Before I place an order for a Portamig, give me your thoughts.

[chris y]

Weldequip
https://www.weldequip.com/

I called for a chat first which was very useful, we changed the torch from the one usually in the package to suit the work I'll usually do and added some wire.

 

[chris y]

Just a quick update, I had an e-mail from Steve at Weldequip today to say that the welder is ready and asking when I can have it delivered.

It didnt take too long and I'm very happy with the turnaround time.

Unfortunately I dont think I can be in until next Tuesday so I'll have to wait and just dream about it.

 

[Interdiction]

Just a quick update, I had an e-mail from Steve at Weldequip today to say that the welder is ready and asking when I can have it delivered.

It didnt take too long and I'm very happy with the turnaround time.

Unfortunately I dont think I can be in until next Tuesday so I'll have to wait and just dream about it.

How has the welder been for you ...Any problems

 

[chris y]

Apologies all, I was going to reply about how I got on. I dont have time now but will reply better in the next day or two.

Basically delivery didnt go well at all and I didnt want to come on here and rant until it was all sorted out so I'd calmed down and had some positive feedback to give too.

Once the welder arrived though everything has been great. I've had a play around to see what I can achieve with the famously low Portamig bottom end setting for thin work, just to see if it has a use, I'll post some pics of the result when I can.

 

[Hood]

Apologies all, I was going to reply about how I got on. I dont have time now but will reply better in the next day or two.

Basically delivery didnt go well at all and I didnt want to come on here and rant until it was all sorted out so I'd calmed down and had some positive feedback to give too.

Once the welder arrived though everything has been great. I've had a play around to see what I can achieve with the famously low Portamig bottom end setting for thin work, just to see if it has a use, I'll post some pics of the result when I can.

Seen quite a bit about poor delivery from them recently. I have had 2 machines from TecArc and delivery has been great, wonder why they are having issues now.

 

[bletchmonster]

I think the problem with Tecarc is that they are a small, when compared to the big boys.
We all expect them to turn around orders like outfits that have warehouses full of boxed up ready to go machine at their disposal. Order from Tecarc and they "build you" a welder in Yorkshire. That takes time when things are busy.
They build it, in England, they know how it works, they have all the bits and they know how to fix it!
That said, they could improve their communication!

 

[Hood]

I think the problem with Tecarc is that they are a small, when compared to the big boys.
We all expect them to turn around orders like outfits that have warehouses full of boxed up ready to go machine at their disposal. Order from Tecarc and they "build you" a welder in Yorkshire. That takes time when things are busy.
They build it, in England, they know how it works, they have all the bits and they know how to fix it!
That said, they could improve their communication!

Yes I know that but by the sounds of things it has gotten bad for some reason. My two orders were on time or slightly before on one.

 

[tom 748]

have had a oxford 240-1 for 3 years,great machine

 

[bletchmonster]

Yes I know that but by the sounds of things it has gotten bad for some reason. My two orders were on time or slightly before on one.

I know that you know that, but there's folk out there that don't take it into account. Spose I'm a bit sympathetic as I suffer the same problem when people order stuff listed on my site, some expect a grubby bloke in a shed to ship stuff like amazon!

 

[brightspark]

the problem is having thousands of pounds of stock lying around on the shelf is a big outlay . so firms tend to order near to time of shipment as they only get 1 month credit from supplier .having said that there service and communication leaves a bit to be desired

 

[Hood]

.......having said that there service and communication leaves a bit to be desired

Communication wise I think that has got worse, when I was looking for an Inverter Mig a year or so back I emailed asking a few questions and never got a reply so I emailed again and again no response so I ended up going to R-Tech instead. I was delighted with the R-Tech but may have been equally delighted with the TecArc but I will never know

 

[chris y]

Sorry to give half a story up there fellas, still no time to write more but let me tell you later what actually happened before assuming what went wrong.

The leadtime for the machine up to the point of being ready to ship was no problem at all for a firm that cant keep one of each on the shelf, I was happy with that, I'd have to check the dates but guess it was under 3 weeks, it was the delivery that went wrong and the lack of communication and willingness to fix the problem that caused trouble.

Sorry for half a story, I promise to fill the gaps soon, including the positives.

