UNIMIG VIPER 180 AC/DC TIG (NOT A TOY) Better audio
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- Опубліковано 9 вер 2020
- Work got me a new welder!! Lets do a review.
MACHINE SPECIFICATIONS
PRIMARY INPUT VOLTAGE 240V Single Phase
SUPPLY PLUG 10 AMP
RATED INPUT POWER (kVA) 5.20
Ieff (A) 8.9
RATED OUTPUT 5-180A
NO LOAD VOLTAGE (V) 7-55
PROTECTION CLASS IP21S
INSULATION CLASS F
POWER FACTOR 0.7
MINIMUM GENERATOR (kVA) 9.0
DINSE CONNECTOR 35/50
STANDARD AS/NZ60974-1
SUITABLE MATERIAL
Mild Steel, Stainless Steel, Cast Iron, Silicon Bronze, Copper, Aluminium, Zinc Alloys
WARRANTY (2 Years)
TIG FUNCTION TYPE AC/DC HF TIG / AC/DC Pulse
TIG WELDING CURRENT RANGE 5-180A
TIG DUTY CYCLE @ 40°C 15% @ 180A
TIG WELDING THICKNESS RANGE 1-8mm
STICK WELDING CURRENT RANGE 10-130A
STICK DUTY CYCLE @ 40°C 10% @ 130A
STICK ELECTRODE RANGE 2.5-3.2mm
STICK WELDING THICKNESS RANGE 8mm
ARC FORCE 0-40
SIZE & WEIGHT
DIMENSIONS (mm) 502*218*382mm
WEIGHT (kg) 12.8kg
VRD. Yes
FOOT CONTROL CONNECTION. Yes (UTJCFC-4)
THERMAL OVERLOAD PROTECTION - Навчання та стиль
I love my welder and having read the comments I finally understand the AC balance... thank you and subscribed :)
New welder looks like a nice machine and your welding skills are getting pretty slick now. :)
Cheers for the video & review! That torch was unexpected but that collet design is definitely interesting, looks like they won't distort anywhere near as easy or often as the oldschool copper ones. I'm sold =)
Entertaining and informative - nice work!
Wow looks like it came with everything really nice
i just bought one of these and am totally a newbie to tig welding but i must admit i totally love this machine its just sooo configurable and has tonns of grunt. slowly learning to use it and can see its going to be an awesome machine with especially with a good driver!! Thanks for sharing you made my decision what to buy an easy one!! love it and highly recommended !!!
Instablaster...
Great review, can you go through to settings as you used from start to finish for 1.6 stainless please.
Awesome vid
Nice review. I have recently purchased a razor320. But am not happy with the 4t/s function as I have to press and hold the trigger to initiate the down slope and it's really hard if you are working back to front upside down. I'm used to tapping the trigger once and it down sloping by itself.
Bingo!! 😂😂
Great to hear the commentary, 😂. Can you do me a favour and box up some of your skills and..... nah, nah.... Can you please put a rubber stopper over the end of your plug guard to save from gashing your leg (worst case scenario) in your "oops" moment.
Again, great little machine, very versatile, and great skills shown.
Thanks for posting.
Good review I just picked mine up and was looking if anyone has reviewed this
Nice video very helpful
could you do a review on the MICHIGAN 200A ACDC from total tools? cant seem to find any videos on them at all
Your review features on the Unimig web page for this welder ;-)
Would this welder stitch 6mm aluminium?
Could you possibly explain the difference between this machine and the Viper 185 for a noob?
awesome video. New subscriber here that machine.
Thanks Steven
Man, great video! Will purchase one in this March 3 day sale (2021). For a helmet, would you recommend the larger the screen the better? Also, you seem to love your work, which is also fantastic :)
With your helmet selection, make sure it is recommended for Tig welding. Cheap helmets aren't sensitive enough to pick up a Tig welders soft ark and you end up getting flashed more often than not. Field of view is not really a game changer in my opinion. WIA BLUE HELMET - 235620 is what I use at work. As long as the lens is clean and the delay and sensitivity setting is right up it works great for a sub $200 welding cap.
Hope this helps
👍
great video, thanks. I have had the 180 for about 6 months now, I am a total TIG newby, so your information is a great help. What settings would you use for aluminum without pulse?
