Mr Vapour Posted August 5, 2016 Share Posted August 5, 2016 Hi guys . Yes I know another welder thread, but I want to look at what is the best size for the regular kiwi shed. I currently have a repco 150a welder, but every one I have spoken to says it will not he capable of doing the rust work I.need to do. Good for welding trailers not panel steel. I'm looking at the weld Tech welders. Have looked around and spoken to people and these are looking like my best bang for buck. They are both inverter that are able to be used as tig and arc and of course mig. The 160 is $500+ and I have got a deal on the 200a for $800+ What reasons can be named for going for the bigger welder. Advantages I can see Industrial Euro spec torch and lead in this example Duty cycle means less delays when welding big jobs. Ability to weld heavy (but I don't see when I will need this) What am o going to use it for. Restoration work on the bmw. Welding mounting points on the subframe. Panel steel , building my sand blaster. . Making a set of gates for the house. Who knows what else in the future. What is best size for the average kiwis man cave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickrock Posted August 5, 2016 Share Posted August 5, 2016 For panel steel I think 160 is ample more important is the ability to set the amps in fine increments I have a old bôc 185 , coincidentally the same welded at a panel shop where I help out part time .it has 5 course amp settings and 5 fine and generally used on 3 c 2 f . For spot and lap joins 2c3f for jap steel butt weld I have welded up 12 mm plate ( v join ) on many occasions Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shizzl Posted August 5, 2016 Share Posted August 5, 2016 A 150A is plenty for panel work.. people just need to learn how to use the gear correctly... I did a gearbox tunnel in an escort with a 80A arc welder.. built a stockcar with a Ryobi 100A mig with flux core.. panel steel is spot welded unless you like warped panels.. just my 2c 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bling Posted August 5, 2016 Share Posted August 5, 2016 Unless they are talking about that specific welder not being any good, I'd say they are wrong. 150A will smoke most home stuff no worries. The problem with panel steel is often cheaper welds can be a bit unstable at their lowest settings. Might just take some fart around to get the settings right. What sort of settings does it have? I have welded (just to try it) 0.5mm sheet with my 180A welder no worries. Most of the time the sheet I have welded has been closer to 1mm, which gives more leeway on not quite having the settings bang on. I've been nowhere near the top end of my welder, and have welded reinforcing rod into a frame, which was 16mm or so diameter. In all fairness, I just turned the settings all up quite high, and hoped for the best. The top rating is only part of the equation though, minimum amps is more important for panel stuff. Really need more deets on all three welders mentioned. If you plan to weld 10mm sheet to things, then you're talking higher amps, but for most garage stuff, you won't get near the max setting IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickrock Posted August 5, 2016 Share Posted August 5, 2016 For panel steel I think 160 is ample more important is the ability to set the amps in fine increments I have a old bôc 185 , coincidentally the same welded at a panel shop where I help out part time .it has 5 course amp settings and 5 fine and generally used on 3 c 2 f . For spot and lap joins 2c3f for jap steel butt welds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danger Posted August 5, 2016 Share Posted August 5, 2016 What gas are you planning on using? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danger Posted August 5, 2016 Share Posted August 5, 2016 I've got one of these http://www.onlinetools.co.nz/products/weldtech-xm180-pro-inverter-mig-welder-230v-180-amps Its an absolute cunt on CO2 and .8mm wire. Sure it has the power to run a bead on heavy stuff but spits sparks like a motherfucker. Had the rep out to test it after I complained and he couldn't understand why either. Runs beautifully on Argoshield though... I've got one of these too Its done my panel steel work with CO2 and .6mm wire for years with no probs and its only 130a. Wouldn't bother doing anything over 2.5-3mm with it 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Vapour Posted August 5, 2016 Author Share Posted August 5, 2016 I have a f bottle of Argo shield. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Vapour Posted August 5, 2016 Author Share Posted August 5, 2016 Danger That weld tech is discontinued now replaced with the 200a a have above. It's replacing a mechpro 150a it's got wire feed and 4 power settings. But it's also pissing me off. It's missing a couple of bits and I'm over messing with it. I want something decent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danger Posted August 5, 2016 Share Posted August 5, 2016 Wonder why they discontinued it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Vapour Posted August 5, 2016 Author Share Posted August 5, 2016 ?? It's not on their web page any more and suppliers that stock the weld Tech don't list that one. Have seen good reviews about that welder and was on the look for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muncie Posted August 5, 2016 Share Posted August 5, 2016 Go for the one thats the most serviceable a torch thats replacable consumables you can optain easily. My welder is a 180 amp it blazez 4mm steel non stop for a good 30 minutes before the "im spent" light comes on. if your not building trailers with steel decks the smaller one will likely be easier to live with providing its controls arent to basic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bathcollector Posted August 5, 2016 Share Posted August 5, 2016 I've got one of these http://www.onlinetools.co.nz/products/weldtech-xm180-pro-inverter-mig-welder-230v-180-amps Its an absolute cunt on CO2 and .8mm wire. Sure it has the power to run a bead on heavy stuff but spits sparks like a motherfucker. Had the rep out to test it after I complained and he couldn't understand why either. Runs beautifully on Argoshield though... I've got one of these too Its done my panel steel work with CO2 and .6mm wire for years with no probs and its only 130a. Wouldn't bother doing anything over 2.5-3mm with it I have a 130 twin too. Been a good little machine on panel steel with .6 wire and Argoshield. They can weld some pretty hefty steel together if you know what you are doing. The biggest trouble with a bigger machine aside from getting amperage down low enough for panel work can be torch size getting into tight places. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danger Posted August 5, 2016 Share Posted August 5, 2016 I hate modern torches that are off/on for really delicate shit too. Its nice to have one like that 130 where the torch goes off-gas-on so you can cool your welds a bit more Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cletus Posted August 5, 2016 Share Posted August 5, 2016 i have a lincoln 170 that ive had for 10 years, its been great, have never needed anything bigger for general automotive work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Vapour Posted August 6, 2016 Author Share Posted August 6, 2016 Well I went and pulled the trigger on a boc 175 multi function. http://www.boc.co.nz/shop/en/nz/boc-smootharc-multiprocess-175-welder Liam (ae86 fiend) helped me out. was on sale so got it at a comparable price to what I had been looking at. I need a 15A plug in the shed. Spoke to the Neal and he has schooled me on what I need. Sweet. Am happy to get something quality in the shed.. First job will be to fix my wheel barrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xsspeed Posted August 6, 2016 Share Posted August 6, 2016 I have the same cigweld transmig 130 as dane. Goes ok, only 4 settings plus wire feed speed but you find what works. Id be keen one something thats got more functions/range but for now im happy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Vapour Posted August 6, 2016 Author Share Posted August 6, 2016 I have the same cigweld transmig 130 as dane. Goes ok, only 4 settings plus wire feed speed but you find what works. Id be keen one something thats got more functions/range but for now im happy You could come have a play on mine if you want to. I'm only just up the road from you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xsspeed Posted August 6, 2016 Share Posted August 6, 2016 You in monjeer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Vapour Posted August 6, 2016 Author Share Posted August 6, 2016 Just of portage road in papatoetoe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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