Kemppi Kempact RA 323A or esab rebel 320ic?

[cianh91]

Sorry my bad was a Kem pact pulse 3000 we had . Ran 1.2 no problem in spray we ran stainless mild steel and aluminium with it and it never gave a bit of trouble . Can’t quote on the one your asking about but iv used lots of kemppi machines and never had an issue

 

[Brad93]

Sorry my bad was a Kem pact pulse 3000 we had . Ran 1.2 no problem in spray we ran stainless mild steel and aluminium with it and it never gave a bit of trouble . Can’t quote on the one your asking about but iv used lots of kemppi machines and never had an issue

Oh yes not bad them.

the RA range is a cheap kemppi product to compete with the low end market

 

[cianh91]

Oh yes not bad them.

the RA range is a cheap kemppi product to compete with the low end market

Ye I’m a year gone from that job mixed up the machines . Couldn fault the kemppi do we’d a fronius out on test before it and the only difference we found was the fronius was a bit more user friendly for setting up

 

[Tangledfeet]

When your back our way Brad ill invite you and Hugh to one of my work shops and ill try to convert you to a paton

I'd love a shot on a Paton AC/DC TIG. I was curious about getting one a while back until it was pointed out on here that you can't use a pedal with them for AC current control.

 

[Tally]

I've heard good things about Kempacts from others who have them in Sweden and Finland and one in Germany. I can tell some of the negative comments are from single phase users, perhaps that subtype is more problematic for some reason? All the others I've heard good of were 3 phase models.

Yeah exactly.. thats another reason im going to 3 phase as they seem to be more reliable in the long run

 

[Tally]

No personal experience of either, but I've heard enough bad stories about the Kempact RA series to make me want to steer clear. Heard plenty bad stories about the Rebels too, but most of them are single phase... the big boy 320 might be different? I dunno... glad it's not my money anyway.
I like both brands, they make some cracking machines (the older Kempomat migs we have are absolutely flawless, and I'd have an Aristomig) I just think both of those machines are built down to a price, and it shows.

what's your absolute requirements for a machine?
300 amps +?
Multiprocess inverter?
Compact? Or workshop use only?
Price? Or quality?

If it's getting as much use as you suggest, I'd be looking up a notch at Aristomigs, speedtecs, and offerings from EWM, Lorch, Fronius... double your current budget, but a lot more flexible for aluminium, stainless etc and made for proper work.

the most expensive i can afford without getting stabbed by the missus is something like this https://www.weldingsuppliesdirect.c...Zn0cVh_y5Lc0lZcwQ0ndbyNwUKHn4sEwaAg2KEALw_wcB

I would LOVE a fronius but the only one id consider is a transsteel 3500c but yes i do agree with you.. I giving millers a good look atm.. im happy with a dedicated mig only welder but my budget is ideally around 2k but depending how good the machine is feature wise i may stretch it to 3k

 

[Tally]

Oh yes not bad them.

Ye I’m a year gone from that job mixed up the machines . Couldn fault the kemppi do we’d a fronius out on test before it and the only difference we found was the fronius was a bit more user friendly for setting up

what kemppi did you have and did you like it ?

 

[Robbie260]

Have you considered a second hand Ewm picomig 305 or 355 by any chance, or Lorch, the Ewm isn't the most feature filled welder but they are good solid units, I'm seriously considering the 180 picomig it's baby single phase brother. Or you may be able too get a 3 phase Ewm Phoenix within budget, I think @Hood has 2 the first one he got second hand on a good deal. Have heard miller's are a bit hit or miss in Europe and customer service leaves a lot too be desired.

 

[Hood]

Have you considered a second hand Ewm picomig 305 or 355 by any chance, or Lorch, the Ewm isn't the most feature filled welder but they are good solid units, I'm seriously considering the 180 picomig it's baby single phase brother. Or you may be able too get a 3 phase Ewm Phoenix within budget, I think @Hood has 2 the first one he got second hand on a good deal. Have heard miller's are a bit hit or miss in Europe and customer service leaves a lot too be desired.

