Recently I've had to sell my transformer Lincoln electric 185 compact MIG welder due to my neighbours lights flickering when in use!
My estate is a fairly new build, typically I'm furthest away from the supply and the novelty size wire feeding the estate can't keep up, defiantly won't be using a noisy genie too!
Anyway, I'm on the look out for a new inverter style mig at a minimum, i curently have a Lincoln electric v160t for tig/stick duties, to my knowledge it doesn't make my/my neighbours lights flicker!
It'll mainly be use for light duty sheetmetal work/ fabrication, ideally capable of thinner steels over thicker.
Now the question is do I go for another mig/tig/stick set or just a mig?
I'm a subcontractor pipefitter/ welder, with long term plans to eventually run my own company doing the same. So the advantage of having a spare tig/stick set may one day come in as otherwise I would have just got for the inveter MIG,
How useful/reliable are these 3in1 sets? I know they don't have HF, which is strange?
On the want list,
Reliability,
this is a must.... I know lifespan on these inverters is allot less thantransformer MIG's, but I don't wanna faff with rollers/mechanisms every other time I use it. (My 185 Lincoln was faultless!)
Power consumption,
my Lincoln 185 mig had i think a 6kva+ surge on electricity, this new set can't be anywhere near that, as it'll make my neighbours lights flicker, he'll complain etc etc!
Euro torch,
This alone limits some of the inverter MIG only sets, yes I know they convertible but why should I have to buy the kit/modify it.
Although these sets are smaller/lighter I'd still prefer to have a Binzel 5m torch on it, so I don't have to move it much!
Back to basics, so far I've only tested the ESAB caddy 160i at home, I was told that the 200i is exactly the same amps just with a different display? The same welding suplier also told me to avoid jasic and even the Lincoln electric 200c 3-1 unit?
Other inverter MIGs I've used is a kempi mini arc mig 200evo, which is a great bit of kit, but no euro torch, not ideal, but close!
Generally I'm one for keeping them simple for reliability/longevity reasons I think a mig only inverter might be best! Ha
But for 3in1 sets, favourite so far is the Thermal Arc 211i since its 240v/110v which is very handy for site work too. Pritty sure it's a euro torch too.
Any others to look into? Any pro/cons about my situation?
Just trying to weigh up my options really!!
Cheers for any help
My estate is a fairly new build, typically I'm furthest away from the supply and the novelty size wire feeding the estate can't keep up, defiantly won't be using a noisy genie too!
Anyway, I'm on the look out for a new inverter style mig at a minimum, i curently have a Lincoln electric v160t for tig/stick duties, to my knowledge it doesn't make my/my neighbours lights flicker!
It'll mainly be use for light duty sheetmetal work/ fabrication, ideally capable of thinner steels over thicker.
Now the question is do I go for another mig/tig/stick set or just a mig?
I'm a subcontractor pipefitter/ welder, with long term plans to eventually run my own company doing the same. So the advantage of having a spare tig/stick set may one day come in as otherwise I would have just got for the inveter MIG,
How useful/reliable are these 3in1 sets? I know they don't have HF, which is strange?
On the want list,
Reliability,
this is a must.... I know lifespan on these inverters is allot less thantransformer MIG's, but I don't wanna faff with rollers/mechanisms every other time I use it. (My 185 Lincoln was faultless!)
Power consumption,
my Lincoln 185 mig had i think a 6kva+ surge on electricity, this new set can't be anywhere near that, as it'll make my neighbours lights flicker, he'll complain etc etc!
Euro torch,
This alone limits some of the inverter MIG only sets, yes I know they convertible but why should I have to buy the kit/modify it.
Although these sets are smaller/lighter I'd still prefer to have a Binzel 5m torch on it, so I don't have to move it much!
Back to basics, so far I've only tested the ESAB caddy 160i at home, I was told that the 200i is exactly the same amps just with a different display? The same welding suplier also told me to avoid jasic and even the Lincoln electric 200c 3-1 unit?
Other inverter MIGs I've used is a kempi mini arc mig 200evo, which is a great bit of kit, but no euro torch, not ideal, but close!
Generally I'm one for keeping them simple for reliability/longevity reasons I think a mig only inverter might be best! Ha
But for 3in1 sets, favourite so far is the Thermal Arc 211i since its 240v/110v which is very handy for site work too. Pritty sure it's a euro torch too.
Any others to look into? Any pro/cons about my situation?
Just trying to weigh up my options really!!
Cheers for any help
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