El Cheapo Chinese mig welders

[jmac]

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI....m=400130001192

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI....m=370398308295

OK in the past I've said such items were shit. I've currently had to fix the wire feed/torch on my own mig (transmig 130, complete POS imho) yet again, and I'm thoroughly fucking over it.

THe problem is that I just can't stretch the budget to afford esab or higher model cigweld mig welder. Have these chinese type units made any leaps and bounds recently as far as quality goes? Basically I'm at the end of my rope, I fixed the existing one, and it fucked up mid weld, wire feed going all inconsistent, and due to poor eyesight and other shit issues, I basically blew a couple of tiny holes in the floorpan in the spots where it the wire feed 'paused' then restarted of it's own accord.

I don't need to weld every day, not even close to it, and mostly it'd be relatively light work, stuff like floorpans (and the occasional chassis rail) - anyone had experience with these types of mig? Feedback? The two links I've posted - they go for around $300-350 at auction. I've picked them in general, because it seems fairly obvious (to me at least) they are likely made at the same place, with similar parts, one is just more or less the 'mirror' image of the other.

So should I stick to my own advice (which will mean having the car off the road for about 3-4 months, or have a go with one of these ones?

[Ben Wilson]

I'm a big fan of cheap Chinese stuff, but not MIGs. Cheap MIGs are just nasty things.

You can get a decent weld out of them, but they seem far more sensitive to changes in settings than a good machine. I find I spend more time getting them setup than actually welding. With my Kemppi, I just dial up something close and start welding..

[Madhatr]

what problem do you keep having with the handpiece?

[jmac]

First one, the threads were jagged and the last section of wire outer cable butted up against them in such a way as to jam the wire internally, or always double the friction at best. Second one, the hose for the gas was damaged (not that big of a deal to fix, but a fucken pain considering it was new) The way the outer cable is clamped into teh wire feed unit is flimsy plastic and the slightest friction and it would push the outer cable out of that (made some new pieces from scratch to fix that). Then the wire feed motor shit itself, then the grooved roller that pushes the wire was so soft it didn't grip the wire and just span like a fucken expensive 'special spin' yo-yo. Then the trigger switch stopped working (and some other wire feed issues) It's hard to even write about the cunt of a thing because it's been such a pissoff since day 1, it's like talking about a bad marriage or something, but being catholic and having to endure it...

[bv]

i can just echo the general 'eeek' when it comes to the cheap chinese stuff in a mig... i am a fan of the chinese gear, my bandsaw is awesome (after I fixed it up, changed the factory oil etc) but i've had other shit that just falls apart, a chop saw etc.

you might get one that works great, the variability is likely the issue, but it'll probably stick metal together at least for a while.

personally i stretched for a hobart (made by miller) and am very happy, im using it these last couple days.

[PHULL]

First one, the threads were jagged and the last section of wire outer cable butted up against them in such a way as to jam the wire internally, or always double the friction at best. Second one, the hose for the gas was damaged (not that big of a deal to fix, but a fucken pain considering it was new) The way the outer cable is clamped into teh wire feed unit is flimsy plastic and the slightest friction and it would push the outer cable out of that (made some new pieces from scratch to fix that). Then the wire feed motor shit itself, then the grooved roller that pushes the wire was so soft it didn't grip the wire and just span like a fucken expensive 'special spin' yo-yo. Then the trigger switch stopped working (and some other wire feed issues) It's hard to even write about the cunt of a thing because it's been such a pissoff since day 1, it's like talking about a bad marriage or something, but being catholic and having to endure it...

some things I don't mind the chinese stuff so long as I have backup/universal parts to replace it with.

the trigger in the gun was just carbon build up in my CIG MIG, and the intermittant running of the motor was caused by the crappy switch contacts..
You can get replacment switches and rolers at good tool shops

I never was a big fan of the chinese import machine tools, I was prepaired to spend a little more on a older heavy more ridgid machine... like the HF bandsaws

[blue_cefiro]

Cheap migs are very hit n miss. I've been selling a few NuWeld migs of late at our shop, havent been too bad for something on the cheap side of things. But would definatly stress only for home use.