I only have 1 now, sold the Phoenix 330 a month or two back, good thing is it is my step brothers that bought it so if I ever need to use it I can

 

[davidjohnperry]

the most expensive i can afford without getting stabbed by the missus is something like this https://www.weldingsuppliesdirect.c...Zn0cVh_y5Lc0lZcwQ0ndbyNwUKHn4sEwaAg2KEALw_wcB

I would LOVE a fronius but the only one id consider is a transsteel 3500c but yes i do agree with you.. I giving millers a good look atm.. im happy with a dedicated mig only welder but my budget is ideally around 2k but depending how good the machine is feature wise i may stretch it to 3k

That Miller looks smart i forgot to ask what is it you need the bigger welder for

 

[Tally]

That Miller looks smart i forgot to ask what is it you need the bigger welder for

10-16MM steel flat bar using spray transfer etc.. cant get a bigger single phase supply in for a oxford so i gotto go the 3 phase route. But would like a pulse mig to do out of postion welding too

 

[davidjohnperry]

I've not played with pulse much only tried it in stick it's pretty good but I've never played with it in mig might try it when my new 3phase unit turns up. Have you tried locally in your welding suppliers see whats on offer. Last time I was at a suppliers the owner was demoing a sif plant which had all the bells and whistles and stated its warranty was all UK based it looked impressive. As I'm just the pointer and shooter I don't know what goes inside these machines but I've always been told its not the machine its the customer service if the machine packs up

 

[Munkul]

I'd be putting my money into something used. A Lorch or something. There's a nice S3 on ebay that I've had lots of want for, but spent last years capital funds already lol
An s3 gives you state of the art pulse (well the used one is one gen behind) on steel, stainless and aluminium, has a great feeder setup, and 320 amps is well enough for what you need it for - it's well enough for most fab work full stop, really

 

[Tom Orrow L]

I'd love a shot on a Paton AC/DC TIG. I was curious about getting one a while back until it was pointed out on here that you can't use a pedal with them for AC current control.

They’ve just bought a pedal out

 

[Tally]

I'd recommend this to be honest

Paton PSI 350 Pulse MIG Welder - 400V

Key Features 15MM maximum weld thickness on mild steel Industrial grade welding machine Pulse MIG, TIG & MMA 15KG maximum wire reel capacity Made in Europe 4 roll wire feeder 5 year warranty

www.weldingsuppliesdirect.co.uk

I've ran the 250 with no issues for the last 4 years and I've just purchased the 350 I've ran the esab 235 on demo it was nice but it didn't blow me away only advantage it had was it would run a 6010 welding rod but I don't run enough to warrant the need and the kempomats I have no experience with except the proper old school ones and they never let me down but were really never used much in anger to be honest

can you take a picture of the back plate? im curious to see its duty cycle info and input power requirements.. also how is the pulse mig on it? does it actually allow out of position spray?

 

[davidjohnperry]

I can of my 250 my 350 is still being processed its a few weeks out of being delivered. I've personal not used pulse mig because I've never personally seen the benefits. Plus I'm not sure how to use it in real world applications as well as most the companies I've worked for don't speck it in there wps. If pulse is a must then @HughF has used his machine on ally with pulse and said it was great. I weld out of position sometimes and just use vertical setting and light end of spray 26-27 volts. But I think of the top of my head the 3 phase paton is like 290 amps at 100% duty cycle

 

[DennisCA]

The Kempact pulse 3000 was the one with the good reputation (sad to see Kemppi trying to build down to a price, that hurts the whole lines image). Maybe that could work if you could find it second hand.

 

[Munkul]

Kemppi still have a good reputation with their fastmig ranges - seen quite a few in pressure vessel workshops and they're spoken favourably of.

However, I'd had two seperate dealers tell me they're no good in wet and cold farm workshops... for what that's worth. But same dealers don't like selling inverters to farmers in the first place.

 

[DennisCA]

I prefer obsolete technology anyway. My Kempomat 2500 is almost too modern for my tatest. A Kempomat 320 would've been nicer.

 

[davidjohnperry]

can you take a picture of the back plate? im curious to see its duty cycle info and input power requirements.. also how is the pulse mig on it? does it actually allow out of position spray?

This is the back of my 250 paton and I believe its far better to the rebel I've not use a newer kemppi so I can't compare it hope this helps