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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    melbourne
    Posts
    8

    Default looking at buying my first AC/DC tig

    So I've got about $1500 to $1800 to spend I've been looking at HF START with 200amps.
    It's plenty of power for what I'll need it for . I'm in Australia and looking to walk in and buy in person.
    4 brands I've been looking at are Michigan 200amp AC DC, lincoln electric AC DC 200amp and the CIGWELD weldskill 200amp AC DC. Unimig200 acdc I'm leaning towards the cigweld version at least I'll be able to get a bottle of argon in a D size and pay $1800 for everything.
    I already have a cigweld professional 175i mig welder and correct me if I'm wrong but I was told it can mig weld Alluminum aswell but I haven't tried it yet because I have no argon gas I'm also told that I need to change the liner in the gun for the blue Teflon version if that's true .

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Canberra
    Posts
    1,322

    Default

    I bought the UniMig, never used the Cigweld, but always liked the look of it. Price wise, you should be factoring in a pedal, which made the Cigweld a bit more expensive from memory.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    Sydney, NSW, Australia
    Posts
    1,836

    Default

    I have only owned cheap Chinese AC/DC machines best machine was the Digital Magnum Welder however in saying that i now have a flogged out old Chinese WSM200 AC/DC tig that welds so smooth and soft welding it feels very comfy maybe because its old i donno i just feel very comfy with it

    look at the foot peddles to make sure they are variable the ones i have owned are just a on/off switch

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Lebrina
    Posts
    1,910

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by silverss View Post
    So I've got about $1500 to $1800 to spend I've been looking at HF START with 200amps.
    It's plenty of power for what I'll need it for . I'm in Australia and looking to walk in and buy in person.
    4 brands I've been looking at are Michigan 200amp AC DC, lincoln electric AC DC 200amp and the CIGWELD weldskill 200amp AC DC. Unimig200 acdc I'm leaning towards the cigweld version at least I'll be able to get a bottle of argon in a D size and pay $1800 for everything.
    I already have a cigweld professional 175i mig welder and correct me if I'm wrong but I was told it can mig weld Alluminum aswell but I haven't tried it yet because I have no argon gas I'm also told that I need to change the liner in the gun for the blue Teflon version if that's true .
    You will need to change feed rollers to U groove, the liner to a teflon one and the contact tip to an oversized one (Aluminium expands in the tip and sticks so oversized ones are sold 1.4mm tip for 1.2 wire as an example). You will be restricted to probably 5mm as an upper thickness rating. Argon gas is a must as you have noted, but be aware you will typically run higher flow rates, so a D size will disappear rapidly and I would suggest an E as a better compromise all round. If you already have the Argon and want to give ally mig a try, then you could get away short term with a clean steel liner (as you currently have) and just the oversize tips.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2018
    Location
    gold coast
    Posts
    3

    Default

    HI, I am new to forum. I have been in the industry for about....a long time. I have mainly used 3 phase 250 Millers over the years. I am looking at a 240v AC/DC TIG to do a few jobs from home.The Unimig looks good and spoke to a few guys about them. I was told about the welders at Bunnings, TS200 Bossweld made by Dynaweld in Sydney. I was after some feedback on the Bossweld unit as they will supply torch and switches to my order. The duty cycle looks ok for my use.thanks.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Nov 2016
    Location
    Gulfview Heights, Adelaide
    Posts
    83

    Default

    The Bossweld brand is owned and distributed by Dynaweld. They are not made in Australia.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Dec 2018
    Location
    gold coast
    Posts
    3

    Default tig

    Quote Originally Posted by paul33 View Post
    The Bossweld brand is owned and distributed by Dynaweld. They are not made in Australia.
    HI, yes I have spoken to the guys at Dynaweld.Like most welders , and everything else, they are made in china to their specs. I was more referring to the fact that I would have back up if I had a problem with the welder. I can also order the unit with the torch I prefer to use. if I buy one of Ebay I would have little recall and I would also have to spend more on a water cooled torch. At least it I buy one from Bunnings I get good warranty. Have you used one ,I would like to know how good they are?.We have a " Bosswell" at work,totally different from Bossweld. Its ok... but already burnt one torch on it. Also, the taper off does not work...thanks.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    N.W.Tasmania
    Posts
    1,407

    Default

    While I have not purchased anything from Token Tools, plenty of others on this forum have, and all the feedback that I have seen has been very favourable. I nearly pulled the trigger on a similar unit to the one you are contemplating, but a few higher priorities have come up, meaning that my tig welder will have to wait, but I have spoken to Peter at TT, and he sounded like someone I would be comfortable dealing with which ties in with the good feedback ratings that he has. I have no ties with Token Tools, etc
    Rob.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Dec 2018
    Location
    gold coast
    Posts
    3

    Default

    hi,well just to update my tig purchase, I was given a Mitech 200amp ac/dc tig by a friend who bought a business and did not need the welder!! The only catch is if he needs some ally welding done he gets taken care of!!Pretty fair deal I think ! I have used and abused one of these tigs before and they are probly one of the better $1000 tigs. I need to get a new torch for it but that's not drama.I will post some pics very soon of the welds.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    N.W.Tasmania
    Posts
    1,407

    Default

    That would seem to be a pretty good deal

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