Binzel MB25 EVO Vs Parweld's Pro-Grip

[julianf]

I need a larger torch for my portamig 215.

In truth I don't really know what I'm doing with products, but from what I can tell I need an mb25 and the two in the title seem to be suggested here and there.

My questions -

Have I got it right, and it is an mb25 that I need?



And then which of the torches if that is the case?

About 3 years back, I posted this thread, should more info be needed -

https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum...im-a-novice-is-this-normal.71929/#post-975136



Thank you!

 

[Jlg]

I’ve got a binzel mb25 if interested

 

[julianf]

Julian, the smallest is the MB 15 which has the smallest head and is really only suitable for 0.6 and 0.8mm wire and the larger 0.8mm wire will only really handle around 170 amps maximum for decent quality wire.

MB 25 is the next size up and the head and shroud are larger and these generally handle 1mm wire which realistically handles around 250 amps.

It comes down to your welder output and the type of welding you do, in simplistic terms if you work in a lot of confined or tight spaces the MB15 is better under most circumstances if you are under the maximum current and use 0.8mm wire and for larger currents and working in non confined spaces the MB 25 is better as they are air cooled torches and the MB 25 gives a lot more cooling, particularly with 0.6 or 0.8mm wire.

If finances permit them having both is a nice option as it gives you more scope.

Thank you.

I have the 15 currently and have used it a lot, but set it on fire last time I tried to do a heavy job.

I've got some thick stuff to do, so, rather than burn my existing torch again, I figured I'd get whatever I needed.

So my question wasn't small or big... I know I need larger. More that was the MB25 the correct "code" (which you have confirmed - thank you!) and then what brand.


My existing torch was repaired after I broke it last time and is fine now, so the plan is to have a pair and swap between them depending on work.

 

[julianf]

I’ve got a binzel mb25 if interested

What, for sale, or to advise on?

 

[Jim Davey]

The EVO Pro is a lovely torch. It’s got Binzel’s latest lightweight cable which is super flexible. It’s where my money would be going for sure.

 

[Tangledfeet]

The EVO Pro is a lovely torch. It’s got Binzel’s latest lightweight cable which is super flexible. It’s where my money would be going for sure.

@julianf Seconded; I bought one from R H Davey and it is very comfortable, and (without wanting to sound like a fanboi) R H Davey's prices are amongst the best; I'm tight so I do my homework.

(I've also got Parweld ProGrip TIG torches in 17and 26 sizes and they are immensely comfortable and balanced too.)

 

[mike os]

I would suggest it will, come down to personal preference, both are good

 

[Jlg]

What, for sale, or to advise on?

For sale

 

[a111r]

Seems that any new £500 MIG comes with an equivalent to a "£30 Euro" job, as found on Ebay.
I have bought two MB15 torches for under £30. The MB25s are not much more.

They're not professional kit of course, but a step change from aged SIP / Sealey torches needing whole new front ends for more cash.

 

[Munkul]

MB25 is a much better torch design than the 15, but still has that naff little nozzle friction spring that I always hated. You CAN get a 25 size torch with the much better slip-on nozzles that are mb36 style, but not sure where I saw it... It's maybe a 280 amp rating? Can't remember.

But that's just me being fussy I've wasted too many of those stupid springs. If i had to use a smaller gun again I think I'd go for something like a Tweco, or the aforementioned 25/36 hybrid..

 

[Munkul]

Many people now do them and the 25/36 hybrid come with different front end consumables and they can be a godsend at times.

link me please?

 

[Munkul]

Weldability site lists them all, so a good source.

The weldability website is garbage, I can't even find the regular binzel torches listed, just a confusing jumble of parts

 

[Domdom]

The weldability website is garbage, I can't even find the regular binzel torches listed, just a confusing jumble of parts

Agreed. If that site is any indication of company quality I would probably avoid them. Besides, I don't have 3 days of my life to work out what I need.

 

[Tangledfeet]

link me please?

Maybe these..?!

They seem to go purely by amperage than 25/36 designation..?

 

[Munkul]

It wasn't a Bernard style I was thinking of... don't think it was Tweco either. It specifically looked like a binzel style MB36 gas nozzle with the steel clip over the back, but in 25 torch dimensions... maybe not necessarily a binzel, maybe i dreamed it!

EDIT:
Nah it was a binzel... designated a 24 or 26. Can't find any for sale though

https://www.binzel-abicor.com/UK/eng/products/manual/migmag-torches/welding-torch-mb-grip/

In fact, I've decided that a watercooled 240D would be just the ticket for 99% of my work, probably better than the 36 I have atm

 

[Munkul]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Welding-24KD-Connector-MIG-Machine/dp/B01DA1I0AC

A cheap copy for sale... not all that cheap compared to a genuine 25 though

 

[Domdom]

In fact, I've decided that a watercooled 240D would be just the ticket for 99% of my work, probably better than the 36 I have atm

What are the benefits if you don't mind me asking? I use a 36 on an R-Tech 250 which doesn't have water cooling. But the main reason for the 36 upgrade was that I tend to mostly weld thick stuff so usually up and above 180 amps.

 

[Munkul]

What are the benefits if you don't mind me asking? I use a 36 on an R-Tech 250 which doesn't have water cooling. But the main reason for the 36 upgrade was that I tend to mostly weld thick stuff so usually up and above 180 amps.

I generally weld around 200 amps so a 36 torch is fine, although it gets hot with any decent quantity of work. I still don't do all that much MIG though.
I recently got our Kemppis at work kitted up with water coolers and 501D torches and WHAT a difference, the lads would never go back to air cooled. Everything stays cooler throughout, so its more comfortable, spatter doesn't build up as much, and tips last longer. I watched someone put down 2ft of 300 amps weld, and I touched the shroud with my bare hand 10 seconds later. Active cooling really is the future.
The benefit to the 240D torch, for me, would be similar amperage range to the 36 (i only ever use 1mm wire up to a max of 300 amps) and the active cooling, but in a smaller more compact torch.
So this then gives more flexibility for welding in tighter gaps, lighter weight, easier to control for more precise work (athough usually use the TIG set for this)
The other thing is aluminium - runs a lot better in a water cooled torch.

Similar to going from a WP26 TIG torch to a watercooled WP20 torch... everything is better apart from your wallet I won't be changing anything any time soon, got more important things to spend money on, but I do have a spare water cooler to sort out for my MIG set at some point

 

[henry Kadzielski]

^^^ Couldn't agree more, water cooled is the way to go. I bought a Abicor Binzel 455t torch, even fitted it with 10mm silver tips and still it gave trouble, not even after a longer run (1.2solid wire 35volts something like that, display showed about 380amps). Now with a water cooled MB36 tips last sooooo much longer and no feed issues. Don't know if there are smaller sized torches that are water cooled. Basically in Binzel style it's 15, 24, 36 and water cooled 36. I'm using a MB36 now on .8mm solid wire and welding up to about 6mm and it's going fine. Was using a MB24 and it gave trouble, with getting too hot, tips sticking. It really comes down to how much you have to do and in what time. You can use a much smaller torch, but you must let it cool down. On the other hand if you have much to get through and you have to 'crack on' then bigger is best