Are 3-1 machines worth it.

[HughF]

The new everlast 3-1 (like the r-tech one but with pulse, same factory, different paint) has HF start on the tig..., Chucke2009 reviewed it the other week.

 

[Kent]

Mm
Of course there are places were hf can't be used and it wasn't all that long back scratch was all there was but I do get the point made
On the stainless pipe crack I was thinking "I can stick that" I don't actually see the tig as being of the most importance talking mobile work
I do think mma is you see you really don't want to be doing structural work with a little mig outside especially so
Likewise many times I am faced with challenging thinner jobs often positional with only a stick plant. A mig would be so much easier and quicker or even to the extent you have to take the thing back to the shop or come back another day (a very costly thing)
Still I do see these things as the future for mobile work etc scratch start or not
Not so keen on AC/DC hf mig mma it starts to sound expensive and a jack of all trades scenario

 

[Kent]

Loch don't make a 240 v inverter mig though do they? And a mobile plant should be 240/110 v interchangeable these days

 

[HughF]

Thermal arc fabricator 252i would probably be high on my list if I was looking for one of these (I have an r-tech MTS-255)

 

[Kent]

Thermal arc fabricator 252i would probably be high on my list if I was looking for one of these (I have an r-tech MTS-255)

It's a bit of a lump and the UK one lacks a handle

 

[HughF]

The R-tech one is a heavy bastard too...

 

[matt1978]

Loch don't make a 240 v inverter mig though do they? And a mobile plant should be 240/110 v interchangeable these days

We used to have something called the A Series in 170 and 220 amp versions, it was a joint venture with another manufacturer who are no longer in Business. For our version, we designed the operating software/synergic lines and front panel, and they designed the Inverter module and housing.

It was also available in a Migatronic and also Thermadyne guise (albeit with different front panel and software which was totally different to the Lorch version) but the weak link was the inverter base.

IIRC it was the only one available at that time (About 10 yrs back) that could take a full 15kg spool.

In the UK it's still the case that on most construction sites 230v is at best frowned upon and in most cases banned. Which leaves 115v and 400v. I am sure you will agree 115v when it comes to "proper" welding is pretty limiting. You can burn a 2.4mm Electrode if your lucky with about 100 amps, although I admit that is often more than enough for repairs. When I refer to "site" welding I mean proper construction sites where they are governed by National Health and Safety laws and even though the contractor would like/prefer to use 230v its simply not allowed.

I can see the merit of one of these machines for smaller welders visiting smaller jobs where a quick repair or weld is required, where there is no independent H&E bloke poking his nose in, but from a manufacturers point of view it does limit the potential market quite a bit. A lot of mobile welders who do a lot of site work tend to have a Diesel genny/welder in the back of the van which can be used for MMA, and drive the inline HF units and "suitcase" type wire feeders for Mig/Mag.

In our range, the smallest (circa 25kgs) would be the P3000 mobile, synergic mig, MMA, ScratchTig with gas management and also has possibility of faster/high deposition mig processes and Rooting processes, but even so, its 400v and certainly not aimed at the DIY/Semi Professional market which most of the 3-1 units tend to be aimed at, obviously not including the EWM 230v Pulse in that.

My main point was that pretty much all serious European and American manufacturers offer a 3-1 machine in 400v but its never marketed as such.

 

[blenkie1]

Agree. In my case if its a good bit of welding I am going to do I take my diesel welder along with a cc/cv wire feeder. Cannot see a 3 in 1 having a good enough duty cycle to do a days work with out cutting out. Although for the majority of my work a 3 in 1 is more than enough and it can live in the van without taking as much space up.

http://www.technicalarc.co.uk/index.php/tecarc-mig/wire-feed-units?page=shop.browse&category_id=26

 

[Kent]

I can't comment on the market more than to say I bet a good 3-1 240/110 will outsell any mig only plant like the caddy
These are not a thing for construction sites nowhere near enough plant for much of the work towable with wire feeder option all the way unless it's a smaller / lighter job on the 110v

 

[EAZEE]

There is a bit of kit you can buy that generates HF for you. It plugs in across your positive and negative and requires no separate power supply. I have no idea how good they are but it does mean any MMA welder or invertor set without HF can be used as a HF TIG set.
Here's a link

http://www.waspsupplies.com/tecarc-...-your-arc-welder-into-a-tig-welder-1403-p.asp