Honest opinion required!

[dickidido1471]

Hi,

I have just registered today, but have been searching the forum for information for a while. So here is the dilema: I need a new mig (last one -einhall 130 turbo - died a while ago). Its official use will be for manufacturing brackets to go inside sunbeds (M12 binx nut to 3mm steel plate) because the company will be purchasing the machine (so no point going for diy machine). However I know from past experience that it will be used for car rerpair/restoration.

It is not going to get a lot of use (we normally make about 100-150 brackets a year) so its not worth renting an argoshield bottle - we will therefore go down the pub co2 route.

The welder will be used in different places (the unit for the brackets and the mother in laws house for car work) so I need to pick it up and put it in the van on my own.

The choices currently are lincoln compact 185 (second hand 6 weeks old at £300ish) or is it worth the extra and splash out on a portamig 181?

Constructive criticism or serious alternatives welcome !

 

[irondarren]

The one thing with a brand new one is it comes with a nice guarentee, so there is no hassle. The portamig goes down to 20amps which is exceptionally low, good for car work. 180amps will do 6mm plate with no trouble. Lincoln's are i believe well built machines, but from pic's ive seen of the portamigs they look well built as well, the wire drive system looks solid and reliable. Personally if your budget will go the extra money i would purchase brand new, new machine with brand new torch and regulator, which should give a lifetime of trouble free service

 

[bright-spark]

I'll back up Darren for what you are doing a new Portamig any day hassle free good back up service good price free posting and a regulator comes with it. Lots of users on this forum so you can ask loads of questions regarding setup and use and it is very well built.

 

[shenion]

That sounds like a good deal on the Lincoln, they are good units. The 175/180 would be my choice if i were to buy new as PortaMIG is not an option here.

 

[Haze]

isnt the new portamig that steve was blowing said trumpet of recently more fitting of the bill?

 

[migmag]

Put it this way my next set will be a portamig.

 

[Gasman]

How much are Portamigs these days then?

Got to be worth a tad extra on a new one IMO.
The time saved and the satisfaction of a quality job should pay for itself.

 

[Haze]

i dont think the price will be different? its a different style of machine iirc, more portable.