Thanks: 0
Likes: 0
Needs Pictures: 0
Picture(s) thanks: 0
Results 1 to 15 of 20
-
22nd Sep 2014, 10:07 AM #1Novice
- Join Date
- Jun 2014
- Location
- sydney
- Posts
- 12
CIG Transtig 180 manual and advice
These welders are twenty to thirty years old and I am wondering are they still a good welder. I'm looking at purchasing a transtig 180 for around $600 with extras, which is supposedly in good working order.
Are parts still available any advice would be appreciated.
I'm also after a manual if any one would have have a copy my email address is [email protected]
-
23rd Sep 2014, 01:23 PM #2Senior Member
- Join Date
- Jun 2005
- Location
- Townsville, Tropical Nth Qld.
- Posts
- 226
Hi 02howdy,
I have one and still use it weekly as a Stick on AC and TIG on DC Neg. These welders are multivoltage, i.e. 240 volt single phase or 415 volt 2/3 phase. The only problem I have had was when the HV capacitor for the Pilot Arc failed. A very kind Forumite gave me a compatable replacement, then I also sourced some brand new ones from the USA. At $600 I think it is overpriced, but an equivelent new one will be much more, with a lower duty cycle, so you have to decide. Most parts can be sourced as its a rebranded Miller welder from the USA. If you do a search through these threads someone has posted the manual up before.
rgds,
Crocy.
-
23rd Sep 2014, 02:20 PM #3
I have an old TransTig 250. I use it for stick (normally DC) and TIG (both AC and DC) and is my "go to" welder. It may be old, but it works very well. Great welders
Cheers.
Vernon.
__________________________________________________
Bite off more than you can chew and then chew like crazy.
-
24th Sep 2014, 10:55 AM #4Most Valued Member
- Join Date
- Sep 2010
- Location
- Lebrina
- Posts
- 1,915
They are alright and that's about as far as I would go.
From memory, they have no AC balance control, (I know my Transtig 250 does not), which means that for AC welding, they do not perform as well as a machine that provides balanced AC current, (they will eat 2.4mm tungstens at much over 100A but 3.2mm work alright albeit with a less focused arc but will give acceptable results in the 2-5mm thickness range. Duty cycle will not be marvellous, somewhere between the Transtig 150 (150A @ 25%) and the Transtig 250 (250A @ 30%/ 140A @100%). Working on the 1 amp per thou rule or 40 amps per mm if you prefer, 3mm ally will require around 120A so it will be relatively easy to hit the duty cycle point when TIG welding. They don't have line voltage compensation either, so can be fussy buggers to set up.
The AC balance issue will of course not be an issue if DC Tig is your main usage.
I have just gotten rid of my Transtig 250 for these reasons and upgraded to a Hobart Tigwave 250 - a machine that I would damn near propose marriage to.
If you can get a few more dollars together, other welders are probably better options, but if you are maxed out at that price range then the Transtig 180 will be better than no welder at all. $600 does seem to be on the high side for that machine though. If you have 3 phase, then many doors will open up as options, but as far as single phase goes, you are a bit restricted to machines like the '150 and '180 or the newer crop of inverters, (just don't buy a BOC, they are crap construction and as bad as the worst ebay specials, but cost 50% more).
As an example, a Token Tools AluPulse 200 with a one year warranty comes in at $1350 and a Magnum Welders Tig200P could be as low as $1090. Both would exceed the Transtig 180 in duty cycle and welding performance. Lincoln make some beautiful entry level welders too, so don't forget to look at them if you are in the market.
Contact BOC for a manual for your Transtig 180, that's how I got one for my Transtig 250. They were very helpful and emailed me a PDF scan of a manual.
-
19th Oct 2014, 08:59 AM #5Novice
- Join Date
- Jun 2014
- Location
- sydney
- Posts
- 12
thank you for your input, it has been a great help
-
20th Oct 2014, 09:56 AM #6Most Valued Member
- Join Date
- Sep 2010
- Location
- Lebrina
- Posts
- 1,915
Well, don't keep us in suspense
Did you make a purchase?
-
8th Nov 2014, 05:46 PM #7Novice
- Join Date
- Jun 2014
- Location
- sydney
- Posts
- 12
I purchased the welder and was a bit annoyed with my self, as I paid a deposit so was obligated to buy the welder before listening to everyone's advice, however I tested the welder prior to pick up and all functions seemed to work fine, tested ac on ally and dc welding stainless and arc welding.