[Madhatr]

First one, the threads were jagged and the last section of wire outer cable butted up against them in such a way as to jam the wire internally, or always double the friction at best. Second one, the hose for the gas was damaged (not that big of a deal to fix, but a fucken pain considering it was new) The way the outer cable is clamped into teh wire feed unit is flimsy plastic and the slightest friction and it would push the outer cable out of that (made some new pieces from scratch to fix that). Then the wire feed motor shit itself, then the grooved roller that pushes the wire was so soft it didn't grip the wire and just span like a fucken expensive 'special spin' yo-yo. Then the trigger switch stopped working (and some other wire feed issues) It's hard to even write about the cunt of a thing because it's been such a pissoff since day 1, it's like talking about a bad marriage or something, but being catholic and having to endure it...

Only ask because ive got one, use it for panel repair mainly. Only had the contacts go in the trigger once, so it was cheaper to replace the whole torch with an aftermarket one than it was to buy the trigger block from cig.

[Roadsailing]

Interested in chinese TIGs jmac? i've had a few goes on one and litttle DC ones can be had fairly cheaply and don't really have moving parts, and would be lovely for panel work.

I've got a coppermate/SIP or something 160 MIG and it needs a lot of shit fixing on it, dunno if i would risk getting a made in china one that doesn;t have a nicer label on it.

[HoonBoy]

If the cigweld unit is OK, get a new handpiece. My neighbour has one and recently replaced the handpiece, made it a different beast to work with!

[[TUFFVQ]]

I've had a ebay chinese TIG for 2 years. Have had no problems and is really limited by my lack of skills as an operator

[Ben Wilson]

Chinese TIGs are a good thing, they don't have any moving parts like a MIG..

[Com_VC]

I'd be looking for a second hand name brand mig, forget the chinese crap.

See if you can find an old cigweld. I picked up one of the old gray 195s for $350 a few years back at a swapmeet and it came with a remote wire feeder as well. Opened it up and blew all the dust out and it runs great, found a sticker inside that said it was made in 1987.

Keep checking daily on ebay and maybe even the trading post. I would look for something with a removable torch ie euro fitting which pretty much all decent migs use these days so you can pick up a gun cheaply and easily. Some of the older cigwelds may use a different sort of fitting but shouldn't be too much of an issue.

Should be able to find something for under $500.
Most likely cigweld, WIA are awesome but go for $$$$, maybe migomag, unimig etc as well.

[Coffin]

Yup, we picked up a 195 on ebay for $390 last week

[Greg Rust]

I am currently in the market for a new mig also, just got a quote for a CIG Transmig150 for $730+GST but still have to get a bottle and reg for that which would add another $300.

Also looking at Lincoln Electric 180C 1.2 but waiting on price to come back for that one.

We have a NuWeld 150 in the workshop and it seems to go alright.

[dieline]

What do you guys think of this MIG?

http://www.bocworldofwelding.com.au/...mate-200p.html

[sean]

+1 for 2nd hand mig's

Picked up a Cig for $100 not that long ago, came with everything (trolly, handpiece + spare, rolls of wire, hose and reg).

Its not big, and its a bit beaten up, but it still lays a nice weld and will blow holes and cocky shit all over anything i feel the need to destroy (rather than get someone to use it for me)

Sean

[Glenno]

Weve got a UniMig branded welder at the shop get used and abused no trouble from it yet had it maybe 3 years.

[rorge]

I think going for a good quality secondhand unit is the way to go. As Damo mentioned we just got a Topmig 195 for $390 secondhand on ebay. It'd be 2-3 years old, in great condition and came with trolley, all fittings and a 15kg spool of wire!!! It should have enough grunt for the construction of our upcoming hotrod project and anything else we could throw at it!

[cheapracer]

What do you guys think of this MIG?

http://www.bocworldofwelding.com.au/...mate-200p.html

I've had one here for the last 3 years and it's middle range, nothing special nothing bad. heavy Chinese MIGs are very good but they don't use the smaller MIGs a lot small shops prefering ARC or TIG.

