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  1. #16
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    I'm self taught and it's all I have ever used so I really don't know any difference. I could be missing out on a whole new world of easier welding with better results...

    Simon
    Girl, I don't wanna know about your mild-mannered alter ego or anything like that." I mean, you tell me you're, uh, super-mega-ultra-lightning babe? That's all right with me. I'm good. I'm good.

  2. #17
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    It might be worth looking at Magnum Welders, we have one at work. it has been used every day trouble free for about 5 years,
    John

  3. #18
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    Thanks John. I had a look at Magnum Welders website. They have a 3 phase 315A welder for $1850. It includes a water-cooled torch and a foot control. Rated Duty Cycle - 60% @ 315amps, 100% @ 243amps. I have a 3 phase outlet in my workshop.

    Second welder down: Magnum Welders - AC/DC Tig Welders

    Is it fair to say you get more welder for your money in 3 phase?
    Is this too much welder for a hobbyist?
    Chris

  4. #19
    BobL is offline Member: Blue and white apron brigade
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    Quote Originally Posted by jack620 View Post
    Thanks John. I had a look at Magnum Welders website. They have a 3 phase 315A welder for $1850. It includes a water-cooled torch and a foot control. Rated Duty Cycle - 60% @ 315amps, 100% @ 243amps. I have a 3 phase outlet in my workshop.
    Just be aware that the water cooled (WC) torch doesn't include the cost of the cooler ($650). My understanding is that cooling is only needed at higher amps which it sounds you are unlikely to use. It is possible to use a WC torch without water cooling but you are then dragging around a torch and cable that is a bit heavier and clumsier than needed. This might be a nuisance when you want to learn. Most of my BIL's welders can take a WC torch but he only leaves a WC torch on one of them.

    The Magnum Mini Digital Tig200E is ($1500 on special) is comparable in weight/size to the BOSS
    The Magnum Tig200P has a better duty cycle. It's comparable to the Token Tools welder but the Magnum is non-digital and has no memories - i.e. you have to set all the knobs .

  5. #20
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    Quote Originally Posted by BobL View Post
    It is possible to use a WC torch without water cooling but you are then dragging around a torch and cable that is a bit heavier and clumsier than needed. This might be a nuisance when you want to learn.
    Thanks Bob. That's good to know.

    Quote Originally Posted by BobL View Post
    It's comparable to the Token Tools welder but the Magnum is non-digital and has no memories - i.e. you have to set all the knobs .
    The Magnum looks like you set the parameters one at a time by scrolling through a menu and adjusting with the knob. I can see the problem with that being you can't see at a glance what your settings are. Whereas the Token Tools welder allows you to see at a glance each setting. It would also allow you to quickly change any parameter without scrolling through a menu. Is my understanding correct?
    Chris

  6. #21
    BobL is offline Member: Blue and white apron brigade
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    Quote Originally Posted by jack620 View Post
    Thanks Bob. That's good to know.



    The Magnum looks like you set the parameters one at a time by scrolling through a menu and adjusting with the knob. I can see the problem with that being you can't see at a glance what your settings are. Whereas the Token Tools welder allows you to see at a glance each setting. It would also allow you to quickly change any parameter without scrolling through a menu. Is my understanding correct?
    Which models are you referring to?

  7. #22
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    Quote Originally Posted by BobL View Post
    The Magnum Mini Digital Tig200E is ($1500 on special) is comparable in weight/size to the BOSS
    Its panel looks mighty similar to the Bossweld unit.

    Magnum seems similar to Bossweld, being another what I call "virtual" brand where they're purchasing an existing design from a Chinese manufacturer, the only input being some artwork files for the machine and box, and maybe a price point for component quality (we'll pay $5.00 more a unit if you use better capacitors).

    It'd be interesting to open up these similar looking welders and do a compare and contrast.

