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  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2019
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    1

    Default New Machine What would you pick?

    Looking at new machine stuck on these two machines!

    1 - Cigweld WeldSkill 250
    2- BOC Smootharc Advance II MIG 250C Welder

    What would you pick? both are suitable for our use general fabrication.

    Any suggestions?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Murray Bridge S Aust.
    Age
    71
    Posts
    5,945

    Default

    Hi Tiny and WELCOME to a TOP FORUM.
    I have the weldskil 250 at home and we also have one where I work. Make sure you get the remote wire feeder, I have the 8metre one and the longest possible for the gun from memory mine is about 4 metres.
    I've always found that no matter what length gun cable you have it's never long enough!!
    If you're going to be welding in narrow confined spaces, not yourself, but the nozzle, get the narrower one. We quite often are required to weld in a space 30mm wide X 75mm long, (a block to support a pulley), and find it's quite hard to get the larger nozzle in to weld successfully, usually end up going in from each side to the centre.
    My unit is about 15 years old and hasn't given me any trouble. I think the later model units can have the remote wire feeder unplugged from the main welder and the gun cable plugged in, there is the possibility that a switch may need to be flicked so that it works dirrect or remote. Mine is set as remote only as it's an earlier model, but the one at work has the remote switching I think??
    This is a handy arrangement for doing bench work, as there have been times that I've pulled on my gun cable without thinking, and had the remote assembly come off the top of the welder, done the same at work also.
    Hope This Helps,
    Kryn
    To grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Syd
    Posts
    492

    Default

    I think with everything Chinese now, from the "domestic" suppliers, probably luck of the draw and not much difference. Don't know about the CIG machine, but have that 250C as one mig, touchwood, no problems over 2 or 3 years other than a yahoo running over the torch and earth clamp with a forklift! The plug is 15A, which might be a pain if doing off-site jobs.

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

    Default

    One thing to be aware of is you can not pull 250 amps out of these welders unless you at a later date install an upgraded input lead.

    I have a 250 amp transmig and as the instruction manual says, for 250 amp output you need at lest a 4mm inlet cord, and no doubt a 20 or 32 amp socket as well.

    I have not upgraded mine, but frequently melt 15 amp sockets and click out the C curve 20 amp circuit breaker fitted to the socket. I have never clicked out the thermal overload on the welder though.

    These transformer welders are only around 50% efficient. But last for a long time as they are very robust. The inverter welders are much more efficient but I have heard of plenty of dead ones.
    Gold, the colour of choice for the discerning person.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    near Rockhampton
    Posts
    6,216

    Default

    On second thoughts, thinking I may have been wrong in the statement above where I said you can not draw 250 amps with the 15 amp plug, I tested it with my clamp on amp meter.

    Of course it is CV so the amps constantly vary but it will put out 250 amps if you keep the stickout short. The lead gets warm quick though.
    Gold, the colour of choice for the discerning person.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    1,105

    Default

    Most users will never have a need to go anywhere near 250 Amps, it's all about the duty cycle

    The Weldskill 250 would be the most reliable machine of the two due to being transformer based, not a lot that can go wrong with them.

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