Airtuff 200

[CyberMan]

I want to buy a gas mig to weld up to 5mm steel plate. Do you think this welder would be adequate? Its cheaper than the others off similar specs but I'm not sure if the specs are accurate.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI...m=260214670062&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=016

Thank you

 

[Hitch]

200a is normally pretty good for 5mm, even upto 8 with a good technique.

 

[Wozzaaah]

It's called a 200 but it's 180A max. The duty cycle is pretty poor too, you'll be forever waiting for it to cool down as you 'll be using it right on it's limit on 5mm plate. If you're welding a lot of 5mm, you really should be looking for something around 250A to get a decent duty cycle. (I speak fom experience on that one)

 

[Hitch]

I seemed to have overlooked that 180a bit.

 

[Wozzaaah]

It annoys the hell out of me when manufacturers do that Hitch, most people looking for a hobby mig would automatically assume its 200A. I've seen those somewhere before under a diferent name.

 

[TassieDave]

I have just been through the "searching eBay" for a mig welder info and ended up buying Australian made. Picked up a WIA Weldmatic 175 and their web site http://www.welding.com.au/products-listing.asp?iCategoryID=63 says is good for up to 8mm fillet welds. 175 amps at 15% duty cycle, was $1600 and the package I bought came with a bonus Miller helmet. Waiting for the helmet as they were out of stock.

The other that I was looking at was the UniMig Porto Mig 200 but the web site has nothing apart from a product guide. Both I could buy locally and the UniMig was about $300 cheaper and I still had to buy a helmet. The UniMig brochure says Welding current 30 - 210amps, duty cycle 35% at 160 and SB25 Euro connect torch.

I went to a couple of local shops and grabbed the catalogues off the shelves. The UniMig was in one for 1190 but on the shelf it was closer to 1600. Then it came out in another for 1190 that also had a couple of Weldmatic migs listed.

Just remember that you get what you pay for - the one on eBay is most likely Chinese. And I may be a novice but from what others have said, it scared me off them.

 

[CyberMan]

Thank you for the replies people. The welding I am doing is mostly 3mm plate with some 5mm plate but its all small fiddly pieces so I don't think the duty cycle will be a major problem. The main thing I am worried about is if something breaks on it how easy will it be to get spare parts?

Also another question, is it possible to get a 200amp mig that plugs in a 10amp socket? Otherwise I have to get an electrician out to put in a 15amp socket.

 

[shenion]

A 180A transformer MIG is usually about 21 amps.

An inverter might get away with 16A.

I'd look at getting at least 20A socket installed.