Euro Torch.. upgrade or modify

[race-rally&road]

Hi all,
Im currently using a ERP 150 Turbo mig, my fathers but we share it, its a few years old now and im building an A40 farina classic rally car, this will be the 3rd car its built. but this time (at my ripe old age of 22 ) ive had enough of burning myself whilst under the car welding so have built a spit for the A40. ive also got myself a bottle of migweldshield from Energas (miles cheaper than BOC) my old man can use CO2 if he likes but im sick of it, in my opinion its crap for welding.
Anyway to the chase, im in a quandry whether to buy my own welder (something i don't really want to do as we both don't need one really) or to modify the ERP and replace the somewhat tired wire feed system with an upgraded one available from a local company to me here in York which also upgrades the welder to a Eurotorch..

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MIG-WELDER-COMPLETE-WIRE-FEED-SYSTEM-AND-EURO-CONNECTOR_W0QQitemZ120431659754

does the length of the torch lead have ANY effect on the welder, im concerned whether it would handle pushing 4 meters of cable since it was never designed to do it.
Im probably fretting over nothing but if im spending £140 on upgrading the welder then last thing i want to have to do is buy a new one 6 months down the line.. its a good welder does everything we ask of it, as i say its done 3 competition cars and 2 trailers for me now. plus numerous repair jobs along the line..
Still prefer to Brass weld though!!! - not too good for pannel work

 

[daf45]

That connector and wire feed should be a quality component.
Tecarc make the portamigs that are popular on here, and that part looks similar to whats inside a portamig.
Mine came with a 4m torch and it feeds the wire consistently - no problem.
Some people prefer 3m torch anyway, just so there isn't always a coiled up meter under your feet.
Good luck and let us know how you get on with it...

 

[BChild]

That connector and wire feed should be a quality component.
Tecarc make the portamigs that are popular on here, and that part looks similar to whats inside a portamig.
Mine came with a 4m torch and it feeds the wire consistently - no problem.
Some people prefer 3m torch anyway, just so there isn't always a coiled up meter under your feet.
Good luck and let us know how you get on with it...

I went with a 3m euro torch for my conversion because I wasn't sure that the WFM etc would be up to much more than the hobby torch length it replaced - it was fine but it's plenty long enough for my needs and the extra length over the hobby torch was a bonus

Very pleased with the quality of the torch sourced from tecarc as well as the service provided - how many sellers provide a mobile phone number for if you have any issues when converting - more to the point he rang me back within 15 mins!!!

Very very impressed

 

[Rosepuds]

The connector is the exact same as fitted to the portamig machines. The feed system is easy enough to fit and comes complete with fitting instructions. The only other thing to check is if the orignal torch has a mechanical valve in the handle or not. If it does, then you will need to fit an electrical solenoid in the machine. A solenoid can be fitted to the machine quite easily, with only 2 wires to connect up, and the guys at tecarc can supply the correct solenoid and a basic wiring diagram.

 

[pedrobedro]

If your feed works alright you can just fit the euro conversion socket for a lot less money. My friend got one from welduk which is not too far from us. He fitted it to an older ERP as it was cheaper to buy that and a euro torch than to repair his older torch.

 

[race-rally&road]

Thanks for all your comments,
pedrobedro - i thought of just fiting a connector and eurotorch but the tensioning mechanism on the ERP is errr, well its crap, its a bit of plastic that holds a m6 bolt and athumb wheel, try and pull it to change the wire and it comes off in your hand so im fanciing a new mechanism to upgrade what otherwise is a nice machine, alright it only does .6 and .8 but thats ample for me as anything bigger is done eirther by gas or by stick.

finally i might make it work how it deserves to...