Looking to buy an inverter mig opinions!

[Tinbasherdan]

I'm going to wade in. I have the thermal arc fabricator, lovely little machine, and it has the euro connect torch, in transport the torch gets disconnected, looped up (not too tight!) and lives clipped onto the side of the mask pod on my workbag , I hate carrying sets with a hard wired torch as you can guarantee they will slip out while you're walking up some stairs etc!

 

[daleyd]

I'm going to wade in. I have the thermal arc fabricator, lovely little machine, and it has the euro connect torch, in transport the torch gets disconnected, looped up (not too tight!) and lives clipped onto the side of the mask pod on my workbag , I hate carrying sets with a hard wired torch as you can guarantee they will slip out while you're walking up some stairs etc!

I like those thermal arc fabricators, I have the rtech equivalent but as they have stopped selling them if I was after another machine a TA Fabricator would be top (or near the top) of my list.

 

[Tinbasherdan]

I like those thermal arc fabricators, I have the rtech equivalent but as they have stopped selling them if I was after another machine a TA Fabricator would be top (or near the top) of my list.

I can't recommend it enough, I run that and I also have their 202 ac/dc tig, love their gear

 

[davidjohnperry]

I'm a big ta fan my stick plants been through hell and used by my dad no machine should have to go through that. Even tho you've not brought it has anyone used the lincon unit is it worth the just under the thousand notes

 

[Jim Davey]

I've used the Speetec extensively, the operating system is fiddly and the weld output isnt actually the smoothest you'll find. And no pulse so not so great on ally. EWM beats it hands down.

 

[Richard.]

I've used the Speetec extensively, the operating system is fiddly and the weld output isnt actually the smoothest you'll find. And no pulse so not so great on ally. EWM beats it hands down.

I think he was comparing it to a kemppi Jim. Also the ewm might beat it hands down but it's still 20 amps lighter.

 

[Jim Davey]

Pulse mode makes up for that, the arc energy is higher. Plus, what's 20 amps when you come down to it?

 

[Richard.]

It's a lot.
It's the difference between 5 and 6 mm. Don't get me wrong I'm a fan of ewm and I get why you would recommend them. But at £700-800 more and 20 amps less it's not better in every way.
Miller do a compact inverter with pulse/higher current/less cost.

 

[Richard.]

http://www.waspsupplies.com/miller-...ultifunction-synergic--welder-230v-1680-p.asp

I've not used one but I'd assume they are a good contender.

 

[Tom Orrow L]

Very good contender IMO Richard, Pulsed just like the EWM & plenty of amps
With Miller stuff always ring around before just buying online, there is always savings to be had on the advertised price.

 

[HughF]

That miller unit seems a bargain at that price compared with the competition...

 

[Richard.]

Very good contender IMO Richard, Pulsed just like the EWM & plenty of amps
With Miller stuff always ring around before just buying online, there is always savings to be had on the advertised price.

This goes for all brands. It's worth ringing about.

 

[Richard.]

I can't recommend it enough, I run that and I also have their 202 ac/dc tig, love their gear

The torches and pedals supplied by TA are very good items. They are night and day above what you get with Rtech. I could be wrong but I believe the torches are tweko and the pedals are SSC.

 

[HughF]

I think that the TA 252i although fitted with a euro connector, ships with a tweco mig gun, which will require tweco front end consumables. Obviously if you buy a machine only package then you can fit a binzel style if you want.

 

[Richard.]

I think that the TA 252i although fitted with a euro connector, ships with a tweco mig gun, which will require tweco front end consumables. Obviously if you buy a machine only package then you can fit a binzel style if you want.

Yeah you've options with them , I just think considering they contend in the RTech, jassic, etc market they seem to be a good cut above with regards to quality and the extras they supply. Tweco torches are good stuff as are SSC tig pedals.
If I was looking for an acdc tig on a budget I'd seriously consider these before the others in this end of the market.

 

[HughF]

My personal feeling is the ta252i with wire sharp and run-in current is a seriously overlooked machine, especially with the 250a top end. Saying that, I'd didn't buy one because I only run 5kg rolls.

The ssc pedal is fantastic, I have one on my tig.

 

[Tinbasherdan]

My personal feeling is the ta252i with wire sharp and run-in current is a seriously overlooked machine, especially with the 250a top end. Saying that, I'd didn't buy one because I only run 5kg rolls.

The ssc pedal is fantastic, I have one on my tig.

The 181 comes with a tweco torch. The consumables are actually quite good , no more contact tip fusing its threads with them

 

[Jim Davey]

I just wired up another three SSC pedals today ready to go out on EWMs, good things to work on, very sensible design.

 

[Mr shiney]

I have both the TA181 fabricator and the 202AC DC TIG unit. Have been using them extensively for a few years now and can't fault them. I had a problem with the Tweco gun when the micro switch failed which was A £3 fix. I swapped it for a Binzel torch in the end as I get my supplies locally from BOC and they are on the shelf whereas the Tweco was order. I use the MIG for a huge variety of jobs for general fabrication to motorcycle and car repairs.

The TIG is superb, I mostly use that for aluminium and occasional stainless work and have a little WP9 torch which does most of my jobs as the standard 26 is big and unwieldy. I am looking for a reasonable pedal now for it though......

 

[Mr shiney]

I just wired up another three SSC pedals today ready to go out on EWMs, good things to work on, very sensible design.

Got any pedals that will work on the TA202?