CWS Best MIG 160i anybody heard any news on this machine?

[chunkolini]

Does anybody have any experience of this budget Mig? http://www.cheltenhamweldingsupplies.co.uk/cws-best-mig-160i-9211-p.asp

It looks like a great starter machine but can I reccomend it to my students?
I might contact the distributor and see if they can send me one to test drive.
it is obviously a generic chinese welder but at that price it is bound to be and comes with a two year warranty.

 

[500e]

Seems a fairly robust machine would like to see the works side
& then weld with it

 

[chunkolini]

I will give the a call tomorrow and see if I can get hold of one.
On Tuesday I am passing by not far from them I will see if I can arrange a test drive.
The wire feed looks fairly solid.

 

[Richiew]

The wire feed rollers look identical to the R Tech 180 mig.

 

[chunkolini]

it does appear to be the same kind of deal, china made tested and inspected in the uk.
I will see what I can do,

 

[Richiew]

Seems quite a sensible choice if it runs OK. It's about as powerful as you can get before you start popping 13 amp fuses on a domestic supply. There's a warranty which covers your back also. A test drive would be good though to see how it welds. I think it would be worth the suppliers while to send you a demo machine in case your students take a liking to it during your courses.

I got rather partial to Miller welders after using them for my city and guilds level 2, however the Dynasty 200DX and Millermatic 383 were stupidly above my price range, never mind the power supply needed for the 383. The CWS might be a reasonable proposition for someone starting out.

 

[chunkolini]

I am off today for a test drive, I have to go to Oxford and this is not far off my way back. I will report back later.

 

[daleyd]

Be interested to know how it goes, there is another thread on here looking for a mig in this price range.

 

[skotl]

I thought the Clarkes were a decent name at this kind of price (not that I've ever used one). The 151te, for example, seems to be exactly the same price and may better known for spares / repair advice, etc? https://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/151te-turbo-mig-welder

Edit: Mind you, the CWS one does have a euro-fitting torch, rather than the hobbytorch wired straight into the Clarke...

 

[chunkolini]

I did a road test yesterday.
Most impressed.
I have some bits of metal I welded but cant be bothered to go down to the Ratcave to get them and take photos.
Fairly easy to set up, welds nice and stably, not much spatter when welding and gives very even beads of weld.
A knob rather then two buttons to juggle for power will be easier for a novice, I would prefer indents to index the knob but a sure that could be got used to very quickly. I am sure that being able to fine tweak power would come in useful.
Euro torch which is nice. The torch seems fine but the way I use my welder I would cook the torch (I did on mine) but euro torch is easy to replace.
The feed mechanism looked robust.
I tried various sizes of material from welding three mm gas welding rods, to 8mm bar, 1.6mm sheet, 3mm strip and 5mm strip. It managed all of those on one mid setting.
This is important to me as I run classses where I have total beginners making sculptures and if I am constantly resetting the machine they get flustered.
I also did a four inch butt weld in 1.2mm sheet just tacked at the ends took it in one run easily and it can be turned down a lot lower.
It even comes with a half decent regulator with a gauge for bottle pressure and a peashooter for flow.

My only concern is that it seem slightly reluctant to strike an arc compared to my old Butters Mig. With mine I can just lie two small components on the bench and it usually arcs up instantly without poking them about. The one I tested takes a raction of a second to start an arc. Something you could get used to very quickly.

I would say this looks like an ideal budget starter welder. Then look at the price.

 

[skotl]

Sounds good, Chunko, and it sounds like you approached the "review" from the correct perspective, as a newbie would look at the machine.

Certainly seems a decent option for your students!

 

[Zbro7863]

I did a road test yesterday.
Most impressed.
I have some bits of metal I welded but cant be bothered to go down to the Ratcave to get them and take photos.
Fairly easy to set up, welds nice and stably, not much spatter when welding and gives very even beads of weld.
A knob rather then two buttons to juggle for power will be easier for a novice, I would prefer indents to index the knob but a sure that could be got used to very quickly. I am sure that being able to fine tweak power would come in useful.
Euro torch which is nice. The torch seems fine but the way I use my welder I would cook the torch (I did on mine) but euro torch is easy to replace.
The feed mechanism looked robust.
I tried various sizes of material from welding three mm gas welding rods, to 8mm bar, 1.6mm sheet, 3mm strip and 5mm strip. It managed all of those on one mid setting.
This is important to me as I run classses where I have total beginners making sculptures and if I am constantly resetting the machine they get flustered.
I also did a four inch butt weld in 1.2mm sheet just tacked at the ends took it in one run easily and it can be turned down a lot lower.
It even comes with a half decent regulator with a gauge for bottle pressure and a peashooter for flow.

My only concern is that it seem slightly reluctant to strike an arc compared to my old Butters Mig. With mine I can just lie two small components on the bench and it usually arcs up instantly without poking them about. The one I tested takes a raction of a second to start an arc. Something you could get used to very quickly.

I would say this looks like an ideal budget starter welder. Then look at the price.

Where did you find this link

 

[chunkolini]

On the internet where else?

 

[skotl]

Hmmmm... I'm suspecting that zbro either works for CWS or for their importer. He seems to have a bit of a one-track-mind when it comes to post topics.

 

[chunkolini]

Interesting surmission.
Dont think so but can see where you are coming from.

 

[Richard.]

He's buying a giant 130 based on its 60% duty cycle.
I don't think he works for any welding company

 

[Zbro7863]

Hmmmm... I'm suspecting that zbro either works for CWS or for their importer. He seems to have a bit of a one-track-mind when it comes to post topics.

How can I work for cws I'm only 17

 

[Zbro7863]

He's buying a giant 130 based on its 60% duty cycle.
I don't think he works for any welding company

I don't work for anyone

 

[Richard.]

Hmmmm... I'm suspecting that zbro either works for CWS or for their importer. He seems to have a bit of a one-track-mind when it comes to post topics.

I like this fella, he has liked your post even though he totally disagrees with it. Very unusual to say the least

 

[octo0072000]

Oh dark one what about this giving a bit back to the forum and not much dearer

http://www.weldequip.com/gys-smartmig-162.htm