For 3mm 120amp to 130amp
AC balance still -2
AC Hz 120
Down slope 4
3 to 4 posts gas to keep your tungsten happy as it cools.
Word of advice... make sure your current weld cart is stable enough to hold this behemoth.
Though I am impressed with how well built it is, weld cart tipped over on its side and sustained no damage.
Yeh I was so surprised when I saw it alongside the 200, the 180 so much bigger. I think it must be the same chassis as the Viper 185 Multi, but that holds a MIG spool inside ;/
Very nice work that you do, I have watched both of your videos with the 200 and 180, they look like a great machine, I am a tig novice and looking to get the 180, I have two questions if you have the time to answer, will this welder be ok for thin 1 or 1.2mm sheet aluminium, im guessing that the wide pulse settings should help, and have you used the latest foot pedal from Hare and Forbes with the machine, I have been told that it is hard to modulate the pedal but and get another aftermarket pedal, im not sure if its true or not so would rather ask someone in the know, thanks Greg
With a 1.6mm tungsten you should be able to weld thing alloy no worries. Use the thinnest filler wire you can find as well. Haven't used their pedal, so I can't comment.
Thanks mate 👍
Hey love your video's, Just curious of your welder is performing in the work place?
Still going strong. Gets used every day covering 2 shifts. I'm very happy with it.
It looks like a good beginer machine ,how does it compare to razor?
Very helpful video, thanks!
However. I wouldn't trash the box it came in until I'd checked that:
a) it isn't made in China
and,
b) all features of the item work properly!
Also, when unboxing these items, it's often easiest to fold all the flaps out, turn it upside down, and lift the box off. But, check first that this is not going to result in any fragile accessories falling out and smashing.
Hey Man love your review. can you tell me if its worth spending the extra money on the 200a razor. cheers
If you're going to be welding for a living, yes. It has the edge when it comes to quality. It's lighter smaller and has more power.
Nice trolley mod
I thought being a pro you would use razor. Id love to upgrade from the 182 mk2 but I’m struggling with the settings as it is Haha
Hi Mate, love the video. Very informative.
I was thinking of buying a unimig viper 185 mig/tig/stick welder. I have used Arc Welders in the past, but it would be nearly 20 years ago and it was aways trial and error.
Are these unimig machines easy for a newbie to understnad (all the settings you were talking about in the video) left me scratching my head. AND there isn't much left on top to scratch off.
Hi John
The viper 185 is a nice basic machine.
You won't need any head scratching knowledge for that one. Just a general understanding with a bit of practice will be enough 👍
Thanks. I think I’ll go for it.
I have the 200amp and honest iam loveing it like you iam a new to tig , you wont regret it ,
great video, thanks. What setting would you recommend for 1.6 mm aluminum without pulse and with pulse?
For 1.6 mm aluminium
Pulse
Peak amp's 80 to 85
Base amp's 24
AC Hz 100
AC balance -2
Pulse Hz 0.8
P % 40
This might need some adjustment, but should be a good starting point for pulse.
No pulse
60 to 65 amp's
Down slope 2.5
AC Hz 100
AC balance -2
3 seconds of post gas for your tungsten.
@@LittleAussieRockets Thanks
Looking at buying the viper180 vs the razor200 tig torch.
After having used it for 6-12 months and far more experienced than I, do you prefer the versatility of 10amp vs the slight power different and added functionality of the 15amp and worth buying the razor for?
Taking into considering I’m really only planning to hobby weld with this and on my projects.
For what you are going to be doing the 180 would be great. I use the 180 more than the 200, the 20 Amps difference has not been a factor in any of the job's I've done. The razor 200 is a higher quality machine for sure, more compact and lightweight. The 10 amp plug on the viper 180 makes it a lot more versatile.
Both are excellent machines and welding with them is a joy.
Where abouts do you work ?
Love the review, im looking at buying one whats it like Tig welding on thin sheet steel ie car panels ? 👍
Pretty good. Particularly when using the pulse function, you can do some really nice work on thing stuff.