  8. #23
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    Quote Originally Posted by BobL View Post
    Which models are you referring to?
    I was referring to the Magnum Tig200E (with single rotary knob) versus the Token Tools Alupulse 210 (with 13 rotary knobs).
    Chris

  9. #24
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    Quote Originally Posted by RustyArc View Post
    Its panel looks mighty similar to the Bossweld unit.
    Yes it does, now you mention it. They appear to be physically identical, however the Magnum quotes slightly higher duty cycle figures. Either the internals are different or Bunnings have opted for more conservative duty cycle figures. If you're right about the same factory/different sticker, the Bossweld is better value I'd say.
    Chris

  10. #25
    BobL is offline Member: Blue and white apron brigade
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    Quote Originally Posted by jack620 View Post
    I was referring to the Magnum Tig200E (with single rotary knob) versus the Token Tools Alupulse 210 (with 13 rotary knobs).
    OK - Got it.

    My Alupluse is more like the 210 pro with only the single knob and I was somewhat skeptical about how that would work but after using it for a couple of years I'm finding its fine and that would not worry me in any future purchase.

    One of my old uni profs used to say the difficulty in using a piece of gear is proportional to the number of knobs cubed.

    More knobs might mean you can see if one has been moved, but it also means they can be accidentally moved more easily.

  11. #26
    BobL is offline Member: Blue and white apron brigade
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    Quote Originally Posted by jack620 View Post
    Yes it does, now you mention it. They appear to be physically identical, however the Magnum quotes slightly higher duty cycle figures. Either the internals are different or Bunnings have opted for more conservative duty cycle figures. If you're right about the same factory/different sticker, the Bossweld is better value I'd say.
    I'd find out what make/brand their IBGTs (insulated-gate bipolar transistor) are as these alone can make quite a bit of difference.
    When the brand of the IBGTs are not mentioned they could be from anywhere.

  12. #27
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    I can't find any mention of the brand of IGBT for either the WeldBoss TS200 or the Magnum TIG200e, so I'd assume no-name. I'd be very surprised if they are Infineon as the Alupulse claims to be. Even if they were marked Infineon I'd be dubious!

    Assuming both the Magnum TIG200e and WeldBoss TS200 have no-name trannies, I think it's fair to say the Boss is much better value. Whether it's actually any good is another question.
    Chris

  13. #28
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    That Bossweld unit could well be fine - it's a shame there aren't more reviews around of these Chinese-sourced welders.

  14. #29
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    Quote Originally Posted by BobL View Post
    It is possible to use a WC torch without water cooling but you are then dragging around a torch and cable that is a bit heavier and clumsier than needed. This might be a nuisance when you want to learn. Most of my BIL's welders can take a WC torch but he only leaves a WC torch on one of them.
    Nope, water cooled torches must be used with water cooling or else theit power cable gets insanely hot and burns through the insulation. I have seen it happen and it only took around a minute at 100 odd amps AC.
    Water cooling is less important with DC (generally running less amps for a given thickness and less heat input to the torch anyway). Long runs at even 120A AC will make you wish you had a water cooled torch.
    I have run both air cooled torches (WP26) and water cooled (WP18) and the water cooled is far preferable in regards to flexibility etc but of course you lose portability with the cooler. Many simply run water from the tap through their water cooled torch. If you do, then make sure that you use a needle valve to control flow as it doesn't take much at all and the hoses are not rated for high pressure at all.

  15. #30
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    Thanks to everyone who chimed in with advice. I reckon the Token Tools Alupulse 210 is probably the one I would settle on. However, it's going to cost me around $2K by the time I get a cylinder, helmet & gloves as well. For now I've decided to upgrade my oxy-LPG setup to oxy-acetylene. All I needed was a reg, new hoses and a couple of acetylene welding tips. I got those items and a swap-and-go acetylene cylinder at Bunnings today. Last Christmas I replaced the hand-piece, mixer and flashback arrestors, so I basically have all new gear.

    So now I'm hoping to teach myself to fusion weld steel and aluminium (with a little help from YouTube).
    Chris

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