ogwi
New Member
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- 1
Hi all and please feel free to say hello to the newbie!
I'm in the market for a new machine so looking for advice.
I currently have a MIG (SIP Migmate 150 and I know, I know, but I didn't when I bought it several years ago and was new to MIG) and an O/A set. The MIG is mainly used for repairs (agricultural in all senses ) and a bit of fabrication up to 5mm m/steel (feed issues solved but poor duty-cycle a big issue). I mainly use the O/A for heating and cutting with some brazing and a little welding when the need arises.
I've decided to stop messing about with the MIG for larger jobs and add an inverter to the workshop . I'll keep the Migmate for lighter work (until I can afford to, or need to, swap it out as well). One big plus of the inverter for me will be portability (I've an industrial bottle with the MIG which doesn't help), although I'm looking to use 32amp supply in the workshop and may only have 16 when off-site.
However, I last did stick welding just after leaving college in the 80s, when the choice was "buzz-boxes" or oil, so looking for help .
I've been looking through the forum (congrats on the great forum btw ) for thoughts on different machines and companies and I like the look of the IF 180MA sold be W.Equip (100% duty-cycle at 160amps) BUT this SWP 200A machine sold by W.Warehouse (http://www.thewelderswarehouse.com/Welding/Arc_Welder_200B.html) and ToolsOnline.com/Welders.co.uk (http://www.welders.co.uk/Product/Arc_Welders/Arc_Inverters/ARC_200) seems to be boasting of 60% @ 200A which doesn't seen half bad and is 120 squidlies cheaper.
Does anyone have any experience of SWP inverters /know who makes them/ anything else about them or the company/better specs/other suggestions?
If making other suggestions pls bear in mind:
Sorry for the length of first post but I figured best to give you all as much info as I could think of up front (but I'm sure I'll have still left out something! )
Thanks in advance.
I'm in the market for a new machine so looking for advice.
I currently have a MIG (SIP Migmate 150 and I know, I know, but I didn't when I bought it several years ago and was new to MIG) and an O/A set. The MIG is mainly used for repairs (agricultural in all senses ) and a bit of fabrication up to 5mm m/steel (feed issues solved but poor duty-cycle a big issue). I mainly use the O/A for heating and cutting with some brazing and a little welding when the need arises.
I've decided to stop messing about with the MIG for larger jobs and add an inverter to the workshop . I'll keep the Migmate for lighter work (until I can afford to, or need to, swap it out as well). One big plus of the inverter for me will be portability (I've an industrial bottle with the MIG which doesn't help), although I'm looking to use 32amp supply in the workshop and may only have 16 when off-site.
However, I last did stick welding just after leaving college in the 80s, when the choice was "buzz-boxes" or oil, so looking for help .
I've been looking through the forum (congrats on the great forum btw ) for thoughts on different machines and companies and I like the look of the IF 180MA sold be W.Equip (100% duty-cycle at 160amps) BUT this SWP 200A machine sold by W.Warehouse (http://www.thewelderswarehouse.com/Welding/Arc_Welder_200B.html) and ToolsOnline.com/Welders.co.uk (http://www.welders.co.uk/Product/Arc_Welders/Arc_Inverters/ARC_200) seems to be boasting of 60% @ 200A which doesn't seen half bad and is 120 squidlies cheaper.
Does anyone have any experience of SWP inverters /know who makes them/ anything else about them or the company/better specs/other suggestions?
If making other suggestions pls bear in mind:
Support (I've bought from Welders Warehouse before and this has a 12month RTB warranty, not sure about Tools Online. I would go for something second hand/off ebay if cheap enough and a reputable make that I can get support for)
I want a reasonable output and duty-cycle - this will be for 4-10mm m/steel on farm equipment - foot long welds not so unusual (could be 12x 1" welds at the moment ).
Single-phase supply.
MMA, don't need TIG (although I'd probably play if I had the kit)
Budget - If I had the money I'd get an oil cooled Oxford for the workshop, upgrade to MIG to around 270A Portamig or similar AND get an inverter for off-site stuff (possibly even a petrol or diesel generator combi) but I don't so £3-400 is about it (but could squeeze more from the piggy for the right value-for-money.
Sorry for the length of first post but I figured best to give you all as much info as I could think of up front (but I'm sure I'll have still left out something! )
Thanks in advance.