@@LittleAussieRockets your a legend cheers youve convinced me 👍👌 now how about a demo video for us car enthusiasts trying to weld 1.0 mm mild steel panel steel ? 😂😂😂 that would be awsome and explain this pulse function for us newbys cheers 👍
Have you bought the new 17 head that is available for these torches! I’m waiting for mine to arrive
I have not. For work we did buy an 8 meter work lead that had a standard 17 on it. For my Razor I have to make an adaptor, I love the feel that hand piece. Good to know 👍
What thickness would it tig weld aluminium and stainless, saw online 1-8mm ? Great demo, for a first time tig welder would this be the best choice. Up here in NQ total tools have but not with your extras where did you get in Forbes.
It will comfortably weld 3mm aluminium all day long, any thicker and I think you would be running into issues with the Duty cycle of the machine and the tig torch. Could it weld thicker, yes, but for how long.
I have melted tig torches in my hands on big jobs, I know now to stop when my hands are burning through my gloves 😂
8mm would be for DC welding. I would half that for AC welding.
VIPER™ TIG 180 AC/DC - Multi-Function Inverter TIG/MMA (ARC) Welder Package Deal
5-180A, #KUM-M-VTIG180ACDC
Includes Consumable Pack & Magnetic Tig Torch Holder
From Hare and Forbes
Haha I thought you bought it in Forbes NSW, we don’t have them up here. What about stainless would that be the same up to 3mm ?
@@fisheater844 stainless steel is a DC process, so with proper preparation 8mm would be fine and 3mm stainless steel is just ideal for this machine
Hi mate good vid would you recommend this welder for welding work on aluminium toolboxes?
For repairs yes. For manufacturing/industrial, no. You would need something with a water cooled torch.
Hi, thanks for the vid.
Would you recommend this for a novice tig welder?
I have a CIG inverter arc welder and cannot decide if a mig would be a better option.
I'm a bit hooked on learning how to tig weld
Yes I would recommend this welder. My only regret in learning how to TIG weld was buying a cheap machine at the beginning. This welder would have been a much better option.
Yes, I learned that lesson with my first arc welder!
In hindsight, I should've bought a mig welder when I upgraded my arc but funds were tight.
Would you tig weld regular mild steel jobs in the absence of a mig welder.
@@oraziobarbagallo1609 most general fabrication jobs would be MIG welded in mild steel, you can lay down a lot of weld quickly. A TIG welder is for speciality jobs like roll cage's fuel tanks exhaust systems, pressure vessels. Where strength and beauty is required.
Work on that undercut, nice job btw
Thanks, appreciate the content.
Having never welded before and wanting to get into metal fab, I liked the idea of getting a multi machine that would do MMA, MIG, and AC/DC TIG, but it's probably overkill. I would probably be better off with an MMA/TIG machine, so I'm wondering if not having the ability to MIG limits the type of material I can weld?
Most dc tigs will weld mild steel ac is mainly alloy , i was like you ? Thinking why , will i use ac , but the cost wasnt much difference , only a couple of hundred bucks , so i bought the acdc tig , havent regreted it
I did get in contact about TIG torches with Unimig on their website and they mentioned they'd be releasing a adaptor head for standard TIG consumables, don't quote me on it, but I think they'll release it in less than a year or so? Either way, great review of the 180, I've been debating buying one of those or a 200 so it's good to see what it does. 👌
Ive been the same , from the 180 up to the 200amp is only a few 100 extra , so my choice is the 200amp , main reason is the 2t and 4 t trigger , press on and leave ,,
@@timothyrouse2853 the 180 has the same function only difference is 20 amps and maybe duty cycle
@@lessworkmorefishing3882 mine is connected to 20, amp power , here in australia ,the difference in cost was around 100 bucks between the 180 ,and the 200 amp
What is your welder you use at home . What is the better machine . Thanks for your time
Unimig Razor 200 AC/DC is my machine and It's the better of the two for my needs. More compact with more amps but a 15amp plug. As far as duty cycle is considered I haven't managed to max out either of the machines.
would you recommend the Viper 180 10A over the the Razor 200 15A ?
I use both welders on a regular basis and both are fine machines. The razor is more compact, weighs less and has 20 extra amps.The Razor is a better made machine, this is reflected in the price.
The Viper is a cheaper welder but is still very capable and has the 10A plug with all the bells and whistles.
For me and my needs, it's the Razor.
Looks great, have the Razor 200. Fantastic machine. Can anyone explain the AC balance setting on the Unimig's -10 to +10?
