Arc Welder

braydenh28 · Post by **braydenh28** » Sun May 12, 2013 1:48 am

Hi guys im looking at purchasing my first welder. I want to use it to fix my dog kennels and maybe build a ATV trailer. I am thinking arc as I have done a course and learnt how to arc weld and I want to be able to use out side. I have 200-300 to spend on a welder and think that a arc welder will also be best for this price range. Can anyone recommend a good welder I can get for this price new or second hand. I have been looking on trade-me lately but not sure what to be looking for. I have been told to get one over 150 amps. Any help would be appreciated cheers.

De-Ranged · Post by **De-Ranged** » Sun May 12, 2013 2:41 am

I've seen some surprisingly good cheap chinise made stuff.... but that said I've seen alot more that isn't worth buying
As far as cheap brands the only one that I'd bother with is Mitech, they have a nice small unit as a $1 res
http://www.trademe.co.nz/business-farming-industry/industrial/manufacturing-metalwork/welders/auction-591727149.htm

braydenh28 · Post by **braydenh28** » Sun May 12, 2013 2:55 am

ok ill keep my eye on that listing. as far as amps go what size would you reccomend

rokhound · Post by **rokhound** » Sun May 12, 2013 7:29 am

That is exactly the unit I have. It's a good wee setup too.
If you get the 200 amp Mitech unit you will be able to weld up to 10mm (and beyond) quite easily, mine burns holes through 6mm plate when set at 140 amp quite happily.

tomsoffroad · Post by **tomsoffroad** » Sun May 12, 2013 9:26 am

I've got one of these http://www.georgehenry.co.nz/product_pcid_1295.html

Good little welder. 140a is heaps for what I use it for. To be honest I only bought it for one job (that house and staircase I did many moons ago) now it sits in its case doing nothing :roll:

But I wouldn't be without it...... just incase :mrgreen:

Heath · Post by **Heath** » Sun May 12, 2013 5:07 pm

George henry is my new favourite shop. :mrgreen:

And I'd try and get more than you need. 140 might be enough but if you have 180/200 then it will always be enough (and you can wind it down in power). That's a nice unit though (tig capable too).

Moriarty · Post by **Moriarty** » Sun May 12, 2013 8:53 pm

As a rough guide, physically heavy probably means that it has copper windings. A light one is probably aluminum windings, and therefore wont have the current output or duty cycle that you need.

Heath is right, 180/200 amps may sound like too much, but the day you want to run a low hydrogen (read Hi tensile) rod, you will be pleased you got the grunt.

Keep your eyes peeled for an older model Weldwell the green one is the big one.

This is from a stick welder of far too many years experience!!

http://www.trademe.co.nz/business-farmi ... 422822.htm

Best value on Tardme at the moment. If I didn't have one that fills MY needs, I would get this one.

braydenh28 · Post by **braydenh28** » Sun May 12, 2013 10:03 pm

Cheers shame that it isnt a bit closer to me

De-Ranged · Post by **De-Ranged** » Mon May 13, 2013 10:53 am

Moriarty wrote:As a rough guide, physically heavy probably means that it has copper windings. A light one is probably aluminum windings, and therefore wont have the current output or duty cycle that you need.

Heath is right, 180/200 amps may sound like too much, but the day you want to run a low hydrogen (read Hi tensile) rod, you will be pleased you got the grunt.

I thought the new ones (inverter) didn't use windings, its a circuit thing.... not that I'd ever take the cover off mine at over $6grand it goes back to the dealer and they fix it!

Yea they are right in that you need a bit more grunt if you want to weld thicker stuff with single pass... but you can still do multiple pass welds :lol:

I've welded 25mm plate with 3mm rods (because that was all I could get on the weekend :roll:

) you "V" out and build up your welds one pass at a time as for Low hy's, cromium rods etc if your getting that good your going to be looking at replacing it

Try the southland times I think they still have a for sale column, or trade and exchange mags.. if your buying an old copper windings welder don't worry about brand, just make certain it works before you buy it... my experiance the only way to kill them was corrosion or by bouncing them around
If its a choke welder, pull out bar you clamp to set amperage (same as the one Bob recomended ) it will work or it wont, with the preset ranged types try each circuit
Give the leads a good going over, look for spots where the insulation is parting from the copper wire especially if it looks like its melted, this is bad it means the cable has shorted out on broken wires, this generates heat and reduces weld current.... replacing them is expensive

Hope this helps

Cheer Reece

Clint · Post by **Clint** » Mon May 13, 2013 1:59 pm

I had an old Apex 150A for a few years & it worked well. You'll need to wire in a heavy duty outlet if you don't want it to burn out your wall switches all the time. If you get a crusty old unit like those often seen on trademe it's worth pulling off the top (unplug it first!) & checking over the wiring & connections & cleaning out all the rats nests & crap, they're pretty simple inside.

6 months ago my girlfriend decided we needed a welder upgrade & bought a nice Mitech AC/DC Tig/plasma/stick which has been great & one thing that surprised me as a long time hobby stick welder was how nice DC is to stick weld with! If you can extend the budget to an inverter DC welder it really is worth the $$$ over an old skool AC buzzbox.

Cheers
Clint

catalystracing · Post by **catalystracing** » Mon May 13, 2013 3:36 pm

If you are just wanting to do light stuff like you mentioned, have a think about a MIG welder with gasless wire. A 150-180amp machine will give you plenty in reserve.I know you have done a welding course on stick, but wouldnt take long to get used to a squirt gun.
Like the others have mentioned Mitech are good.
This thread is a bit like "which mud tyres should I buy"

, lots of opinions which is good, read all the comments and then make a choice which bests suits you.

Big-AL · Post by **Big-AL** » Mon May 13, 2013 5:18 pm

Where are you located?

braydenh28 · Post by **braydenh28** » Tue May 14, 2013 3:35 am

Southland mate

Moriarty · Post by **Moriarty** » Thu May 16, 2013 7:40 am

that Apex welder in Matamata is now.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... =591422822

And that price makes it a worthwhile freight job.
If I didn't have it's little Brother, the big one would be in my shed NOW.
That model can be either 230 OR 400 Volts.

braydenh28 · Post by **braydenh28** » Thu May 16, 2013 4:13 pm

the guy is looking into freight for me

braydenh28 · Post by **braydenh28** » Thu May 16, 2013 4:18 pm

any idea how much this would weight etc?

Moriarty · Post by **Moriarty** » Thu May 16, 2013 7:14 pm

braydenh28 wrote:any idea how much this would weight (weigh) etc?

Dunno, but it's heavy enough tp make your hernia stick out about a foot trying to lift it onto the back of a five tonner by your self!!

braydenh28 · Post by **braydenh28** » Fri May 17, 2013 3:01 am

what about this..
http://www.trademe.co.nz/a.aspx?id=594038500 is this worth buying??

catalystracing · Post by **catalystracing** » Fri May 17, 2013 9:15 am

These were a good machine, good brand. Cant go wrong if you can get for the right price, more local for you too, so freight not so much an issue. Good luck

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