Review Blackline 200 Amp MIG MAG MMA (ARC) Welder

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

Russel..did you check out the Autostar 160...brand name of Wilkinson star...looks very similar to the Jasic 160?

Was discussed on another thread on here....looks identical to the Jasic.

Sorry to add more confusion...

 

[Russell iow]

I spoke to a local welding supplier about the auto star. It's the same money as the r-tec so I think for £500 I would rather go r-tec especially as they do 0%finance. Having said that I'm only going to use it on car body's 1mm steel so if a £233 welder works for more than a year that might be worth a try.
I did look to buy British but I really don't want a massive transformer mig, also I read some bad reviews from people who wanted repairs done by them. Kemppi and esab look to be over a £1000 and still Chinese but with a longer warranty which is to much for something I will use a couple times a year.

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

Kemppi is not Chinese....made in Finland I believe. Which is probably why they haven't been copied like everyone else.

Mine is 8 years old now...I was looking to upgrade but they still sell the same model now...think that says something. If you decide to go mad the Kemppi is excellent.

The Autostar I think is the Jasic 160 clone.

 

[Russell iow]

I just had another look and although wiki initially sugests China after a bit more reading it looks to be Finland. It's a bit deer for me to be honest and I was advised to get one with a euro torch connection

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

My experience with Kemppi...spent £1000 and had buyers remorse ...would it really be worth the money.

Opened box...straight away it was the right choice...never thought different in the last 8 years.

It's a joy to use...I hobby weld but I'm doing all sorts of bits and bobs. One minute brazing, next stainless, then the car stuff.

You can switch materials in a few minutes...auto setup is spot on...and you're welding.

My old migmate was a total mare...all afternoon on scrap trying to get the setup. With the Kemppi I don't even bother with testing the settings...just dial it in and weld.

Now I'm looking at their £3k Tig with auto setup...sure it's huge money...but I bet it's worth it too.

Kemppi torch is fine...used mine 8 years..yes you can't unplug it...never bothered me...it's well built...you could drag the welder around with it if you wanted.

 

[Russell iow]

Ok thanks I'll give it some thought. It does look a nice compact unit.

 

[eddie49]

I'm only going to use it on car body's 1mm steel so if a £233 welder works for more than a year that might be worth a try

You could also consider giving this £160 MIG/MMA welder a try:
https://www.uptimewelding.co.uk/upt...th-industrial-plug-torch-and-accessories.html
Review:
https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum...igbt-160-amp-mig-welder-mma-euro-torch.88278/

 

[MATT TOB]

Sorry did anyone ever get to the bottom of the polarity issue with this specific machine? To me post 41 makes a lot of sense, but when I asked the ebay seller this exact question they just said "its set up for flux core, use as it is".......

 

[Memmeddu]

Sorry did anyone ever get to the bottom of the polarity issue with this specific machine? To me post 41 makes a lot of sense, but when I asked the ebay seller this exact question they just said "its set up for flux core, use as it is".......

I've seen the review and it has the torch connected to the positive
So it will work only with some types of flux core wires.
It's set up for MIG

 

[pedrobedro]

Kemppi and esab look to be over a £1000 and still Chinese but with a longer warranty

Where did you get this gem of misinformation ? If you want to talk expensive look at a Fronius machine.

 

[MATT TOB]

Thanks I had another look today and yes basically it has a solid jumper bar going from the positive dinse connector to the Euro torch socket..... I wonder if this could and should though be swapped for a cable to allow switching for torch negative welding

 

[eddie49]

Thanks I had another look today and yes basically it has a solid jumper bar going from the positive dinse connector to the Euro torch socket..... I wonder if this could and should though be swapped for a cable to allow switching for torch negative welding

That would be one way to do it. Alternatively, discard the solid jumper bar and instead connect a short length of thick flexible cable to the Euro torch socket, route it out of the machine via a hole in the front panel, and fit a male Dinse plug. That plug goes into the corresponding polarity Dinse socket that you need for flux-core or solid MIG wire, and the work return cable plugs into whichever Dinse socket is still free.

 

[MATT TOB]

That would be one way to do it. Alternatively, discard the solid jumper bar and instead connect a short length of thick flexible cable to the Euro torch socket, route it out of the machine via a hole in the front panel, and fit a male Dinse plug. That plug goes into the corresponding polarity Dinse socket that you need for flux-core or solid MIG wire, and the work return cable plugs into whichever Dinse socket is still free.

Thankyou that's a much nicer idea, I have an old earth clamp with a dinse socket that I can chop down and use to do exactly that

 

[Bobupndown]

Just bought one via ebay today. Looking forward to receiving it. I've a few frames to make up using 3 - 4 mm angle and box section. I'll give it a try with arc rods and gasless wire initially before getting a proper gas bottle and regulator.

 

[Memmeddu]

Just bought one via ebay today. Looking forward to receiving it. I've a few frames to make up using 3 - 4 mm angle and box section. I'll give it a try with arc rods and gasless wire initially before getting a proper gas bottle and regulator.

Let us know how it goes.
Another opinion about this machine can only richen this thread

 

[Kimgary]

Just brought one of these and tried using with gas less 0.8mm wire lots of spatter and no penetration. Swoped over the leads internally making torch negative and much better ,will look at going to
Gas ,probably hobby gas with regulator and 0.6 wire for thin stuff really pleased with it for the money

 

[Bobupndown]

So used mine for first time yesterday welding 3mm angle steel. Used 2.5 mm rods which worked well. I bought a small roll of gasless mig wire and gave it a try, again as above not much penetration on the 3mm steel with wire speed quite high. I'll try changing the leads over and give it another go. I will eventually get a gas cylinder and use it as proper mig so not too concerned. All in all not a bad machine for the price and will meet my hobby welding needs.

 

[Bobupndown]

So used mine for first time yesterday welding 3mm angle steel. Used 2.5 mm rods which worked well. I bought a small roll of gasless mig wire and gave it a try, again as above not much penetration on the 3mm steel with wire speed quite high. I'll try changing the leads over and give it another go. I will eventually get a gas cylinder and use it as proper mig so not too concerned. All in all not a bad machine for the price and will meet my hobby welding needs.

Oh and the chinglish instructions leave a lot to be desired

 

[8ob]

Someone asked how low it would go for thin steel, I found a bit of 1mm today and slit it with a thin disc. With .6 wire and not down on the lowest settings it seemed ok, I will try it on something really thin and see how it gets on.

2.5 rod for reference.

The lower weld was on setting 4 and going going too fast , the top one was the same on the settings but with the wire speed turned down a tad and going slower. A bit more time tinkering and I think you could get the welds a bit smaller with less to grind up.

 

[8ob]

Had to weld some 50x20 bar to the back of some 12mm plate so I thought I would give the Blackline an airing.

4MM 6013`s,full power and 20mm thick bar is about the limit for this welder.

Bob