You mentioned -2 was the 30/70 can you clarify?
Cheers
0 is 50/50 AC balance. So -1 is 40/60, and - 2 is 30/70 so on and so forth. 👍
I have one and I find it unusual that the cooling fan does not come on when the machine is turned on. I was told it only comes on if required.
Is this normal practice?
Yes that's correct.
Yeah your right you don't modify the power cable on your welder you modify or make 15a extension lead 😉
Hey mate, are you able to put a foot pedal on this rig? Cheers
Absolutely!
yeah that's not right! I don't know if you still believe what you were saying how AC balance works on the Viper as this video was done a year ago? I believed the same as I have the same machine, BUT things weren't changing much when the AC balance was turned from -10 to +10 compared to other machines I've used. So I contacted Unimig and this was their response as to how the AC balance on the Viper 180 works.
The AC Balance on the VIPER 180 AC/DC is synergically calculated based on what your inputted parameters are. When you adjust the AC Balance on the machine, you are actually adjusting this calculated value up to 10% above or below the value.
If you set it to above 0, you will increase the cleaning but decrease the penetration, and if you set it below 0, you will decrease the cleaning and increase the penetration of the weld.
So I read from that you can only adjust the AC balance value 10% above or below what the Viper calculates according to the other settings. Not really ideal in my opinion compared to other machines that just have a dial to set the percentage of balance and not a setting the machine decides and you don't really know what it is!
I'm happy with the results I've got out of it being a 10amp welder. I'm glad I didn't pay full price, bought it on sale for just over a grand and am already eyeing another acdc machine.
Can you recommend a welder for around $6-$700aud that will do mig/tig with a pulse setting? I'm looking for a new toy and honestly I'm a better grinder than I am a welder lol. Do pulse function welders come in at this price point? The brief search I've done is roughly $1400aud. Just subscribed too as I like the cut of your jib. 😉
Remember ? You get what you payfor ?
What size tungsten did you use on the aluminium
2.4 mm lanthanated from memory
How are you rating the welder after a months use day to day
It's still going strong. have been pipe welding for the last 3 weeks, it's doing a great job I only wish it was a little bit lighter.
Did u use it with a foot pedal. Im strugglin controlling heat without one.
No. Once you get the handle of the pulse settings you don't really need one.
Something I used to do when I started out what is the set the down slope for 4 seconds or longer. What this does as the heat begins to build-up, you just let off on the button and allow the downslope to bring the amps down until the heat gets more manageable and then you just ramp again. You end up feathering the switch to control the heat. Just remember as you get to the end of the world to let go of the button at the appropriate time.👍
@@LittleAussieRockets i see, will give it a go.
Thanks
Can you please explain the ac balance more?
I don't understand how -2 is 30/70.
That has me lost (I just bought this model last week)
No worrys
0 is 50/50 AC balance,
-1 is 40/60
-2 is 30/70
Hope this helps 👊👍
@@LittleAussieRockets Ahh right 50 50 in the middle .
I'm new to ac I've had dc tig for years. and couldn't figure it out.. However your Vid was the only one I could find that said "use this" -2.. Which was good. Thank you for replying.
@@LittleAussieRockets yeah! I don't know if you still believe that as this video was done a year ago? I believed the same as I have the same machine, BUT things weren't changing much when the AC balance was turned from -10 to +10 compared to other machines I've used. So I contacted Unimig and this was their response as to how the AC balance on the Viper 180 works.
The AC Balance on the VIPER 180 AC/DC is synergically calculated based on what your inputted parameters are. When you adjust the AC Balance on the machine, you are actually adjusting this calculated value up to 10% above or below the value.
If you set it to above 0, you will increase the cleaning but decrease the penetration, and if you set it below 0, you will decrease the cleaning and increase the penetration of the weld.
So I read from that you can only adjust the AC balance value 10% above or below what the Viper calculates according to the other settings. Not really ideal in my opinion compared to other machines that just have a dial to set the percentage of balance and not a setting the machine decides and you don't really know what it is!
