For all your mini work, what type of welder do you use?
Anyone recommend a cheap one?

I run a Kemppi 125A that I bought S/H for $450, years ago. Ex panelbeater's welder.
My previous job for 20+ years was welding engineer at Rheem, I've used lots of MIG machines from 100A to 1000A on various jobs.

Many of the el cheapo ones are just toys. Maybe OK for occasional use, but little capacity for hard work. I'd avoid the gasless only ones, they restrict what you can do. I've found gas (argon + CO2) and solid wire do a better job, particularly if there's any rust. it's a Mini? Right.....
If you can afford a good one, get the Lincoln 170A, or the WIA 150S. Both are excellent machines, but cost $1000 up.
Of the cheapies I'd go for the Cigweld one.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

A good source is second hand out of the classifieds. I bought a second hand ESAB mig for $500. They don't come much better than that. You get what you pay for. If you have 3 phase then there are lots of 2nd hand ones around.

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Chris

Everything I like is either
illegal, immoral or fattening.

Another thing to take into account is price of consumables. You can get a 15KG roll of solid wire for $30 - $40. A 5kg roll of gassless wire will be in the order of $90.


I had one of these, nice little machine. Nice & compact, though pretty heavy to lug around. Got a Lincoln 205 now (hey, I like red )


My welding instructor at TAFE recommended these. I have never used one but he know's what he is talking about. I am pretty sure they come in under the Lincoln on price too.


I'd be pretty suprised if you couldn't get either the Lincoln or WIA under $1k if you shop around.

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Metal to burn, sparks to fly...

Lincoln 170 is not much under $1000, the WIA is around $1400 list. Nice machine, I use on on site work. Lighter than the Lincoln. But, the Lincoln has a 3 year warranty.

Hey, my Kemppi is RED too.. also has a built in 12V/24V battery fast charger and a 6 second 200A car start booster in it..
Good for those sub-zero mornings in Finland..

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

I could have sworn I saw the WIA cheaper somewhere. Then again, it'd hardly be the first time i've been wrong For that money I reckon it'd be hard to go past the Lincoln.


Hey that's pretty cool

You got a TIG, Kev?

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Metal to burn, sparks to fly...

I'm hoping the tax man will assist me in buying a TIG next financial year. A DC inverter- I can't afford an AC with HF. But, the boss has one at work...

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Yeah, those little ESABs look OK. They used to use those at the mine I used to work at. It they will survive there, they'll survive my shed!!!

Might be an idea for me to build the shed first though

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Metal to burn, sparks to fly...

I used to service these machines many years ago. Always found the CIG's to be on the flimsy side. Their construction made them susceptible to breaking down.
The large diodes on the rectifier bridges were the worst.

Miller and Lincoln were always my favourite.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

All the little baby ones are pretty flimsy. Telwin, SIP, Cigweld... I'd pay a bit more and buy something that will last.
<edit> I've had my Kemppi about 12 years now!
Great for doing `plug' or `MIG spot' welds too- as it has a spot timer..

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

This looks good. 215Amps on single phase!

http://www.ferret.com.au/articles/82/0c005982.asp

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Chris

Everything I like is either
illegal, immoral or fattening.

Yep, that's a good one. As are all WIA's stuff. Pity they got sold to the Yanks though (as did Cigweld).

I've seen single phase M/Cs rated up to 275A, but the standards used to derive this figure were pretty dubious.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

I have a BOC 150C which retailed for around $1100 when I was looking a few years back but managed to pick up an Ex trade fair (new) unit for considerably less - good timing. It's a copper wound tranny and a full size wand which makes getting replacemnt parts easier (and cheaper) also - another consideration when going with a "named" brand. I believe their bigger unit (the 195?) might have a spot timer as well.............

I guess if you can pick up a known machine for a good price or second hand it will probably retain it's value more than these "handy man" portable units anyway

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Cheers

Paul

I seem to remember that a good indication of a good welder was it's weight.
The larger the weight of a single phase welder, the less spatter that you will get.

It's to do with the phyical and electrical properties of the welder with the rise and fall of the mains supplied 240 volt AC sinewave.
If the manufacturer constructed it with a larger core of steel within the windings it produced a smoother output.

There were some noteable exceptions to the rule, but to find them you might have to speak to a couple of Fitters or Boilermakers.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

With most things the most important part of welding is the operator. If you buy a welder then get some quality training. I have Mig and Oxy and it took me hours of practice to get really good welds.

When you thing your ok then make the welding harder for your self.

When doing panels, the best weld is the one that has goos penetration, low buildup and doesnt warp the panel. when you can do that, your ready to apply it to a mini.

Good luck

PS learn how to shrink panel warp, you'll need to.