a tig gives you the most control and least blowouts.

    That said, the bonnet and floors in the S3 have holes cut by the previous owner(s) which I wouldn't mind patching...
    FINN - '72 88" S3 - 2.286 petrol - yet to go on it's first adventure
    SOLD - '08 D3 4.0 V6 - 265/65/R17 on X5 rims
    GONE '96 D1 300Tdi - 2" lift, 32" tyres, HD rear axles, lockers :(

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by fitzy View Post
    I bought a cigweld 175 after having an old transformer arc and then a mig, i find it great .
    Does most stuff quite easily, no gas , only one dial KISS.
    How thin can you weld with it?
    FINN - '72 88" S3 - 2.286 petrol - yet to go on it's first adventure
    SOLD - '08 D3 4.0 V6 - 265/65/R17 on X5 rims
    GONE '96 D1 300Tdi - 2" lift, 32" tyres, HD rear axles, lockers :(

  8. #8
    Homestar's Avatar
    Homestar is offline Super Moderator & CA manager Gold Subscriber
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    Which welder?

    In theory you can weld ali with DC TIG but in reality it’s pretty much impossible. A spool gun on a MIG is a much better option.
    If you need to contact me please email homestarrunnerau@gmail.com - thanks - Gav.

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by Homestar View Post
    They may be ok for small amounts of use, but you don't get much in the way of quality for that money, and doubtful they'll be any spares to be had in 12 months time but if ot suits your needs. Toxic may have some advice on these cheaper units.

    I lashed out a couple of years back on a Lincoln multi process unit and it is brilliant. I do use all the functions on it (when I have the gas) and there isn't many weekends it doesn't get rolled out for something, so worth it for me, but I have no dramas with people choosing cheaper items for infrequent use - you should see my woodworking tools... Which welder?

    My only advice would be if you were buying it for MIG work (which it sounds like you aren't) but if so, go for a unit that takes a full size wire spool and not those little mini reels which are basically useless IMO.
    That's why I was leaning towards the Cigweld unit - the brand has been around longer and I have a better chance of customer support - the Rossi is likely a throw away item if it fails.

    That said, if I get good use out of it, and find good reasons to have a better welder, when they die I can then justify a more expensive setup.

    I'm hoping Mitch drops by with some advice though he probably wouldn't go anywhere near either of these machines.
    FINN - '72 88" S3 - 2.286 petrol - yet to go on it's first adventure
    SOLD - '08 D3 4.0 V6 - 265/65/R17 on X5 rims
    GONE '96 D1 300Tdi - 2" lift, 32" tyres, HD rear axles, lockers :(

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by Homestar View Post
    In theory you can weld ali with DC TIG but in reality it’s pretty much impossible.
    I've seen it done (on the interwebs) with both stick and DC tig on 1/4 inch aluminium - not sure how thin you can go, though I would probably try it on some scrap either way, just to try it for myself.
    FINN - '72 88" S3 - 2.286 petrol - yet to go on it's first adventure
    SOLD - '08 D3 4.0 V6 - 265/65/R17 on X5 rims
    GONE '96 D1 300Tdi - 2" lift, 32" tyres, HD rear axles, lockers :(

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