Chinese TIG welders are very good because and almost opposite to Oz they are every where, SS welding is done with them on every building for all the handrails and security window bars.

[mizone]

The Chinese plasma cutters are as good as the more expensive ones IMHO.

Mate bought a cheap Chinese TIG and he can't TIG with it yet. Still fucking about with it and two warranty claims.

I reckon go to some welding shops and see if they have a good recon unit or someone has traded a new unit for a bigger/smaller one. Scam a deal. Win.

[dieline]

I've had one here for the last 3 years and it's middle range, nothing special nothing bad. heavy Chinese MIGs are very good but they don't use the smaller MIGs a lot small shops prefering ARC or TIG.

Chinese TIG welders are very good because and almost opposite to Oz they are every where, SS welding is done with them on every building for all the handrails and security window bars.

Thanks mate, I bought one about 3 months ago have not used it yet, replaced a shitty old 300amp transmig.

[cheapracer]

Thanks mate, I bought one about 3 months ago have not used it yet, replaced a shitty old 300amp transmig.

If you need shit for it I'll post them to you if you can't buy them yourself there - I'll post some pictures in a few days so you can compare it is the same unit, mine is a different colour and brand but pretty sure it's the same axe.

I have had some fiddling with the torch mainly the gas shield protruding too far over the contact tip because a/ the spring that holds the gas shield on could be better and b/ that area assembly is held on by a left hand thread and for a while when I cleaned the slag out of the shield I did it naturally with my right hand winding the assembly out a little each time and for a while couldn't work out why the welding was so shit.

Oh and I have a 240V Plasma cutter too, same brand, 40amps rating and I run it with the smallest shittiest little house compressor and it just screams through 6mm plate - I use a tip about every 5 minutes though but they only cost me about 50 cents each (I think).

[jmac]

OK I've come to my senses (by my definition, no one elses) I'll start saving for a transmig 200. My question is -bearing in mind it'll be a good 2-3 months before I have the dough saved up. anybody out there have a good hookup for them (I"m in melbourne, so far haven't found any prices (new) under $1200). Prices might pehaps go up in the interim, but at least if I know the best prices out there currently, I'd look at the same vendors when I have the dough, assuming they'd still be the best value, even if overall prices have gone up.

[bigmuz]

There is good news John- CIG have a cheaper inverter powered mig coming to the market in the next couple of moths. It will be around th$1200 territory and be able to do much more than mig.. Save some bucks and hang tight if you want a well supported machine that is maybe half way between the chinese and the pro cigweld machines in price.

[RotaUte]

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI....m=400130001192

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI....m=370398308295

They're the same unit, just diff colour

I have this exact Mig and it kicks ass. Had it for about 2 years not and have done a fair bit of welding it it. Usually weekend stuff, but I've cranked it pretty hard and done LONG welds with it. Even done thin stuff.

All comes down to whether you're buying it as a home welder or for a full time purpose. If I was buying one for a workshop I'd get a BOC or Hare and Forbes etc brand one

[bigmuz]

Lol @ hare and forbes brand!

That's chinese shit without the cheap price tag man!

[jmac]

Muz - forgive me for my ignorance - but I'm assuming that the 200 currently is transformer powered? If so will the inverter one essentially be, aside from added capabilities, pretty much identical to the transmig 200 in reliability (i.e. same wire feed and other shite??) or will it be a clean slate, not using any of the existing bits and pieces? Is there anywhere online I could have a look at the specs/features, or is it still on the QT until ready for sale??

RotaUte - damn you to hell now I'm wondering again if I should take the friggen risk!

[oldcorollas]

not keen on an aftermarket torch? can convert to something like a lincoln/liquidArc type?

[JZK25]

Just buy a new torch and lead, not expensive at all and can upgrade at the same time.

I've got one of these CIG Migs. http://www.justtools.com.au/images/710000_new.jpg
It's a good unit and cheap at ~$1100.

I also have a WIA 240 and it is nowhere near as good to use unless you are welding girders together.