Tom Orrow L
Member
- Messages
- 2,819
- Location
- Shropshire, UK
Afternoon guys, So yesterday I finally got a hands on experience with the ESAB Rebel 215ic after doubting the "hype" that surrounded it or so long. I thought I'd give a quick overview of my experience with the MIG side of things on it.
Firstly, I was pleasantly surprised by the whole set. Build quality felt very good, with the protective outer "wrapping" on pretty much the entire machine. The panel has a very simple set up, one knob for most controls and a couple of fine tube knobs to the side of the massive display.
I fired her up, and wanted to give the MIG side of things a blast before all else. I'd heard good things from the sMIG feature from a few, so went straight into that. The machine prompted me for my wire diameter which was 0.8MM, I then used the larger control knob to flick through to the material type (mild steel), you then have the option to adjust inductance %, burn back time, spot on/off etc..
I was welding some 3MM, flat position, fillet. After getting the appropriate settings in place, I set the metal thickness by using the top right knob, I then had the luxury of using the trim (bottom right knob) to decide whether I wanted my weld to look more convex or concave. I opted more with the convex side of things and went with setting 6 (iirc) on the trim.
I laid my first weld, very nice, except I was getting a little more stick out at the end of the weld than I wanted. I played around with the burn back, setting it to 0.2s. This instantly fixed the problem and I was laying some of the best welds I've ever done. The sMIG feature seemed to have dialled in the settings to a tee (bar the slight burn back adjustment). It was such a treat to weld with.
I'd say a very good shout if you're looking for a nice synergic MIG set.
Next up to test is the TIG side of things, for which i've got to wait for the appropriate torch to arrive.
I'm also antsy to get some stick welding in, I didn't have enough time for this yesterday, but I ran through the menu for it, which is very simple yet again. Amperage set up, hot start and arc force control, all from one knob. Its also got a very useful setup guide for various size rods within the machine display.
Its one of the only multi process machines on the market to offer cellulosic capabilities too, so it;ll happily run a 6010 or 6011.
Overall, a very nice machine and I was happy to have it on the bench next to me.
I'll pop some pictures up below this for reference / so you can see what various parts of the machine are like.
Firstly, I was pleasantly surprised by the whole set. Build quality felt very good, with the protective outer "wrapping" on pretty much the entire machine. The panel has a very simple set up, one knob for most controls and a couple of fine tube knobs to the side of the massive display.
I fired her up, and wanted to give the MIG side of things a blast before all else. I'd heard good things from the sMIG feature from a few, so went straight into that. The machine prompted me for my wire diameter which was 0.8MM, I then used the larger control knob to flick through to the material type (mild steel), you then have the option to adjust inductance %, burn back time, spot on/off etc..
I was welding some 3MM, flat position, fillet. After getting the appropriate settings in place, I set the metal thickness by using the top right knob, I then had the luxury of using the trim (bottom right knob) to decide whether I wanted my weld to look more convex or concave. I opted more with the convex side of things and went with setting 6 (iirc) on the trim.
I laid my first weld, very nice, except I was getting a little more stick out at the end of the weld than I wanted. I played around with the burn back, setting it to 0.2s. This instantly fixed the problem and I was laying some of the best welds I've ever done. The sMIG feature seemed to have dialled in the settings to a tee (bar the slight burn back adjustment). It was such a treat to weld with.
I'd say a very good shout if you're looking for a nice synergic MIG set.
Next up to test is the TIG side of things, for which i've got to wait for the appropriate torch to arrive.
I'm also antsy to get some stick welding in, I didn't have enough time for this yesterday, but I ran through the menu for it, which is very simple yet again. Amperage set up, hot start and arc force control, all from one knob. Its also got a very useful setup guide for various size rods within the machine display.
Its one of the only multi process machines on the market to offer cellulosic capabilities too, so it;ll happily run a 6010 or 6011.
Overall, a very nice machine and I was happy to have it on the bench next to me.
I'll pop some pictures up below this for reference / so you can see what various parts of the machine are like.