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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    West Coast, Australia
    Posts
    5

    Default Cigweld 175i or Lincoln 180c ??

    Hi guys, I'm trying to decide between these two machines. There's $5 between them price wise.

    It will be my first welder so I'm not really sure what I'm comparing here. The duty cycle on the 175i looks better than the 180c.

    Anyone have anything to say about these two?

    I also have the option of buying a brand new unused Lincoln SP170. Its a strange situation, the owner bought it 4 years ago, hasn't used it, now looking to sell. He's asking $700 and is sticking firm.

    Thanks in advance,

    nick

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    South Brisbane QLD
    Age
    63
    Posts
    53

    Default

    I don't know anything about the Cigweld machine, Nick, but they have a good reputation. I had one of the Lincoln 180C's and it's all is says it is. No problems there. I sold it to buy a Kemppi, but didn't have any problems with it. The 180c is a bit bigger than the 170i (which I had before), and this may not apply to you but as you get older EVERY time you look to doing a job you worry about the weight of moving the welder into position and so on. I've never seen the point of buying a portable MIG and then spending more for a trolley, but that's just me. The big advantage of these machines is that you can carry them to the job, and either use gas-less wire or run a long hose to the gas. With these little welders you can position them around the job so that you keep the wire feed lines straight so that the wire isn't fighting curves. To my perhaps strange way of thinking, if you have your MIG on a trolley you might as well have a bigger three phase machine.

    So if it comes down to a 50/50 choice maybe go on the weight. Your friend's 170i is a bit overpriced, He might get between $500 or $600, but it's not easy with the new model out.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    West Coast, Australia
    Posts
    5

    Default

    Thanks drsed,

    Weight is a good criteria to at I hadn't thought of that the cigweld wins hands down in that case, I think the the power pack only weighs 15kg compared to the 30kg of the 180c....that definitely worth thinking about.

    Thanks!

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Mackay North Qld
    Posts
    6,446

    Default

    FYI


    There have been a few 175 I s failing according to my sources at the local welding distributors.

    I was there when there was a returned unit on the counter. I made the comment about how good the kids at school thought the 130 I (10 amp model) and was told about the following.

    The units have failed in the circuit boards which are not repairable.Those still in warranty were replaced.

    They say the next batch will be better.

    Grahame

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    West Coast, Australia
    Posts
    5

    Default

    Wow thats a bit scary, how long till the next batch will be out do you think? how could one tell which batch they were purchasing?

    Thanks Grahame

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    Melbourne
    Age
    59
    Posts
    95

    Default

    Hi , the CIG 175i is a good looking unit with good features. The only thing is that they are a chinese made and rebranded for or by CIG. I dont know who the original manufacturer is and this is not to say that the welder is rubbish as CIG are selling them under their own brand name. CIG must have some confidence in the welder other wise they would not buy them in the beginning. Hopefully they will sort out the problem they have with them. The lincoln has been a good performer but the 180c lincoln is the model that i would be looking at. Keep in mind that CIG carry a 3 year trade warranty on this machine and probally on all of their welders and the CIG 175i does perform well as i have seen it in action.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    West Coast, Australia
    Posts
    5

    Default

    Thanks Dobre,

    I was talking to a guy at a welding shop in WA a few days ago, he was trying to sell me a WIA so I'm not too sure on how reliable this info is. But, have you or anyone heard about problems using the 175i with gasless wire? He was telling me that they had seen them demo'ing the 175i at a farm show using gas. They thought this was a bit sus because farmers would most likely run gasless. He said they had troubles with the wire feeder when using gasless wire. Has anyone had this problem?

    I must admit I am kind of leaning towards to 175i purely because of the weight, I picked one up the other day and it is really light at less than 15kg. I also like the option of stick welding with it should the need arise.

    Are CIG making all there stuff in China now? Or just this model? I heard the Lincoln is made in Mexico, I dont' know which is better.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    Melbourne
    Age
    59
    Posts
    95

    Default

    Gidday Nick, The CIG 175i is made in China by a chinese company as there own brand. I think that it is a generic brand of welder and they will put any ones name on it. This is not to say that the machine is not any good and that cig wont support it. It may have teething issues with it and hopefully they will get sorted out. I will stand corrected but i dont believe that this machine is a cig machine made in a cig factory which is in China. Competition is tuff in this entry level of mig welders and price is the bait and thats where we all feel the pinch. They look good and feel light (with out the wire spool ) with good options on it. The WIA is a good brand but less options on their machine but should go the distance for you. I think the wia is still made in Adelaide, SA and what I do like about both machines is that they both have euro fit mig guns. This is a hard decision to make and let us know how you go.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Canberra
    Posts
    1,322

    Default

    Didn't someone mention here (in another thread) that WIA's new (and cheaper) line of machines are now made in China?

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    West Coast, Australia
    Posts
    5

    Default

    I think read that somewhere too RustyArc, not sure where though.

    I like the lure of the euro guns with the longer cables. I just wonder if I would ever use the extra features like stick and TIG. This will be my first welder so I don't really know what I need...But I suppose the best way to find out what works is to get one and then start using it, I'll soon work it out.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Seaford
    Posts
    42

    Default

    Hey Nick


    Did you say you could get your hands on a SP170??? I think this is a better machine than its predecessor 180. Has more grunt i believe and a long standing good response from the field. WIA machines are now made in china (hence the drop in price!!) but look pretty good so far and from all reports have been performing well. The 190 is a well priced machine but really is a workshop machine. They say its portable but 30 odd kgs machine doesnt sound very portable to me . The 175i i have used and was not greatly impressed with. Its not bad but maybe a little bit too clunky in the controls for my liking but for most handyman jobs is more than sufficent and has plenty of grunt. The one addition to my arsenal i have been looking at it the kemppi 170 or 180. Have used these machines many times and the are nothing short of awesome although the gun for it is kind of crappy. For me i do alot of "love jobs" for mates and the mig i have at the moment (200c migomag.....mmm...) is just too heavy to move around. If someone asks me to weld something at their place i say no problems, come a get the welder and me load it into your car, i'll weld up what ever you want and you can drop me off and put my welder back in the shed ... painful. I have an ac/dc pulse that i will use if i can just so i dont have to move the bastard....

    If you need any further info on any machines let me know....more than happy to help and have plenty of people in the know.

    Cheers Rappy

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Brisbane Australia
    Posts
    30

    Default

    Nick

    I run a Lincoln 180c and am very happy with it.

    It cannot be used for TIG welding. If you buy the spool gun you can use it for aluminium.

    Mav

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    perth
    Posts
    19

    Default 180c

    i owned a 180c and found it to be very nice i sold it to upgrade to 250c the 180 run alot smoother than the 250 i bought a kemmpi miniarc180 last week and have done 3 rolls of wire so i rate it okso far but having said that i hate mig i ony use it when i have to for work speed i much prefer stick no splatter and a nice bead

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Brisbane
    Age
    52
    Posts
    49

    Default

    Well I still love my 180C It cant do no wrong no doubt you have read my thread link mate of mine used it to weld up a seat bracket for his bike (broke after a crash) two weeks ago no experience and got the job done in 5mins he wants one as well got myself a case of beer out of it lol.

    So I would say you cant go wrong with the 180c I haven't tried the others so I am biased I suppose .
    I like to move it move it, I like to move it
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