Hi guys, carry on from this thread searching for a good welder, I decided to go with the TecArc, my plan was to only go for the 180 version of either, but after a bit reading, discussion and hearing ideas on here, I expanded the budget that bit further and went for the Prof-Mig221 version instead. The reason for that was because it gives me a bit more head room for welding heavier material, it has smoothing caps as standard and also comes with a Heavy duty contactor where the lower model don't.
So my budget which originally started out at £250-300 before starting that thread above, has more than doubled, however.......I'm impressed
The bad bit, not TA's fault at all, they couldn't have made it more clear that it was fragile/damageable.
It arrived today in the back of a Tuffnels van, unfortunately I'd had no word form Technical arc that it was on it's way, so wasn't expecting it and wasn't here when it arrived. The driver threw a few parcels about, got back out the van to check paperwork, "oh it's a heavy one" then, a few more parcels flung about, then clunk, clunk, clunk as it was rolled out the van end over end
. I got on the phone to TA about the delivery and they couldn't have been more helpful and apologetic, but told me it should be OK, any damage to let them know and they'd help, but test it and make sure it works.
The good bits :-
I spoke with TA about their advertised "Shop Soiled" machines on eBay and if they could do anything about the price if I bought direct, so they saved me a decent amount and included delivery, which was great given my initial budget - top guys - anyone thinking about buying one would be worth you doing the same.
When I paid for it I was expecting it to be sent right away, being "Shop Soiled" - however, they said, it'll be a couple of weeks as we need to build it - OK thought it was shop soiled - errm yeah, sort of, it's made from parts we have in the shop.....
Unpacked the machine and couldn't see a mark on it, it's a brand spanking new build, I was expecting at least a scratch on the surface, but honestly, nothing there.
Extremely easy to assemble, though it weighs I think, about 18 tonne
so was a bit awkward to get the Wheels on. Wheeled into the garage, connected gas bottle, put wire in, connected the euro torch and switched it on....all good so far, everything working as it should, the wire spooled no problem at all, now all I have to do is test the actual function.
Earth strap onto the first bit of steel I could find and zap, clatter, buzz, sparks everywhere.....wow that's awful! thought it was supposed to have smoothing caps?
It's best to turn the gas on when you're welding, yeah? Ahhhh
Turn gas on and bzzzzzzzzzzzz.
Literally only had time to make sure that it would weld, but even after those 5 seconds or so of weld, I can just see that we are going to get on really well, it is so unbelievably smooth, I've been used to working with a 40 year old snap on 130 turbo, this thing is on another level. Can't wait to get testing it at the weekend, but first impressions are, it's an amazing welder, glad I went for the higher model and very grateful for TA's help and the persuasion on here to go for this over the RTec welder.
So my budget which originally started out at £250-300 before starting that thread above, has more than doubled, however.......I'm impressed
The bad bit, not TA's fault at all, they couldn't have made it more clear that it was fragile/damageable.
It arrived today in the back of a Tuffnels van, unfortunately I'd had no word form Technical arc that it was on it's way, so wasn't expecting it and wasn't here when it arrived. The driver threw a few parcels about, got back out the van to check paperwork, "oh it's a heavy one" then, a few more parcels flung about, then clunk, clunk, clunk as it was rolled out the van end over end
. I got on the phone to TA about the delivery and they couldn't have been more helpful and apologetic, but told me it should be OK, any damage to let them know and they'd help, but test it and make sure it works.The good bits :-
I spoke with TA about their advertised "Shop Soiled" machines on eBay and if they could do anything about the price if I bought direct, so they saved me a decent amount and included delivery, which was great given my initial budget - top guys - anyone thinking about buying one would be worth you doing the same.
When I paid for it I was expecting it to be sent right away, being "Shop Soiled" - however, they said, it'll be a couple of weeks as we need to build it - OK thought it was shop soiled - errm yeah, sort of, it's made from parts we have in the shop.....
Unpacked the machine and couldn't see a mark on it, it's a brand spanking new build, I was expecting at least a scratch on the surface, but honestly, nothing there.
Extremely easy to assemble, though it weighs I think, about 18 tonne
so was a bit awkward to get the Wheels on. Wheeled into the garage, connected gas bottle, put wire in, connected the euro torch and switched it on....all good so far, everything working as it should, the wire spooled no problem at all, now all I have to do is test the actual function.Earth strap onto the first bit of steel I could find and zap, clatter, buzz, sparks everywhere.....wow that's awful! thought it was supposed to have smoothing caps?
It's best to turn the gas on when you're welding, yeah? Ahhhh
Turn gas on and bzzzzzzzzzzzz.
Literally only had time to make sure that it would weld, but even after those 5 seconds or so of weld, I can just see that we are going to get on really well, it is so unbelievably smooth, I've been used to working with a 40 year old snap on 130 turbo, this thing is on another level. Can't wait to get testing it at the weekend, but first impressions are, it's an amazing welder, glad I went for the higher model and very grateful for TA's help and the persuasion on here to go for this over the RTec welder.
I'm sure you'll have a long and successful relationship with this welder 
strange, I googled it last night , 211 prof, fitted with 4 roll drive ?anyways yes best bet have a chat, its easy to get confused with two roll drive though, as that is normally one driven and one roller rather than proper geared 2 roll drive ,if its a keeper I would suggest geared 2 roll ,cant see how any 2 roll can be better than 4 roll(geared all wheels) personally