Likes Likes:  0
Needs Pictures Needs Pictures:  0
Picture(s) thanks Picture(s) thanks:  0
Results 1 to 12 of 12
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Location
    Aldinga Beach.
    Age
    73
    Posts
    148

    Default CIG three in ones.

    I have a CIG inverter mounted under the bench and a Uninig MIG on a wheeled cart. Having a smallish workshop I'm always cramped for space so I thought I'd get rid of the two, buy a three in one and mount it under the bench.

    I have my eye on a CIG weldskill 185 three in one, anyone have one, pros and cons??

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    Norwood-ish, Adelaide
    Age
    59
    Posts
    6,541

    Default

    The only comment I would make is that if a 3 in one breaks, then you lose capability to do all three things when it goes off for repairs (if you bother), or if it is a common part in the machine that has failed. If you don't have anything time critical happening that does not matter but unless you are really pushed for space you may be better off storing one or both for back up purposes.

    Michael

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2018
    Location
    Boonah Qld
    Age
    82
    Posts
    24

    Default

    I am thinking about buying a CIG 185 as well would love some feed back some one must have one.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    near Rockhampton
    Posts
    6,216

    Default

    I have been told some of the cheap name brand welders are little better then the cheap no name welders.
    Gold, the colour of choice for the discerning person.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    1,105

    Default

    Can you mount the cig inverter on top of the mig? That way when you need to do a quick job you can just take the inverter with you. The problem with the 3 in 1 machines is once you load them up with wire and gas if required they are not really all that portable anymore anyway.

  6. #6
    BobL is online now Member: Blue and white apron brigade
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    7,183

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by .RC. View Post
    I have been told some of the cheap name brand welders are little better then the cheap no name welders.

    Many years ago when I knew very little about welders and metal work I bought a $99 CIG stick welder from Bunnings. This turned out to be one of the worst machines/tools I ever bought - The cables were too short, the hand piece and earth clamp fell apart, the 10% duty cycle drove me nuts. I spent more than $99 to lengthen the cables and replace the hand piece and earth clamp, and a large heat sink and fan (which did nothing to increase the duty cycle). I struggled with the CIG at home but whenever I wanted to do anything more than about 3mm plate I used the welders at work. Eventually I sold the welder and felt a bt guilty selling it because I new how happy it was.

    After that I approached my boilermaker BIL (he has 5 welders at home) who loaned me his CEAweld Rainbow and I found out what decent inverter welding was all about. I kept hold of that welder for 5 years until he asked for it back. Now I have a Tokentools Alupulse 210 PRO and yes it did cost a tad more than the average AC/DC machine but I'm really glad I bought it. I also have a TT plasma - also a good machine.

    The Mens shed has a BOC welder with similar specs to the Alupulse 210 but I think the TT machine is a bit easier to use.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Sep 2018
    Location
    Boonah Qld
    Age
    82
    Posts
    24

    Default

    Pretty obvious I guess but some only have 10 amp power. As do I, but I do have a very big old 15 amp stick welder that operates quite well out of a 10 amp plug. After all circuit breakers these days are mostly 20 amps. But it does influence the power of the machine I can buy. I will keep the old stick welder just for heavy welding. I also have an oxy. I have had a UNIMIG 200 and have never even used half a roll of wire in over 10 years because it has never really worked. I have spent more than the original cost on repairs. It recently got stuck on settings that sort of let me weld body panel but now even that has failed. That is why I need a new MIG but thought a TIG would be good as well. Cannot afford to buy one of each hence the three in one.The MIG TIG will be for light sheet. So has any one actually got a CIG or WIA 3 in one machine?

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2018
    Location
    Boonah Qld
    Age
    82
    Posts
    24

    Default

    Well I have just picked up a CIG 185 Supra 3 in 1. Haven't tried it yet but hopefully will get a chance this weekend sometime. I haven't got a tig gun yet but will eventually. They only come with a stick and mig fittings. TIG guns are available for it but will wait for a bit. Will let you know how it goes.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    mundubbera
    Age
    75
    Posts
    8

    Default

    I have a 165 CIG inverter stick and tig welder have only used it for stick welding but it is just a magic machine it has done heaven only knows but it would be in the thousands of hours [ I have owned it for about 12 or so years] of all types of stick welding e.g. low hydrogen rods hard surfacing and general purpose welding you name it has probably done but it has a 60% duty cycle and to me that is cut off point anything below that I would be worried about anything above that is probably worth buying. The problem with that is that most 3 in one machines that I have looked at don't have anything like that as a duty cycle or the ones that do are not cheap

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Sep 2018
    Location
    Boonah Qld
    Age
    82
    Posts
    24

    Default

    I did try the stick welder and it makes a sound rather like a MIG more of a sizzle than the harsh noisy of a big stick welder arc. I set the auto weld feature and did two near perfect welds on 2mm sheet. The rods I used were 2.5 and years and years old. Then I did two welds not so neat. But my eye site isn't the best for welding and I have a bit of old man shakes. So I was very happy with the results of the stick part. I do know that welding 2 mm with my old welder would have meant burn through holes to fill. But there was none of those. Yet to try the MIG.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Canberra
    Posts
    1,322

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Flocar View Post
    I did try the stick welder and it makes a sound rather like a MIG more of a sizzle than the harsh noisy of a big stick welder arc.
    That's more to do with it being a DC inverter welder - they are remarkably quiet and smooth compared to the old AC transformer welders where you get both the angry 50Hz buzz of the weld, but also the hum of the transformer, getting louder as it comes under load.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Sep 2018
    Location
    Boonah Qld
    Age
    82
    Posts
    24

    Default

    Tried the MIG last week and the auto mig failed to drive the wire. Worked fine on manual, though I still cannot MIG weld. Rang the state distributors welding guru and he thought about it over the weekend and eventually came up with the solution. The machine left the factory set for a spool gun when on auto MIG and so a few changes to the on board computer input and hey presto all works. My other complaint was the work place health and safety mandated VDR or something similar that reduces the start voltage on the stick making starting difficult. He suggested a different rod that has different flux and makes starting easier. Just after I bought a large pack of different rods. Oh well will perservre, anyhow will probably still use my old stick welder for big jobs. Currently welding up the large sheet metal press I am building. Yer I know, start a thread and photos. I still owe a photo of the milling machine I have built to stage 1. Will do, just need to remember to do it.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •