I am a novice welder with a new auto restoration project to get at. All 1.2mm steel but I need to build jigs etc as well probably 5mm thick. I need a mig set and have been offered a new Thermadyne Fabricator 200 at a good price. Looks capable but has anyone any experience of this set? Needs to be v forgiving for this new starter!
- Thread starter minorman
- Start date
gavuk
artful-bodger
- Messages
- 2,951
- Location
- Wilts
I have the 180amp no problems in 2years or so ,bought 2nd hand ,not sure of the lowest amps on the 200amp ,but mine has never run on its lowest settings except for trying it out ,i use it mostly for car work and projects up to 5-6mm on co2 ,its a marked improvement on the sealey 130xt i had before ..If you perform a search on here i think you will find posts saying the build quality and wire feed are not the best ,could be an alluminium transformer rand there is plastic on the wire feeder,but at home i don't need 1.6mm steel body casing or a 4 wheel all steel wirer feeder ....If the price is good ,i would choose it over a new clarke,but the clarke would have a warranty...
There is a PDF manual here:http://europe.thermadyne.com/IM-Uploads/DocLib_174_Fabricator 200 Operating Manual.pdf
The specifications are on page 16. Duty cycle at the upper end looks rather low, but other than that it looks an interesting machine. Lowest amps are 30, so should be okay for bodywork with a bit of care. Needs something more robust than a domestic socket for upper end work.
The specifications are on page 16. Duty cycle at the upper end looks rather low, but other than that it looks an interesting machine. Lowest amps are 30, so should be okay for bodywork with a bit of care. Needs something more robust than a domestic socket for upper end work.
brightspark
Member
- Messages
- 41,369
- Location
- yarm stockton on tees
namely a 40 amp supply for full whack
gavuk
artful-bodger
- Messages
- 2,951
- Location
- Wilts
namely a 40 amp supply for full whack
I run mine on a 13amp plug ....is that wrong then?
....i think the duty cycle is quoted at 30 deg c so expect longer before hitting the thermal cut out than stated .....if it blows up its not my fault
brightspark
Member
- Messages
- 41,369
- Location
- yarm stockton on tees
I run mine on a 13amp plug ....is that wrong then?
better under than over if u can get away with using 13 amp. my 180 amp oilcooled runs at 100 percent on a 13 a plug 
pedrobedro
Man at Matalan
- Messages
- 13,154
- Location
- CX near Chesterfield
I used one a friend had on loan a couple of weeks ago and he has since bought the machine. I was impressed by it, I welded some 18g sheet and some 6mm plate just to try it out and it was fine on both.
you will be fine 