ESAB Caddy or Portamig

[skibum]

Hi All

New to the forum but not new to welding having been in semi trailer manufacturing for a good few years. Now living in France and getting asked more and more to do small welding projects, so i'm looking to buy a mig plant with a budget of £600 - £700.

I've been looking at the ESAB caddy or one of the portamig models, will be doing various bits and pieces from cars through to balcony and gate work up to probably a max of 6mm steel.

Just wanted to get your views on these machines and suggestions for any others that may suit.

Cheers

Matt

 

[dickie bell]

i just got a portamig 185 the other day and it's brilliant can't fault it at all, great performance and solidly built as for esab they are a decent make so it would also probably be a good purchase too , personally speaking i would go for the portamig but i am biased.

oh and welcome to the forum

 

[Windy Miller]

I bought the Esab Caddy 200i a few weeks ago - very pleased so far. Either machine will be good. The Esab is VERY portable - the Portagmig is VERY well made.

I'm thinking that the Portamig would be cheaper/simpler to repair if it goes wrong, as it does not use any fancy electronical doo dabbys in its workings!

Personally I'd go for the Esab. I've got two now, and they're both great!

 

[Simon-]

Its going to be a little harder for a weedy thief to make a quick getaway with the Portamig
I have one and I find it to be a great machine.

 

[Ragnarok]

love my caddy tig

 

[gordon stephenson]

I have a Kemppi Minarc 180,(same sort of size to the Esab)as well as larger ones similar to the portamig. Both do an excellent job, But if I had to choose just one I would go for the smaller one just for pure portability.

 

[Ragnarok]

limited to 5kg wire though in the little portables

 

[cumbriasteve]

I have the Portamig 235 and its excellent, suppose one of the main factors in your choice is what back up does either machine have in France?

 

[gordon stephenson]

There is still plenty of wire on a 5Kg roll,And for the slight difference in price I prefer it,For busy workshop use or small factory etc then yes to the larger reel, But the request was for a machine to do small welding projects.

 

[Ragnarok]

true, though if you want fancy wires you can have trouble getting 5kg rolls for a decent price.