I'm concerned with the current draw on single phase, as the seller had his own moch up fuse arrangement of approx 30 amps. I have a unimig 190 which runs fine on the 15 amp single phase at my home, so just wondering what the other users are using for their fuse arrangement to run these on single phase.
I didn't have time to test the transtig at home, as I have had to travel overseas, so would be interested in any information.
-
9th Nov 2014, 07:18 AM #8Most Valued Member
- Join Date
- Sep 2010
- Location
- Lebrina
- Posts
- 1,915
First thing I would do is ring the cigweld customer service number and they will email you a manual. The manual will tell you what your current draw is and the recommended fuse. If you are running circuit breakers then they really should be D curve.
From memory your Transtig 180 will be around 30A input, so you will need a good supply and heavy wiring.
-
9th Nov 2014, 08:13 AM #9
They are very helpful. I rang them and they sent out the manuals for my 250.
Ideally yes, but I wouldn't worry too much about changing an existing breaker unless you start having issues with that breaker tripping. If however you are getting a dedicated circuit put in anyway, then may as well do it then I guess.Cheers.
Vernon.
__________________________________________________
Bite off more than you can chew and then chew like crazy.
-
10th Nov 2014, 05:43 PM #10Most Valued Member
- Join Date
- Sep 2010
- Location
- Lebrina
- Posts
- 1,915
-
14th Nov 2014, 06:27 PM #11Novice
- Join Date
- Jun 2014
- Location
- sydney
- Posts
- 12
Thanks Karl for your help I have already got the manual from Cig weld and like you they replied within a day
Ashley
-
16th Nov 2014, 07:18 PM #12Most Valued Member
- Join Date
- Sep 2010
- Location
- Lebrina
- Posts
- 1,915
Not a problem mate.
As a matter of interest, what supply fuse is recommended in the manual?
-
1st Dec 2014, 08:35 PM #13Novice
- Join Date
- Jun 2014
- Location
- sydney
- Posts
- 12
I have attached the manual for anyone who may be interested, however on page 4 it says the supply voltage of 240 voltage uses 26 amps (specifications). I'll test it out when I arrive home in another month.
-
23rd Feb 2020, 02:15 PM #14Novice
- Join Date
- Dec 2016
- Location
- Newcastle
- Posts
- 13
My machine
Hello
I bought a Transtig 180 some time ago. I have had it in storage since.When I finally got around to test it yesterday, shock horror the thing only emits a very small spark and nothing else. Can anyone advise me what can the problem be? does it sound expensive to fix? Thank you .
Tony Cav
-
26th Feb 2020, 12:10 PM #15Most Valued Member
- Join Date
- Sep 2010
- Location
- Lebrina
- Posts
- 1,915
Are you saying that the High Frequency start only emits a small spark, or that you can only get a small spark from the output leads when stick welding for example.
The HF can be due to dirty spark points or incorrectly set points gap. The manual posted earlier will have the location, procedure and specs for rectifying that issue.
If the second scenario is the case, then I would start by checking the output in both AC and DC modes which should eliminate diode failure, before taking the covers off (providing you are comfortable and competent around electrical equipment), naturally you will have unplugged the machine first. Give everything a good blow out and then check all connections are clean and tight with no signs of heat damage. If that doesn't fix the issue, then you will need to look at the diodes and associated wiring. The Transtig is a very basic unit, which works in your favour as there really aren't too many electronics to fail which means that the cause of failure will hopefully be more of a physical nature - broken wires, loose connections, failed switching etc.
Let us know how you go.
Similar Threads
-
CIG Transtig 150
By GuzziJohn in forum WELDINGReplies: 41Last Post: 14th Sep 2020, 10:33 AM -
Manual for EMF/CIG Cigweld Transtig 250 Tig Welder AC/DC HF
By argeng in forum WELDINGReplies: 1Last Post: 20th Jul 2013, 09:25 AM -
Looking for manual for CIG Transtig 250
By Vernonv in forum WELDINGReplies: 5Last Post: 4th Jun 2013, 03:17 PM -
DONE: Transtig 275
By Barterbuilt in forum METALWORK - Machinery, Equipment, MARKETReplies: 5Last Post: 2nd Apr 2013, 07:00 PM -
Transtig 250 EC manual wanted
By silash77 in forum WELDINGReplies: 8Last Post: 12th Nov 2012, 04:48 PM