CIGWELD Machines

oldstoat · Oct 9, 2006

In Australia I don't see most of the machines that are reviewed on the forum (UK). I have a Cigweld Transmig 135 - is this machine only available in Australia or has anyone else any experience with it? I bought it from a DIY warehouse so would normally expect "Chinese re-brand" but the machine does seem to be good quality and the wire feed is immediate and smooth.

Photos attached - it seems to have the two transformer setup.

PS: The operator is absolutely cr*p but I live in the hope that he'll improve with age.

lexi · Oct 9, 2006

Looks nice. Twin turbo?.......You big smoothie you!
Alex

weldequip · Oct 10, 2006

oldstoat said:
In Australia I don't see most of the machines that are reviewed on the forum (UK). I have a Cigweld Transmig 135 - is this machine only available in Australia or has anyone else any experience with it? I bought it from a DIY warehouse so would normally expect "Chinese re-brand" but the machine does seem to be good quality and the wire feed is immediate and smooth.

Photos attached - it seems to have the two transformer setup.

PS: The operator is absolutely cr*p but I live in the hope that he'll improve with age.

The internals look VERY similar to the Clarke brand in the UK & the Wire Drive is DEFINATELY from a Clarke, so they are probably made in the same factory in Italy (you may be pleased to know & NOT China!).
weldequip

oldstoat · Oct 10, 2006

Since you boys are always extolling the virtues of Clarke I assume that I didn't waste my money.

weldequip · Oct 10, 2006

Nope. Best of the bunch.

Murray61 · Jul 29, 2007

weldequip said:
Nope. Best of the bunch.

For me it has come down to a choice between Cigweld Transmig 165 (very similar to above) and Lincoln 170 for almost exactly the same money here in NZ. Is it a coin toss, or is one clearly better? Hoping for input before I hand over $1300...

shenion · Jul 29, 2007

weldequip said:
The internals look VERY similar to the Clarke brand in the UK & the Wire Drive is DEFINATELY from a Clarke, so they are probably made in the same factory in Italy (you may be pleased to know & NOT China!).
weldequip

Inside, that is identical to my 130EN except it has no gas line and has 2 switches instead of a 4-position rotary switch.

Should be a good unit.

snowcat · Jul 29, 2007

Cigweld parts are used on the thermal arc machines,.

malcolm · Jul 29, 2007

Murray61 said:
For me it has come down to a choice between Cigweld Transmig 165 (very similar to above) and Lincoln 170 for almost exactly the same money here in NZ. Is it a coin toss, or is one clearly better? Hoping for input before I hand over $1300...

The Lincolns would be better than a Clarke type machine would they not? Just normally they are more expensive so don't tend to be considered together.

snowcat · Jul 29, 2007

Yes Id agree malcom had a compact 250 once and was a robust little machine, An old design but reliable, mine had 3 years waranty on it as well, I think the guy I sold it to has had no problems.

Murray61 · Jul 29, 2007

Thanks everybody - going by advice on another thread, weight should be(?) a good guide to quality, but the Cig is 33kg and the Lincoln 25.9kg - a substantial difference for machines of similar physical dimensions. I have heard that some cunning linguists quote the 'shipping' weight - including torch, regulator, sample wire roll and packaging! A Migomag Supamig 200C http://www.migomag.com.au/ is 48kg and has copper windings (also about $350 more), - but a little over the limit of what I would call portable. Arnie I ain't.

shenion · Jul 29, 2007

I would probably go with the Lincoln, the few I have seen were well made. I have a big one here I need to referb and sell. It is a real nice unit, 325A rated (400A max). Just don't have 3-phase to run it. Funny, it is worth more in the HUGE amount of copper in it than I paid for it.

Shpping weight may be misleading. I think even the Clarke has copper windings. transformers can be made smaller by using a better steel alloy (higher saturation).

I just noticed a difference in the Cig pict above from my Clarke. I do not see a contactor anywhere.

ABWeld · Dec 9, 2015

First post, the Lincolns we see in Aus are Chinese, the Transmig 135 looks to have a better wire drive than all plastic version found in CIG Weldskill 135 on sale now, in fact is same as Ozito, a Chinese hardware supermarket toy which I handed back to them, wire feed jerky from new.

CIGWELD Machines

oldstoat

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lexi

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weldequip

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oldstoat

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weldequip

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Murray61

Student for life

shenion

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snowcat

back in black

malcolm

& Clementine the Cat

snowcat

back in black

Murray61

Student for life

shenion

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ABWeld

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