I'm happy with the results I've got out of it being a 10amp welder. I'm glad I didn't pay full price, bought it on sale for just over a grand and am already eyeing another acdc machine.
i Just brought one today from total tools and i came across 3 problems, im new to unimig im used to cigweld. im not sure if its me or the machine, problem one the gas flow ball stays down even when i try to adjust the gas flow. problem two i can choose 2T and 4T and when i press the button it skips spot i tried ac and dc functions normal and pulse and it seems to skip spot function and the other problem was a electric shock when i started the arc through the feed. is there something i might be doing wrong or is the viper 180 faulty?
I would get in contact directly with Unimig, they are pretty good at getting to the the bottom of these things. Something doesn't sound right.
@@LittleAussieRockets Thanks for your response ive spoke to total tools and im taking it back to them today and ill need to wait till the 6th of Jan for the rep to come out and have a look at it :(.
@@aliiskandar5792 Hi Ali - Day 1 on a Viper 200 today - To set the gas flow you need to have the gas flowing by pressing the blue button on your torch with the torch say 100mm (guess) away from the return (earthed metal surface) but don't waste too much gas - the easy way to get an electric shock is to put yourself between the torch and the return (earthed metal surface) but be careful with electrickery. 2T 4T or Spot I'm working towards. If in any doubt talk to Unimig - Let us know how you go. Greg
What do you reckon is easier
Tig aluminium 3mm or
Spoolgun aluminium 3mm?
I'd say a spool gun is easier but the TIG gives such a nice finish.
@@LittleAussieRockets thankyou.
What pulse settings should I run for mild steel? New to pulse.
What thickness mate
If you're welding similar stuff to what I've used in this video then the same settings should apply except you can go a little bit hotter as mild steel is not as reactive as stainless steel is with not having shielding gas. And mild steel transfers heat much more efficiently so you also need to compensate for that by increasing your amperage
Just practising on scrap from work. About 6-8mm. I'm an apprentice boilermaker but work on structural and only done a little Tig at Tafe.
@@ChocCad1905 use the same settings only increase the pulse % too 50. The thicker the material the higher that number needs to be
With My Tig electrodes tip, it gets black and round balls occur, don't know why this happens. My welding machine has no ac frequency setting as well.
What is the polarity of your tig torch?
What is your gas flow like?
What gas are you running?
@@LittleAussieRockets Hi thanks for the reply. Gas is pure argon 15 bar. The tig torch connected to the minus terminal.
@@moturcu4226 It sounds like the tungsten isn't getting shielded. You may have a slow leak in the gas line. If air gets into the system it will really mess with the tungsten.
On another though, if you dip the tungsten into the world pool do you keep welding or do you stop and grind a fresh tip? what tungsten are running?
Pre gas and post gas is also very important. I always make it habit to tap the button before I weld just to get the gas fresh in the line and when I finish welding I make sure that there's 4 seconds of post gas flow to protect the tungsten while it's cooling down. No post gas will kill your tungsten really quick.
Check your gas line with some soapy water in a spray bottle.
@@LittleAussieRockets "On another though, if you dip the tungsten into the world pool do you keep welding or do you stop and grind a fresh tip?" I keep welding.
"what tungsten is running?" İ am running a white colour tungsten 2.4 mm for aluminium.
After I stop welding 4-5 seconds after gas is still flowing.
I think my welding machine has no ac frequency setting, I think this is the problem. Thank you for your help.
does this weld aluminium
Yes 👍
Was that a brass wire brush on the bench? That will give you all kinds of fun if you clean your ally up with it😆 arc tramp +++
Stainless steel brush actually.
@@LittleAussieRockets I've picked the wrong brush up before now. Scrubbed contamination into the weld site then tried to cap. Nearly made a grown man weep over his rotator. Yeah not poking fun attcha bro,just a memory of a nightmare day at work. 🙂
@@blueskybanshee8013 appreciate you sharing that information. Experience, there is no substitute.
Hi just a question is there much difference between the tig function of your viper and razor?
Both machines are pretty much the same. My welder is a vipers 180 and is just a AC/DC Tig. The 185 viper has the mig and Tig feature, but is just a scratch start Tig. Very basic setup.
@@LittleAussieRockets awesome thanks for the info
Thanks for sharing! If you have a second, we recorded an Eddie Van Halen tribute video. As fellow music fans, we'd love if you'd take a listen. It's on our channel. Don't go too hard on us :)
straight up voided your warranty by telling everyone you are using a hobby welder in a commercial application.