 

[chris y]

Sorry about the delay.


Anyway, as reported before the leadtime from Technical arc was fine, Steve from weldequip rounded up the delivery leadtime and estimated 3 weeks, in the end it was ready to deliver in less, I was very happy with the build time.


We arranged for delivery on the 6th Feb, I asked whether it was possible to know am or pm, but it wasnt so I took the day off work. No problem there, with such a significant purchase I want to make sure it gets to me OK, I didnt want to take any chances trying to get anyone else to look after it and it is too big and heavy for a neighbour to take.


Weldequip advised that there would be two separate packages delivered, so I need to be in for both.


On the day I waited and waited, I'd had an email with courier details so tried to use it to track the delivery but the tracking number didnt show anything so I rang Weldequip, I guess at 3.30 ish.

Steve told me that there was no tracking info because the package from him (accessories) hadnt been picked up as planned the day before so would be a day late. He said dont worry because I'll still get the welder and could re-arrange the accessory delivery online. I pointed out that had I not called him I wouldnt have know to re-arrange and would have waited in until late. Just a phone call or text or e-mail would have been the right thing, just good customer service.

Anyway, Steve confirmed that the welder was coming and would be delivered before 6.


I waited, nothing was delivered, and no communication.


I can tell you all that I was very annoyed, to put it lightly, as I explained to Steve I get 9 flexible holidays a year and I’d used one of them to stay in the house all day and receive nothing, and with no communication about the welder.


I emailed Steve late on and to his credit he replied late on the night and said he would get onto Tech Arc the next day.

There were several calls in all directions the next day, Steve had had very strong words indeed with Tech Arc and pushed them to sort out delivery at a time I could accept it, ideally after 5.15 that day. Tech Arc were not much help, said they would call later if the pallet company could deliver.

They called back and said they would deliver it at 3 to 3.30 or so. They had taken no notice of what I told them. I was at work. They said, its OK he can leave it with someone or outside, I said a neighbour cant take something so big (it always ends up being the elderly neighbour next door). They wanted to leave it outside, I said that if they did I accept no responsibility for damage or theft, it would be stupid to leave a £700 machine outside.

They said then that they would give me the couriers details so I could sort it out myself, I said no, I think its there responsibility. She said that this had already taken a lot of her time and she wasn’t getting her work done.


Honestly, it was too much trouble for her to sort out a cock up that was their responsibility and offer good customer service, it was as if I was asking too much.

I insisted that she had to sort it out. She said maybe it can be delivered on Friday (I’d told her I finish early) but only if the driver was in the area. I said what if he isn’t, she said we’ll have to wait until I’m off work another time.


I was very angry, she really thinks I wanted to spend a lot of money on a quality british product and not actually want it until Easter when I’m next off, and that I would want to spend a day off with my Daughter in the Easter hols waiting in again for something that may arrive.

I told her that if they failed to deliver on Friday Tech Arc needs to take responsibility for getting it to me, even if it means making different arrangements, or taking it off that courier to get it delivered. She seemed to think that if the courier couldn’t deliver it was my problem, they couldn’t control it.


Anyway, to end the story, it did get delivered on the Friday, three days late and I’d completely wasted a very valuable (to me) day, and the poor lady at Tech Arc had wasted a little time not being very helpful.


Throughout this Steve from Weldequip constantly kept in touch and tried to push Tech Arc.



I’ll post some pics soon but other than that delivery fiasco the machine is everything it should be, as is the accessories from Weldequip.


It’s a fine machine, and works well. One easy improvement opportunity for some people (its mentioned by someone further up) is related to the rear axle.

The size generally isn’t huge and its easy to move, but the gas bottle tray, which has the axle on it could be improved for people with space issues. One day I might make a new tray as it unbolts, and shorten it, then put non swivel wheels under it, the same size as the fronts. The back wheels and axle stick out a lot.


I’ve had a play, especially with the low settings that its know for and managed to weld some very thin material, I don’t think I’ll need it so low for any normal work but it was interesting. I’ll post some pics soon.

Apologies for the length of that.

 

[Hood]

Sorry about the delay.


Anyway, as reported before the leadtime from Technical arc was fine, Steve from weldequip rounded up the delivery leadtime and estimated 3 weeks, in the end it was ready to deliver in less, I was very happy with the build time.


