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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
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    Norwood-ish, Adelaide
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    59
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    Default Weldskill 130 - the world is full of surprises

    Some weeks ago I bought a CIGweld Weldskill 130 unit to use as a power supply (//metalworkforums.com/f160/t155...32#post1523332) but today I decided that as I needed to a small amount of stick welding I'd try it out (still haven't used it for the envisaged purpose ). As you can see the controls are very basic -
    s-l1600.jpg
    but dialed to around 80A, it welded very nicely (DCEP) with a WIA 12P electrode on some 5mm steel. Duty cycle at 75A is quoted at 60% - so quite adequate for stick for a small job. Max amps are 130 (20% duty cycle) but this unit runs off a 10A supply and only weighs 5.5kg, so very portable (the next size up is 170A but needs a 15A plug). When I consider the old transformer welders I started on (both weight and size) I am amazed as to what it does for such a small size (280x120x220mm).

    The only question I have about these for someone knowledgeable about them is if I was welding up a frame or something similar, is it acceptable to rest the unit on the item being welded, or should it be away from the job?

    Michael

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Mackay North Qld
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    6,446

    Default

    Hi Michael
    It should not do any damage as long as you don't put it down on a hot weld. You could place an off cut of plywood sheet under it if you are worried.

    If I remember the kids at school were given one of these little units. Great for frame jobs and shelving and associated light stuff.

    A rolling stand would suit it well as older folk like me don't like to work off ground level ie bending down to reset amps .

    I was skeptical at the time but the machines seem to punch well above their weight.The kids never managed to break it so in your hands it will be ok.

    As you mentioned the duty cycle is low so count on a few rest breaks.

    Because they are so cheap there is no repair only replacement for warranty.After warranty - bin job.

    Does this help?
    Grahame

  3. #3
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    Oct 2011
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    Default

    Thanks Graham
    It was not the heat that I was concerned about but more standing it on a piece of metal that would be at the same potential as the earth side of the welding circuit. I probably would not do that anyway but was just wondering. I'm probably more likely to hang it by it's strap if I was making up a large frame or something.
    The unit I have was built in 2007 so is 10 years old but looks in good condition, so I hope it will last a while. I suspect that like me the previous owner had it for occasional jobs where it was more practical to take a power supply to the job rather than the other way around. In theory my main welding supply is an inverter so 'portable' but I would not want to try doing work half way up a ladder with it...

    Michael

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Mackay North Qld
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    Default

    I never saw one of that model that broke down but when I asked the electrical shop electricians that was they answer they gave me.

    They school one I used always had a quality feel about it,so I am not surprised about the longevity of your machine.

    It looks like it was looked after.

    The only concern I would have is ingress of metallic dust that might track across the circuit boards.Maybe they are epoxy dipped like the Fronios units are?

    When I ran the TAFE post trade evening pressure vessel TIG certs ,the tradesmen from the sugar mills had Fronios inverters of the same rough dimension.

    They would carry them in over their shoulder and either put them on the bench of hang them off a hook on the wall.

    Grahame

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
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    Adelaide
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    Default

    I have a Fronius TP 1400 which is the same size as your welder, I made a wooden shoe for it out of marine ply as a precaution and that works well.
    These inverters are certainly a revelation after decades of using a buzz-box arc welder!

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    Oz
    Age
    73
    Posts
    459

    Default

    I have the 170 amp model, it replaced my old SIP Turbo 170. It resides under my welding bench covered by a pillow slip (whenever I remember) to protect it from dust and metal ingress. The Tig gas gauge that came with it still sits in it's cardboard box, never been used. I don't do a lot of big jobs anymore so use mostly 2/2.5mm rods. I did use it with some damp 3.2s the other week and it ran them fine. I still can't get over how small and light the DCs are compared to the old AC welders.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Canberra
    Posts
    1,322

    Default

    I've got a little BOC 130A unit that's a similar size, but doesn't have the TIG switch, which I assume turns it into a more strict constant-current supply for TIG (i.e. no "hot start" or "arc force" behaviour). It has a 10A plug too, making it very versatile.

    That said, I'm not sure 80A and 5mm steel are often found in the same sentence

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Location
    Wodonga Vic
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    38
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    633

    Default

    Ahh, somebody else who uses their welder for everything but welding, they make great arc furnaces and electrolysis power supplies, I have a Jasic 170A unit that gets all kinds of odd use, like making calcium carbide for my carbide lamp, to overcome the 15A pin I opened out the earth pin on a double adapter, haven't burned the house down yet I feel pretty comfortable doing that with a modern inverter welder, it shuts down if I'm pushing it too hard, wouldn't try it with an old buzz box though

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Far West Wimmera
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    63
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    4,049

    Default

    So you don't want to damage or replace the original plug? I would have thought adding an adaptor was not a good idea for 15A, but if that is your only option? All that should happen if the electrical system is properly designed, is blowing a fuse/tripping a breaker.

    Dean

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
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    Wodonga Vic
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    Default

    Yeah that's right, I didn't want to void the warranty on the welder by grinding down the pin or changing the plug, I don't think it's the only option, just the easiest, (or laziest)

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
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    Far West Wimmera
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by NedsHead View Post
    Yeah that's right, I didn't want to void the warranty on the welder by grinding down the pin or changing the plug, I don't think it's the only option, just the easiest, (or laziest)
    Fair call. My mill came with a 15A plug for some reason. It only has a 2hp motor. I only fitted a 10A plug recently. I had left it because of the warranty. I had a 15A GPO to plug it in, but when I had the wiring rearranged I wanted the 15A GPO nearer the lathe.

    Dean

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Canberra
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    Default

    I think the nicest solution for a 15A plug is a short lead with 15A socket and a 10A plug. Just as with any other of the workarounds, it's something you do at your own risk.

    Strictly speaking, the main downside is nuisance tripping, but with stick welders you're often mostly running in the 80-120A territory, so it's not likely to be a problem until you crank up the amps for, say, 4mm rods.

    That said, when you start drawing serious amps for longer durations, it may cause some previously unknown weak link in your wiring (i.e. a slightly loose termination behind a power point) to overheat, melt and maybe even catch fire. So it's not just a matter of taking responsibility for risks, it's also a matter of being aware of what those risks might actually be.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    North Brisbane. Qld. Australia
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by RustyArc View Post
    I think the nicest solution for a 15A plug is a short lead with 15A socket and a 10A plug. Just as with any other of the workarounds, it's something you do at your own risk.
    I have a short 15A socket, 10A plug lead for my stick welder. This is something a lot of caravan owners do as well if they do not have a 15A supply at home, or wherever and want I think, just to run the fridge. Not strictly legal otherwise you would be able to purchase such a thing.
    Nev.

  14. #14
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    Aug 2008
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    Adelaide
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by SurfinNev View Post
    I have a short 15A socket, 10A plug lead for my stick welder. This is something a lot of caravan owners do as well if they do not have a 15A supply at home, or wherever and want I think, just to run the fridge. Not strictly legal otherwise you would be able to purchase such a thing.
    Or you use one of these with it's own breaker and RCD built in...
    https://hpm.com.au/products/power-converter-10a-to-15a

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
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    Wodonga Vic
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    Default

    I have one but couldn't get any work done using it, the breaker would trip as soon as I start using the welder, they have there place though, like job sites, caravans, etc..

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