Help me decide please

[Brian J]

Hi guys ok i don’t have a set budget but I need some advise please. I can’t decide on a multi process machine or buying a new MIG and a new ARC with TIG function.

I’ve been looking at the ESAB Redel seems to tick all the boxes but Read some bad things so I’m really unsure now!! Any advice and recommendations are much appreciated.

What I will be welding mainly square box section with up to 5mm thick wall and up to 5mm thick plate and 10 mill mild steel flat bar for automatic gates and possibly some car body work and general fabrication. Currently have a Clarke 151en a sunglow 200A arc and the use of a esab buddy arc 180A I like all 3 machines but they are budget machines and I want something better thanks. EDIT to add that flux core would be a advantage so I can use mig setup on site sometimes using the stick is hard to get in under the gates so this will solve that issue

 

[Joe45]

Hello . What kind of budget have you ? . If you want a 3 in one welder that will do stick tig and mig look at the termal arc 181i . If you want a stick welder I bought a migatronic focus stick 160e it is a very nice machine.

 

[Tom Orrow L]

Sounds like a you need a dual voltage multi process set around 200A of which there only 4 in the UK market (iirc, correct me if im wrong)
Those being -
ESAB Rebel 215 EMP
GYS Multi Pearl 200.2/200.4XL
Thermal Arc Fabricator 211i
Fronius Transteel 2200

Theres a large range of price points there so a budget would probably be a good thing in assisting you to choose the right machine.

 

[Arclikeharrypotter]

Sorry to hijack this thread, but have you used the fronius machine you've mentioned or the 2500 Tom?

 

[Tom Orrow L]

Sorry to hijack this thread, but have you used the fronius machine you've mentioned or the 2500 Tom?

Nope, don't deal with Fronius at all.. However, I know they're very high quality bits of kit at a very high price point, unless being used in heavy industrial conditions its probably not the one I'd be considering.

 

[Arclikeharrypotter]

As with everything fronius it comes at an expense. But everytime I use a fronius machine im always left happy.

As for the other 3 machines. The thermal arc 211i is a nice macine, mig and stick are big good. Not used the to side. But the fan is a real pain in the behind.

 

[Tom Orrow L]

As with everything fronius it comes at an expense. But everytime I use a fronius machine im always left happy.

As for the other 3 machines. The thermal arc 211i is a nice macine, mig and stick are big good. Not used the to side. But the fan is a real pain in the behind.

It certainly does, and its worth every penny if being utilised in the right environment.

Out of the three my least favourite is the Thermal Arc, that being said its a perfectly good machine.. I just very much enjoy the synergic set up on both the other machines. The GYS has got plenty of nice features (power factor correction, flexible voltage, 4 roll feed, mig brazing feature) and so has the ESAB (an easier controlled synergic set up, dual voltage & a very protected build) , one looks sexier than the other & the warranty is a little different between the two. Plenty of things to consider

 

[Brian J]

Hi guys thanks for the replies I am a novice welder but I do quite a bit for work and personal stuff so the esab makes things look a little easier but it is top end of what I want to pay out and don’t want to pay it to be confronted with all kinds of issues with it however for any bad stuff I’ve read there is plenty of good so not sure what to do and still not sure if I should just buy a decent mig and a decent arc with tig function ??

 

[Tom Orrow L]

Hi guys thanks for the replies I am a novice welder but I do quite a bit for work and personal stuff so the esab makes things look a little easier but it is top end of what I want to pay out and don’t want to pay it to be confronted with all kinds of issues with it however for any bad stuff I’ve read there is plenty of good so not sure what to do and still not sure if I should just buy a decent mig and a decent arc with tig function ??

Do you mind me asking what bad stuff you've heard about the ESAB?
Are you planning on doing a lot of stick/TIG?

 

[Brian J]

Do you mind me asking what bad stuff you've heard about the ESAB?
Are you planning on doing a lot of stick/TIG?

Hi tom thanks mate. mainly it crashing and not starting up and plastic parts being hard to get and damaging quickly, however I have read way more good stuff about it and it does tick all my boxes. as a novice is it worth the cost! is my main question. I do love the esab buddy arc in work it’s a great little machine and works main 3 phrase mig is esab and it’s also a great machine. Stick is what I use mostly on site and mig I use at home for my own projects tig is because I think it looks great and I really want to learn it.

 

[Brian J]

Thanks for all the help guys I watched a load of YouTube stuff and read reviews and decided on the esab rebel

 

[Tom Orrow L]

Thanks for all the help guys I watched a load of YouTube stuff and read reviews and decided on the esab rebel

Certainly a solid choice, I've not heard of many problems with them yet so it'll serve you well

 

[Brian J]

Thanks tom much appreciated mate