Compact or separate wire feeder? Single or 3 phase?

[Tiggy_dorset]

Hopefully renting a new unit soon, I will be purchasing a new mig. For the past couple of weeks I have had my eyes set on a Lincoln compact 305C (3 phase), but now I have my heart set on an Oxford I-Mig 360 (single phase).

I think I have opted for a single phase. Is there much of an advantage going for a 3 phase instead?
The main question though, the Oxford with a separate feeder is not much price difference to the compact, what advantage would I gain from a separate feeder instead of the compact?

Thanks.

 

[blenkie1]

Rather have a 3 phase machine. If you have 3 phase in the unit I would go for that. We have 2 kemppi welders where I do most of my work, one a compact and one with a wire feeder. The wire feeder can be removed and used around the workshop while the main unit stays put or can be hoisted up on the crane if the torch won't reach. In reality its never been off the machine its got a 5m torch and its not that hard to drag about.

If you get in contact with Tec Arc (who make Oxford) they will fit dual voltage on it for a price but me personally go 3 phase.

 

[Tiggy_dorset]

That makes some sense. The unit is not massive so doubt the welder will be moved a great distance.
The dual voltage option would be very handy though, I will look into getting in contact with Tec-Arc, although I was looking at buying from a separate company (middle man I guess). Thanks

edit - just looked, it works out cheaper to buy from the middle man, but I will speak to them about the dual voltage option.

 

[Topleymike]

I have an Oxford 410/1, must be three years since I bought it,very pleased with it. It is in daily use. It came from olds welding in west Stafford that was my local supplier then. John said that he had sold them to people who make skips, so they must be ok! Personally I love the separate feed, but it depends what you do but if you do not get it now you may wish you had later,things do change.

 

[steve t]

I have my wire feed unit on a swinging arm with door track on it to slide unit back and forth can reach all round welding area without dragging cables etc, very handy also you will probobally get more amps from three phase despite what manufactures claim

 

[Tiggy_dorset]

Ahh Jon at Olds, was in there yesterday. I plan to go see him on Monday with the price of the Oxford that I can get online, and see if he can do me some kind of deal. He talks funny, but I like him lol. I will consider the separate feeder....for future possibilities

 

[Topleymike]

He is mr serious all right but very knowledgable and helpful.

 

[Tiggy_dorset]

We like to have a joke about him at work, we think he sounds like some kind of villain from a James Bond movie

 

[Topleymike]

Went in there one day and Sam was filling an industrial sized wheelie bin with new cutting and grinding discs because they were out of date. I said can I have some, with visions of filling the back of my truck with free discs,he said will have to ask dad and I thought that's done it then, and sure enough it was terribly sorry mr Niemier we cannot risk any chance of injury. Damn!!

 

[Tom Orrow L]

Ahh Jon at Olds, was in there yesterday. I plan to go see him on Monday with the price of the Oxford that I can get online, and see if he can do me some kind of deal. He talks funny, but I like him lol. I will consider the separate feeder....for future possibilities

Reckon it'll be difficult for anyone to beat online prices.. welding world is one of the most competitive for online sales as far as I'm aware.

 

[Farside]

Went in there one day and Sam was filling an industrial sized wheelie bin with new cutting and grinding discs because they were out of date. I said can I have some, with visions of filling the back of my truck with free discs,he said will have to ask dad and I thought that's done it then, and sure enough it was terribly sorry mr Niemier we cannot risk any chance of injury. Damn!!

They'd have been intercepted by certain members of a certain community and down at the boot sale by now.

 

[cianh91]

Seperate or compact wire feed is always goin to be down to user taste really I like compact we have 3 compact and one seperate in work only ever used the seperate one for the extra amps till we got the new kempi basically I find most people I know with seperate wire feed are using 3metre torches (most just to save a bit of wire) I use a 5metre torch which more a less gives me a comfortable 8 metre span with machine in the centre .. As regards single or 3phase I usually find 3 to have better duty cycles and plant always seems under less strain at the higher end but saying that Iv used plenty of single phase without any issues

 

[Tiggy_dorset]

Thanks for everyones input. I am now rather tempted to go for the separate feeder. The thought of keeping the welder tucked in a relatively dust free corner appeals, with the feeder sat on a mini trolley that can be wheeled around the workshop. Im just waiting for an invoice to be paid to me, then I can order my new beast.

 

[Kent]

Three phase with separate feeder if it was a decent size shop, stand alone three phase if it wasn't big. Single phase if you didn't have three phase, a single phase for out and about. Good luck with the new shop

 

[Tom Orrow L]

Thanks for everyones input. I am now rather tempted to go for the separate feeder. The thought of keeping the welder tucked in a relatively dust free corner appeals, with the feeder sat on a mini trolley that can be wheeled around the workshop. Im just waiting for an invoice to be paid to me, then I can order my new beast.

Sounds good, I've heard some good things about welding supplies direct for Oxfords. Lads on the farms around here seem to love them.

 

[Tiggy_dorset]

Sounds good, I've heard some good things about welding supplies direct for Oxfords. Lads on the farms around here seem to love them.

Theres about 2 or 3 quid difference between the price quoted by welding supplies direct, and the company in this link : http://www.migtigarc.co.uk/MIG_Welder/mig_welder.html#imig330

I will probably go with Migtigarc, only reason is they have premises just other side of Southampton, not a million miles from me.

 

[Tom Orrow L]

Theres about 2 or 3 quid difference between the price quoted by welding supplies direct, and the company in this link : http://www.migtigarc.co.uk/MIG_Welder/mig_welder.html#imig330

I will probably go with Migtigarc, only reason is they have premises just other side of Southampton, not a million miles from me.

Understandable, easy to get it fixed should it ever (and I mean ever, they rarely ever go wrong). Let us know your experience with them mate as I've never bought anything from them.

 

[Tiggy_dorset]

Before ordering my new monster, I decided to jump on my little Cub 90 and poodle down to see Jon at Olds Welding to see if he can better the online price. He matched the online price, will assemble and test it before delivering it to me ready-to-go. He's also chucking in a fitted 3-phase plug and a bunch of mig tips. Delivery in a week.

One credit card transaction later, I am the proud owner of an Oxford 410-S Mig Welder, with v/a meter and seperate feeder.
Happy days

 

[Topleymike]

Great to buy local when you can, my Oxford has been working very hard this week, sure you will be happy with yours.