Thread: Sub $400 Welders

Anyone able to recommend a sub $400 Arc welder that I could build a trailer with.
I need a trailer and would rather build because I can get exactly what I want for about half the cost of buying.
I was hoping to do the build at work but that looks unlikely, I recon I can talk the minister for finance in to letting me buy a welder if I can keep it below about $400.
Another issue is portability, I don't have a shed and have to carry my tools upstairs to store in the spare room.
Cheers

Hi

We have this arc welder , it has been independantly reviewed. We have a vested interest so I will leave it at that. Price includes GST and delivery.

Regards
Pete

In addition to that TokenTools machine, the BOC Smootharc 130 is a pretty popular unit, weighs bugger-all and is around the $350 mark. There's also a similar CIG unit which comes with a nice case last time I looked, but have no experience with it (I have the aformentioned BOC unit and it's been brilliant).

We have a 10 amp Cigweld 130I at school, the kids love it and some want to buy one for them selves.

The down side is that if it goes on the fritz- walk to the bin -throw it in.

They are not able to be repaired - saw a couple at Global welding supplies - Mackay and was told this.

On the other hand I believe Token tools have their own in house house repair - He is an electrical type fella and designed them himself for manufacture in China but had the good bits installed.

He has a a good name around here for a good while and well may be worth checking out.

He is well worth the effort of contacting as he is very helpful and answers inquiries promptly.

Grahame

Hei Grahame,
I like the look of the TIG160P and since ali welding is something I have always wanted to do, the extra functionalty would be a bonus.

Tax time is fast approaching so I may need to stock up on flowers and choccies for the minister of finance.
Cheers

Gday
You need AC for welding aluminium this is a dc only machine TIG160P
thanks caveman

Okay, so I guess the Tig function is only for metal welding.

The bit you won't like is the cost of the entry level AC/DC unit is .

For the Token Tools Alu pulse 200 AC/Dc Tig is $1400.

Yes its a pulse machine - spot on for aluminium work and that price is excellent given he is using the IGBT chips which is what we know to be the good stuff.

Grahame

Originally Posted by smidsy

Okay, so I guess the Tig function is only for metal welding.

Hi Smidsy ,

DC Tig is for all metals except aluminium, AC is for aluminium. You need the AC in order to remove the oxide layer from ally without overheating the tungsten. If you simply reverse polarity on a DC Tig, despite removing oxide you will also bias the heat to the tungsten and vaporise it.

Hi Grahame ,

Thanks for your support and kind words.

Regards
Pete

The Cigweld 170 is a good reliable machine for the price. I would not go for the 170HF as we I have a had a few returned because the High frequency module has failed.