We arranged for delivery on the 6th Feb, I asked whether it was possible to know am or pm, but it wasnt so I took the day off work. No problem there, with such a significant purchase I want to make sure it gets to me OK, I didnt want to take any chances trying to get anyone else to look after it and it is too big and heavy for a neighbour to take.


Weldequip advised that there would be two separate packages delivered, so I need to be in for both.


On the day I waited and waited, I'd had an email with courier details so tried to use it to track the delivery but the tracking number didnt show anything so I rang Weldequip, I guess at 3.30 ish.

Steve told me that there was no tracking info because the package from him (accessories) hadnt been picked up as planned the day before so would be a day late. He said dont worry because I'll still get the welder and could re-arrange the accessory delivery online. I pointed out that had I not called him I wouldnt have know to re-arrange and would have waited in until late. Just a phone call or text or e-mail would have been the right thing, just good customer service.

Anyway, Steve confirmed that the welder was coming and would be delivered before 6.


I waited, nothing was delivered, and no communication.


I can tell you all that I was very annoyed, to put it lightly, as I explained to Steve I get 9 flexible holidays a year and I’d used one of them to stay in the house all day and receive nothing, and with no communication about the welder.


I emailed Steve late on and to his credit he replied late on the night and said he would get onto Tech Arc the next day.

There were several calls in all directions the next day, Steve had had very strong words indeed with Tech Arc and pushed them to sort out delivery at a time I could accept it, ideally after 5.15 that day. Tech Arc were not much help, said they would call later if the pallet company could deliver.

They called back and said they would deliver it at 3 to 3.30 or so. They had taken no notice of what I told them. I was at work. They said, its OK he can leave it with someone or outside, I said a neighbour cant take something so big (it always ends up being the elderly neighbour next door). They wanted to leave it outside, I said that if they did I accept no responsibility for damage or theft, it would be stupid to leave a £700 machine outside.

They said then that they would give me the couriers details so I could sort it out myself, I said no, I think its there responsibility. She said that this had already taken a lot of her time and she wasn’t getting her work done.


Honestly, it was too much trouble for her to sort out a cock up that was their responsibility and offer good customer service, it was as if I was asking too much.

I insisted that she had to sort it out. She said maybe it can be delivered on Friday (I’d told her I finish early) but only if the driver was in the area. I said what if he isn’t, she said we’ll have to wait until I’m off work another time.


I was very angry, she really thinks I wanted to spend a lot of money on a quality british product and not actually want it until Easter when I’m next off, and that I would want to spend a day off with my Daughter in the Easter hols waiting in again for something that may arrive.

I told her that if they failed to deliver on Friday Tech Arc needs to take responsibility for getting it to me, even if it means making different arrangements, or taking it off that courier to get it delivered. She seemed to think that if the courier couldn’t deliver it was my problem, they couldn’t control it.


Anyway, to end the story, it did get delivered on the Friday, three days late and I’d completely wasted a very valuable (to me) day, and the poor lady at Tech Arc had wasted a little time not being very helpful.


Throughout this Steve from Weldequip constantly kept in touch and tried to push Tech Arc.



I’ll post some pics soon but other than that delivery fiasco the machine is everything it should be, as is the accessories from Weldequip.


It’s a fine machine, and works well. One easy improvement opportunity for some people (its mentioned by someone further up) is related to the rear axle.

The size generally isn’t huge and its easy to move, but the gas bottle tray, which has the axle on it could be improved for people with space issues. One day I might make a new tray as it unbolts, and shorten it, then put non swivel wheels under it, the same size as the fronts. The back wheels and axle stick out a lot.


I’ve had a play, especially with the low settings that its know for and managed to weld some very thin material, I don’t think I’ll need it so low for any normal work but it was interesting. I’ll post some pics soon.

Apologies for the length of that.

Definitely not the best of service from the sounds of it and nothing worse than waiting in for something that doesn't turn up especially if you have taken a day off.
I was lucky in that respect as I ordered both my machines from my local dealer so went and picked them up myself when they arrived, they would have delivered to me if I had wanted as they do a van run around the area but I preferred to pick up myself.

