15Amp capability....really needed?

[Ducky]

Hi,

Have recently found this forum as I'm interested in learning to weld (my brother welds a lot for work) as it's a helpful skill to have, not to mention it would come in useful to do some bodywork repairs on my truck etc.

so have been reading a lot of the posts gathering information, very handy/helpful it is too! (already used the Volkzone offer with Boc)

Got a decent amount saved up so now I'm bouncing between two welders (case of buy something nice now and not have to upgrade later as skills improve). I've read a lot about the Portamig235 on here and it's extra low 15a setting, however I also like the Oxford240 because it has the smoothing caps and I prefer the looks although it only goes down to 20amps.

My brother uses a Snap-On which goes down to 28amps and he seems able to do bodywork easily, hence my subject heading 'is 15A needed', if not I think I'll go for the Oxford for the reasons above.

I've got a small shopping list set (mask/flow meter/gloves etc) so tweaking that as I go along.

Appreciate any feedback/tips people my have.
cheers
Chris

 

[Premiershipman]

The lower the amperage the better for thin metalwork really, I have a Portamig 235 and welded a butt weld with gap on 1mm sheet but had to be careful even on a lowish setting.

I can't imagine the 5 amps will make a massive amount of difference to be honest and both the Portamig and Oxford are essentially the same machine anyway was they are both built by Tec Arc.

Horses for courses I suppose, not sure how much difference the smoothing capacitors make as never used an Oxford, but I am sure someone who has one can advise. Here is a thread that may help : http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=27366

Shady

 

[Ducky]

Yup, seen that link thanks dude (in fact have prolly read every thread on this forum so far lol), but not seen a definite answer so decided to post myself.

 

[grim_d]

Your brothers Mig is more than likely the same as my cebora, goes down to 28 amps, with a bit of practice I now have no problems at all welding 1.0mm steel as well as 0.8mm steel, I have also successfully welded 0.6mm steel with it. It's as much about the operator as it is the tool.

I have no doubt that 15amps would be a bit better for less heat into the panel so could go a bit faster perhaps but I certainly get by just fine without so with the 20amp set I can't see you having any problems and as said above I can imagine the 5 amp difference being negligible with good technique.

I can't comment on the smoothing capacitors as I've never used a set with them and to be honest don't know the difference between a smooth and a rough (?) arc, I imagine my set will be somewhere in the middle of things.

 

[cumbriasteve]

I doubt there is anything between the 2 choices that would make any difference in your views of ownership, owners of both seem more than happy, Portamigs do have a habit of selling very fast, for good prices, if they come on the market second hand....but I suppose most good MIG's do.