- Thread starter Piero
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cumbriasteve
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There were a couple of Lorch machines where I used to work, no idea which exact model but I do remember the frequent praise they got, especially by welders that 'borrowed' them.
I'd also be interested in hearing any thoughts and opinions from anybody that would favor one of these machines over the other.
I'm looking to buy a new TIG setup and the Lorch T220 (with Control Pro panel) and the Kemppi Mastertig MLS 2300 (with ACX panel) are on my short list. I've had a little bit of time with the Kemppi machine but haven't had the opportunity to use the Lorch machine as yet.
On paper, in terms of both tech spec and feature set, these two machines seem fairly well matched with little to choose between them.
It would be good to hear from anyone who has used both machines.
I'm looking to buy a new TIG setup and the Lorch T220 (with Control Pro panel) and the Kemppi Mastertig MLS 2300 (with ACX panel) are on my short list. I've had a little bit of time with the Kemppi machine but haven't had the opportunity to use the Lorch machine as yet.
On paper, in terms of both tech spec and feature set, these two machines seem fairly well matched with little to choose between them.
It would be good to hear from anyone who has used both machines.
Shox Dr
Chief Engineer to Carlos Fandango
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I have a MLS ACDC 2300 with ACX panel. More buttons than the shuttle. Works like any other Kemppi, faultlessly
I had the ACS panel but the main POT failed so sent it for repair, Post Office lost it, so I now have a ACX, main difference is Micro Tack, and Memory, all the other functions are on the lesser panel just have to dig to get to them.
I had the ACS panel but the main POT failed so sent it for repair, Post Office lost it, so I now have a ACX, main difference is Micro Tack, and Memory, all the other functions are on the lesser panel just have to dig to get to them.
Yes, Kemppi's ACX panel definitely has the 'busier' look about it in comparison to Lorch's Control Pro panel. I couldn't say for sure as I've yet to prod the Lorch machine but, if I'm understanding the user manual correctly, it suggests (to me at least) that Kemppi's ACX panel probably has the edge in terms of ease of use.
matt1978
www.lorch.eu
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The Kemppii is also a fine machine, but I would say to consider the extra 12 months warranty, the fact that you can drop the lorch machine from 60 cm onto a concrete floor and that the protective front panel cover is pretty indestructible.
Also, if you buy the latest version (Feb 2012) onwards you can also use it in conjunction with the new iTorch.
Also, if you buy the latest version (Feb 2012) onwards you can also use it in conjunction with the new iTorch.
Windy Miller
Semi-Professional Potterer!
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I'm more interested in how these machines are to live with on a day to day basis (performance, useability, etc..) to be honest.
The Lorch having an additional 12 month warranty, while not irrelevant, is of little concern to me. My personal opinion is that with all electrical/electronic products any flaws or defects in component manufacture or product assembly are (assuming reasonably regular usage) most likely to show up within the first 6 months or so. If you get to two years of usage with no major issues then there is a very good chance you are going get several more years of problem free operation out of it. Of course that's not a hard and fast rule of absolute certainty and there are no guarantees on that, but from my own experience that seems to be the more common. If I were expecting the machine to be receiving light/occasional use then perhaps the additional 12 months of warranty would be more of a consideration.
Being designed to withstand a 60cm drop test is a good thing, but I intend to have the machine attached to a water cooler and strapped to a trolley so the chances of it being dropped should be greatly reduced compared to those using the machine in a true portable scenario.
The Lorch having an additional 12 month warranty, while not irrelevant, is of little concern to me. My personal opinion is that with all electrical/electronic products any flaws or defects in component manufacture or product assembly are (assuming reasonably regular usage) most likely to show up within the first 6 months or so. If you get to two years of usage with no major issues then there is a very good chance you are going get several more years of problem free operation out of it. Of course that's not a hard and fast rule of absolute certainty and there are no guarantees on that, but from my own experience that seems to be the more common. If I were expecting the machine to be receiving light/occasional use then perhaps the additional 12 months of warranty would be more of a consideration.
Being designed to withstand a 60cm drop test is a good thing, but I intend to have the machine attached to a water cooler and strapped to a trolley so the chances of it being dropped should be greatly reduced compared to those using the machine in a true portable scenario.
matt1978
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I think you missed the point slightly, it's all to do with build quality and how the machine is designed/engineered and the faith you have in that build quality to be able to give a 3 yr warranty and the 60 cm fall protection in the first place.
Welding performance wise I would put the T against any other comparable product in the world. Of any manufacturer without any hesitation at all. The point about the protective front panel cover being virtually indestructible........you can hold and swing the entire weight of the machine from the protective panel and hinge. Not that it's a suggestion of how to carry the machine about on normal use, but another display of how well engineered the product is. Try that with ANY other machine on the market and see what happens, most covers are a flimsy bit of Perspex that crack within days of being on the workshop floor.
Last word on how confident Lorch are about the performance of the unit, if the machine fails to live up to the welding performance and duty cycles of the machine stated on the data plate, Lorch will give you a full refund, for not just the warranty period but for as long as you own the machine, that allies to all of the Lorch machines in the entire range.
Lorch has a 3 steps to weld logic on all of the machines and the T Is no exception. You only need tell it the Welding processes (dc/ac) the amperage and electrode diameter and the machine will work out everything else.
If you want to have more control over the process than that, then you can override and adjust any of the settings manually.
Welding performance wise I would put the T against any other comparable product in the world. Of any manufacturer without any hesitation at all. The point about the protective front panel cover being virtually indestructible........you can hold and swing the entire weight of the machine from the protective panel and hinge. Not that it's a suggestion of how to carry the machine about on normal use, but another display of how well engineered the product is. Try that with ANY other machine on the market and see what happens, most covers are a flimsy bit of Perspex that crack within days of being on the workshop floor.
Last word on how confident Lorch are about the performance of the unit, if the machine fails to live up to the welding performance and duty cycles of the machine stated on the data plate, Lorch will give you a full refund, for not just the warranty period but for as long as you own the machine, that allies to all of the Lorch machines in the entire range.
Lorch has a 3 steps to weld logic on all of the machines and the T Is no exception. You only need tell it the Welding processes (dc/ac) the amperage and electrode diameter and the machine will work out everything else.
If you want to have more control over the process than that, then you can override and adjust any of the settings manually.
matt1978
www.lorch.eu
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The iTorch is a remote control torch with a fully integrated 7 segment display in the handle, where you can change Amps, job number, and then Two other things which can be freely selected by the operator, so could be AC balance, ac frequency or pulse frequency, up slope, post gas etc.
If it's a longer warranty you are after these are another consideration. The warranty is only as good as the distributor backing it up though, and Kemppi have a much longer representation than both in the UK; might be a consideration. Also, just to throw a spanner in the works 
, ESAB/MUREX offer a bit less.. 2 years... but on-site.
, ESAB/MUREX offer a bit less.. 2 years... but on-site.
Piero
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This might through a spanner in the works as to me picking a Tig.
http://www.millerwelds.com/resources/communities/mboard/showthread.php?27163-Dynasty-280
The 280 will prity much be the top dog.
Guess There will be quite a few Dynasty 200 and others for that matter going up for sale
http://www.millerwelds.com/resources/communities/mboard/showthread.php?27163-Dynasty-280
The 280 will prity much be the top dog.
Guess There will be quite a few Dynasty 200 and others for that matter going up for sale
matt1978
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Miller is a very well respected American brand as are EWM, but German. I didn't go thru all of the pages on the miller welds link, but I'm sure you'll find that you cannot get 280 amps on a UK single phase, 220/230 tends to be the limit for most inverters on a 16 amp draw