I think if I had been in your shoes I would have told them where to go and gone and bought something else, just like I did with the R-Tech when TecArc didn't reply to my emails asking about their product.
It is a shame really as both the Tig and Plasma I have had from them I have liked but a good machine is only part of the whole experience of buying a welder/plasma etc. The machine can be the best in the world but if the backup service is poor then it may be worth going elsewhere.

 

[chris y]

No pic of the machine, sorry, but you can look at the website and it looks just like it should.

Anyway I had a play around at the lowest settings to see what could be done, not that this is any practical use but it gives an idea of capability and stability at very low currents. For me stability of wire feed and arc is the main reason for buying a good machine when choosing something that will often be doing car bodywork.

Anyway, I put in some 0.6 wire, turned the roller round for 0.6 and put a 0.6 tip in the torch, machine prep done. Gas is Argoshield light.

I set up a couple of bits of 50mm box section on the bench to provide a way to line up the sheets and give a fresh air gap underneath. It would have been much easier with the sheets backed with something to take heat away and support them but I wanted the most difficult conditions.
The challenge is to weld a continuous bead, no thin metal pulsing technique, with no backing and a butt weld on thin material.



I had a go at welding some pieces of 0.6 409 stainless, because I have some, butt welded and with no heatsink not the easiest.

I should say that I'm an occasional amateur and its a while since I've done any serious welding so excuse the technique and wavy lines.

Anyway, it welds no problem after a bit of a play with the wire feed










Next for a bit more difficult challenge I tried some 0.4mm 409 stainless, however when I measured it it was only 0.37 thick, it felt like steel paper its so thin.

The only way I could get such thin material to butt together and have fresh air underneath was to close up the gap in the box section and lay the join over it diagonally.






To be fair the welding is very poor, but it proves the point that you can run a continuous bead on extremely thin material with a Portamig






Maybe not a lot of practical use but an interesting challenge.

Car body thickness should be no trouble with this machine once I get a bit back into it.

 

[chris y]

An update.

I've done some work in the year (nearly) that I've had it, not a lot though but a few small jobs. Generally no problems at all.

A couple of weeks ago I went to continue a job I'd been doing a few days earlier. Car body work, 0.6 wire, Argoshield light.

I found that I needed to wind up the wire feed further than I'd left it set, it seemed high but as the machine was working I didnt think too much of it.
Next day I went back and again had no wire feed, this time I had to turn the wire feed up to 8 to get anything useful.

I did a bit of testing, on voltage step 6 there was no feed below wire feed 8, on step 12 no feed below 5.

I called Tech Arc, the person there asked me if I would mind adjusting the pots that set max and min wire feed, although they were unlikely to be the cause as the machine had previously been fine.
I did that and called back to say that it hadnt worked, in fact on step 1 it was impossible to get any feed at all so impossible to set the minimum.

They said that if I want to I could remove the board and send it to them as it was the most likely cause. The machine is under warranty but they explained that shipping cost would be my responsibility so sending the faulty machine back would be costly.

I removed the board and sent it so cost to me for insured post was only £7.50.

Less than a week later the board arrived back, there was no info with it but the sensible assumption was that it had been fixed so I refitted it last night. Sure enough the problem is solved.

I just thought I'd add to the thread so that anyone reading understands how the customer service works, on this occasion its a good resolution.

 

[bwservices]

I have had good experiences with tecarc,but I will say theres a woman who sometimes answers the phone that is nothing but a frustration to deal with

 

[Memmeddu]

May be good enough for you an esab rebel?

 

[chris y]

I have had good experiences with tecarc,but I will say theres a woman who sometimes answers the phone that is nothing but a frustration to deal with

I think I've mentioned that exact woman back up the thread when I had the delivery fiasco. Your description is too kind.
Frankly she is a nightmare to deal with, no idea whatsoever about customer service.
When I called about this problem she answered the phone with the same attitude and I knew immediately that it was the same person.
Luckily for me she put me on to one of the technical people and thats who I dealt with from there on, which was no problem.

Her complete unwillingness to accept any responsibility when my machine delivery went wrong and the attitude she had with me would be enough to make me think twice about using them.
Harsh but factual I'm afraid.

 

[bwservices]

a four letter word beginning with c