AC Buzz Box vs DC

[PTvor]

There have been a few threads on that 140A Tonco including this

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=27649&highlight=tonco

The duty cycles are not fantastic for oil cooled and the current settings cumbersome and limited.

They do bigger machines, according to their website, with more current settings, but I'm not sure they are sold on ebay.

 

[tombardier]

duty cycle isn't something I find overly concerning if I'm honest. I'm not a professional, and I'll spend an hour prepping something that takes me 30 seconds to weld I'm not too sure about the limitations w/ regards to the current settings. How much of that range can be compensated for with adjustments in arc length etc?

 

[tombardier]

just noticed this. quite compelling!

http://www.r-techwelding.co.uk/welding_equipment/Special_Offers/Arc_Welder_R-Tech_MMA140M-SALE

 

[Paul.]

That ebay tonco toy, is AC and for what you are doing will be no better (probably worse to use) than your sureweld buzz box, the ocv is a bit higher and the duty cycle may be better, but for the type of use you describe to no advantage, buy an inverter and you have a proper DC welder, which will run just about any type of electrode, and can also be converted into a basic Tig set.

 

[PTvor]

It takes about 60 seconds to burn a 350mm rod which will lay down 6 or 7 inches of weld (about half its length).

I'd have thought that R-Tech was clearly better in most ways.

If you fancy the Tonco and your welding really does consist of an hour's preparation and 30 seconds welding, why not? But if your welding is all like that, any buzz-box can cope with that sort of duty cycle.

I don't know about welding with any current you are given. Maybe with a lot of practice, but I don't want that much practice. Oh, and if you are putting in that much practice, the duty cycle becomes important.

 

[oilcooled :)]

where did that 20% come out off its not in the add ?

 

[PTvor]

where did that 20% come out off its not in the add ?

Here.

http://www.tonco.co.za/welding-machines.html

I don't find that ebay ad very well written to be honest.


Another thing is that the Tonco is likely to blow 13A fuses on the 140 A range, much more so than a 140A inverter. You might find you were stuck with three ranges unless you arranged a higher current supply.

 

[tombardier]

Ah. Don't know why I was thinking it was dc, but it's of no use to me if it's ac! r-tech it is then I think. might be nice to extend it with a tig torch at a later date too

 

[oilcooled :)]

no i was thinking tonco as im often working in places where im on long leads and inverter starts playing up and bugs me, and its going to be more robust and behave better to volt drop, but be a damn sight lighter than my pickhill bantam, i no i no i need a genny :L thought it could be a cheaper alternative :P dont get me wrong i love dc when its going well

 

[oilcooled :)]

on a more important note, this looks interesting from tonco, prob should get its own thread ? http://www.tonco.co.za/mig-welder.html

 

[PTvor]

on a more important note, this looks interesting from tonco, prob should get its own thread ? http://www.tonco.co.za/mig-welder.html

Judging from the link, which doesn't give much detail, it's a contraption which you link up to any one of their arc welders. Presumably at least a rectifier and a wire feed arrangement for MIG.

I'd be inclined to either buy a proper one or do without.

 

[oilcooled :)]

Judging from the link, which doesn't give much detail, it's a contraption which you link up to any one of their arc welders. Presumably at least a rectifier and a wire feed arrangement for MIG.

I'd be inclined to either buy a proper one or do without.

looks like a gimmic to me too

 

[PTvor]

It reminds me of the drill attachments sold by Black and Decker in the 60s, a jigsaw, a lathe, a circular saw, a hedge cutter, a sander. A neat idea to use the same motor for everything. The problem was it wasn't the right motor for all these things and although they worked, they weren't particularly good.

 

[oilcooled :)]

It reminds me of the drill attachments sold by Black and Decker in the 60s, a jigsaw, a lathe, a circular saw, a hedge cutter, a sander. A neat idea to use the same motor for everything. The problem was it wasn't the right motor for all these things and although they worked, they weren't particularly good.

plus when the welding transformer breaks, you have no mig to keep working till its repaired

 

[Robotstar5]

It reminds me of the drill attachments sold by Black and Decker in the 60s, a jigsaw, a lathe, a circular saw, a hedge cutter, a sander. A neat idea to use the same motor for everything. The problem was it wasn't the right motor for all these things and although they worked, they weren't particularly good.

I must have a look for my dad's toolbox, I'm sure he had a couple of the attachments mentioned above. The drill itself is still working with it's all metal body and key operated chuck

 

[roofman]

I must have a look for my dad's toolbox, I'm sure he had a couple of the attachments mentioned above. The drill itself is still working with it's all metal body and key operated chuck

like this

 

[Robotstar5]

like this

Very similar, I will have to dig it out and post a pic, we can star a power tool "porn" thread

"Show us your tool" ?

 

[PTvor]

I was offered a B&D jigsaw attachment two years back for a couple of quid. It was new in its box. He was a nice old bloke who was trying to sell it.

It really was a crude thing.

I explained that although I had a drill it might fit, which I kept for light jobs, I had a Makita and two Bosch purpose made jigsaws in no danger of wearing out any time soon, and couldn't see my way clear to parting with two quid, or even just taking it away. I had more respect than to offer taking it away for disposaI for a couple of quid out of his pension or pointing out that he had a dustbin just as good as mine.

 

[tombardier]

I've got one of those b&d drills, and i've got a pillar drill type thing made specifically for it. The drill was my grandfathers, and he died a few months after I was born, so the drill is likely to be a lot older than I am still going strong too!

 

[gavuk]

Tombardier,not sure anyone asked ,what are you welding?,and did we answer your questions ?,,