GYS 162 or second hand Portamig 185?

[Lufbramatt]

Hi all,

Just getting into welding so have been researching MIG welders. I'll be using it for car bodywork and the occasional bit of fabrication, nothing thicker than 3-4mm though. As with anything though I get the impression that cheap "beginner" welders aren't actually that great for beginners so am going to spend a little bit more and get something nicer quality that should last me longer.

Initially it will have to run on a 13A plug but I'm just about to rewire my garage so could fit a 16A socket in the near future.

I was liking the look of the GYS 162 with it's nice clear front panel, seems to be a well thought of machine, but have found a lightly used 2nd hand Portamig 185 locally including gas regulator for pretty much the same price as a new GYS + reg. Both these machines are right at the top of my budget so can't go down the "add another 50 quid and get the next size up" route.

What sort of money should a used Portamig 185 fetch? I'm aware they are £600+ machines new. which would be the better machine to go for?

 

[Tom Orrow L]

I'd go GYS simply because of the really simple front panel. They're very nice bits of kit mate.

 

[cumbriasteve]

I would go for the Portamig..as long as it is as nice as you suggest, and that's the trouble... both good machines so I doubt you are going to get a decisive vote because most people would be happy using either machine.

 

[addjunkie]

I would go for the Portamig..as long as it is as nice as you suggest, and that's the trouble... both good machines so I doubt you are going to get a decisive vote because most people would be happy using either machine.

This is very true, portamig tecarc and oxford are very similar machines from the same stable so to speak.

Now buying used, dont pidgeon hole yourself into waiting for ever for a particular machine, good used migs in Home user sizes dont come up all the often, in the right location, right condition, at the right price. When they do at auction they arnt always so cheap.

If going used have a suitable selection.

Id buy the portamig too.

 

[Lufbramatt]

Thanks all. I don't have any loyalty for any particular brand, just been looking out for decent machines. Agree that good ones don't seem to come up that often, although I'm happy to travel for the right bit of kit, a lot of the stuff I'm seeing looks battered and grotty (I know they could still work perfectly electrically but welders do have various mechanical parts that need looking after).

Have messaged the seller of the Portamig, hopefully can go have a look at it as it's only 15mins away from me.

 

[Wozzaaah]

I'd go GYS simply because of the really simple front panel. They're very nice bits of kit mate.

As opposed to the 185's hugely complicated one?
Errmmm....

 

[brewdexta]

When I began MIG, my first machine was (and still is) a Portamig 185, I've done some really nice welding with it, and some not so good, I know the bad welding is definitely down to me not the machine. Works a treat, no regrets. However I haven't tried any other MIG welder so a bit one sided.

 

[arther dailey]

I have owned both, Portamig all the way, that way as you get better you have more of a machine to "grow " into. dont get me wrong gys is excellent machine. why limit yourself for the future.Arther

 

[julianf]

Just for guidance, I have a portamig 215.
2nd hand, but virtually unused, off eBay, with a near full roll (large size) of wire.

Price was 350. Which isn't an every day price, but more of a "keep your eye out" one.

 

[Lufbramatt]

Just for guidance, I have a portamig 215.
2nd hand, but virtually unused, off eBay, with a near full roll (large size) of wire.

Price was 350. Which isn't an every day price, but more of a "keep your eye out" one.

Thanks. This is slightly more but the same ball park, including gas reg, torch and wire. Which actually makes it cheaper than the GYS machine.

I guess with buying second hand you're always going to get a good chunk of your money back if it doesn't work out.

 

[Tom Orrow L]

As opposed to the 185's hugely complicated one?
Errmmm....

Hahaha, I know he portamig's ain't difficult but by simple I mean it gives the chart to help with getting appropriate settings for the right thickness

 

[gaz1]

for me im not keen on the gys its a digital interface something i cant stand and just another piece of tech that can go wrong with it prefer a dial more than digital as the dials will outlast the digital anyday

theres nothing wrong with the clarks either may be easy to learn upon but also nearly sells for its same value and plenty has been sold over the years dosnt cost a fortune and gets you going for small work or perfectly capable of doing this for car bodywork and the occasional bit of fabrication

ive thrown quite a lot of materials at mine and welded enough with it over the time ive been here 1mm right up to 5mm and some ive tried on thinner to play with

 

[Bill Edwards]

Having used neither but read about them both often enough on here (and nearly gave into temptation and got a gys) I'd be going portamig. Should be slightly better built and has a little more power which is never a bad thing, even if you never use it.

for me im not keen on the gys its a digital interface something i cant stand and just another piece of tech that can go wrong with it prefer a dial more than digital as the dials will outlast the digital anyday

They're not digital display...

 

[julianf]

They're not digital display...

I've not looked tonight, but isn't it just a table printed on a sticker?

If so, I figure I could do that with a printer and a laminator on my portamig. Or even skip them and use a marker pen on the lid.

But maybe I've got the wrong end of the stick?

 

[Wallace]

The low 15A capability of the Portamig is something to consider for bodywork compared to the GYS 30A minimum.

 

[Bill Edwards]

I've not looked tonight, but isn't it just a table printed on a sticker?

If so, I figure I could do that with a printer and a laminator on my portamig. Or even skip them and use a marker pen on the lid.

But maybe I've got the wrong end of the stick?

No, that's exactly what I see as well.

 

[WorkshopChris]

I think it comes down to how long you expect the machine to last and if you want to offset longevity for portability and easy set up.
The portamig is transformer based its going to be big and heavy but no reason why it still won't be running in 30 plus years time, if you have a problem between now and 2046 it will be easily repairable.
The gys is a good machine portable and lighter with a good front panel set up, but although i haven't seen inside on it will almost certainly use surface mount components. If a processor or any type of programed chip dies then its only repairable if you can still find a manufacturer's part. Wouldn't want to say how well they will stand up in use but like all modern machines parts availability may be doubtful or costly. Capacitor are the normal culprate to fail first normally tacking something else with them.
Edit and apologies i was thinking of the Gys MultiPearl i was looking at in a suppliers recently. The 162 is just switches and wire feed. No digital control front panel.

 

[julianf]

My portamig isn't really portable. Or at least not easily on anything that is not a flat floor.

 

[Lufbramatt]

I gather the portamig weighs a shade under 50kg so yes it is quite a lump!

I do like stuff that will last a long time, my hifi is all 20 year old British made stuff which still sounds great, one of my cars is 26 years old with 273000 miles on it and refuses to die (and that's not the one that needs welding!)

Long term I have plans with my brother in law to build a kit car, when our boys are both old enough to get involved - but they're both 1 at the moment so will be a few years time yet, lots of time for practicing!

 

[Bill Edwards]

I think it comes down to how long you expect the machine to last and if you want to offset longevity for portability and easy set up.
The portamig is transformer based its going to be big and heavy but no reason why it still won't be running in 30 plus years time, if you have a problem between now and 2046 it will be easily repairable.
The gys is a good machine portable and lighter with a good front panel set up, but although i haven't seen inside on it will almost certainly use surface mount components. If a processor or any type of programed chip dies then its only repairable if you can still find a manufacturer's part. Wouldn't want to say how well they will stand up in use but like all modern machines parts availability may be doubtful or costly. Capacitor are the normal culprate to fail first normally tacking something else with them.

The gys is also a transformer machine, not an inverter.
I'd still expect the portamig to outlast it though, and that isn't knocking the gys which by all accounts is a great little machine.