GYS 162 or second hand Portamig 185?

[Tom Orrow L]

I was just about to comment concerning the transfer base of the GYS. GYS also manufacturer all their own kit within their own factories so I doubt they'll be running out of spare parts anytime soon, and as this machine is one of the most popular from their range I doubt they'll be binning it in the near future.

 

[BChild]

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!)

Well I'll throw my opinion in to the ring - I'm very much the same - 20 yr old british hifi and cars with reg dates of 1972, 1979, 1985, 1991 plus a couple of rusty moderns (1998 and 2001 that rust faster than the older stuff)

If they are similar price or even if the portamig is a smidge more get the portamig - yes "portable it isn't unless two people lift it into a large boot" but treat it nice and it should last you a lifetime - prices of new ones are only going to go up so second hand prices of a "highly regarded" welding machine are always going to stay reasonably strong so you won't lose much if you ever came to sell it.

My only regret is spending as long as I did sodding around with an SIP when I should have done what I normally do and buy the absolute best I can right from the start...... But then at the start I only wanted to tack a couple of brackets on in an engine bay after a heart transplant to keep an MOT tester a little happier......

 

[Lufbramatt]

Well, have just got home with the portamig in the back of the car, it's in great condition with little signs of use, guy selling it was really genuine and did a great deal on it which made it a nice chunk cheaper than the GYS. Can't wait to get some gas sorted and see what this welding lark is all about!

Thanks for your input everyone, and expect many more questions in due course.... :-)

 

[arther dailey]

Well done, I dont think you will regret it, they are a good tool. Enjoy , there are loads of guys on here who can give good advice if you need any. Arther

 

[julianf]

You'll now need to battle boc's outdated computer system for a gas cylinder then!

I'd be interested to know what your spend was in the end?

 

[Lufbramatt]

I think I'm going to go with Adams gas rent free to start with, their depot in Margate is across the road from my old office but annoyingly we have moved to a new place! But not a huge detour on the way home any how. If I start using loads of gas I'll sort out a BOC account.

 

[Wallace]

You will use a fair bit of gas practicing so the Volkzone deal on Argoshield Light will probably save you money compared to the rent fee options as the BOC cylinders are filled to a higher pressure. Get one of these on order to save money on wasted gas from day one.........

 

[julianf]

I calculated that if you use more than one fill every (i cant remember how long, maybe 18 months?) then boc worked out cheaper.

The issue with the rent free is the cost of the fills. Fine if you never use any gas at all, but you only need to get it filled virtually never, and the boc deal works out cheaper.

 

[julianf]

You will use a fair bit of gas practicing so the Volkzone deal on Argoshield Light will probably save you money compared to the rent fee options as the BOC cylinders are filled to a higher pressure. Get one of these on order to save money on wasted gas from day one.........

I have one of those from when i had a tig, but i cant see how to use it with the mig, without modding the machine to stop the wire feeding?

 

[Bill Edwards]

Just slacken off the tensioner on the feed rollers to nil and it won't feed.

 

[Jim Davey]

Not really fair to compare the two, the Portamig is substantially more expensive when new. I'd be tempted to offer the Portamig owner £350 as an opener and see how close to £450-475 it got if I was an end user, provided it doesn't look like a shed that is.
The GYS is a fine little set for the money though and I don't think you'd regret it, but I'd be tempted by the sturdier chassis and extra top end you'd get on the bigger machine.