Lorch or Miller AC Tig?

[samfish]

Hi there,
I am after a bit of help choosing a decent AC/DC Tig.
My budget is £3500 inc VAT tops. I hope to get the machine, torch, foot pedal and complete set-up for this - and hopefully some tips and rod in there too if I can....

I am not particularly Knowledgeable but I plan to learn fast. I was tought on the job using a Miller Dynasty 200dx - and have got to grips (a bit) welding steel, aluminium and a bit of bronze. I work for an artist. I have got a business loan and hope to get qualified too. So I hope to get a machine that can cope with a range of tasks and allow me to experiment whilst learning.

The two brands I have been drawn to are Miller and Lorch.
Miller because that is the machine I am used to, and it seems great!
Lorch because it is European and has an equally strong following.

A 3 year warranty is very appealing. And customer service is important to me, as I am fresh to much of this

Am I missing a vital brand to look at?
Where is best to buy (south-east), price and service?
Which model would you recommend?
Are suppliers willing to sell package 'deals'?

Big thanks for any help in advance
Sam

 

[zzr1200]

Are you planning on working from home or a workshop/unit, do you have access to 3 phase (415V) power or restricted to single phase (240V)???

 

[samfish]

Hi there,
my Dad has a motorsport workshop, so I luckily have some space.
I should have said; I would prefer single phase for the convenience and portability. Although we have 3 phase.

I have been ready posts on this forum for a long time, and am still undecided. I asked for a quote on a Miller Dynasty package and the rep came for a visit to talk through some options. Seemed very helpful, but you never know until the thing goes wrong!

Also worth considering a Kemppi? Only 2 years warrantly though...

 

[Windy Miller]

...Also worth considering a Kemppi? Only 2 years warrantly though...

I have no experience with any sort of Kemppi, but the other day I was chatting about them with my supplier. He told me that they dropped Kemppi as their after sales service was poor. Evidently any failed parts that are required during the warranty period have to be paid for until Kemppi investigate and refund the money.

I have no way to verify is this is either true, or the whole story, but something to enquire about perhaps?

 

[gavuk]

Hi Sam ,matt1978 is a lorch rep and a member here,give him a pm....I've tried the lorch and was very impressed ,not tried the miller but they have a very good reputation....

 

[Shox Dr]

I have no experience with any sort of Kemppi, but the other day I was chatting about them with my supplier. He told me that they dropped Kemppi as their after sales service was poor. Evidently any failed parts that are required during the warranty period have to be paid for until Kemppi investigate and refund the money.

Sounds like they have diagnosed a problem over the phone and sent a replacement part out without sight or test of the old part, why wouldn't they charge for the new part, they are not the only company to do this.

As for service, I've only had to call them once and the problem was sorted within a week.


So to warranty;

EU law since 2001 all goods carry a 2yr warranty. However in British law under The sale of Goods Act 1979 and 1983 state you have upto 6yrs from the date of purchase to make a claim against faulty goods. After 6months it is your responsibility to prove there is a problem

 

[gavuk]

I used a kemmpi multi process machine for 6years ,mig/tig/arc......never had a problem ....lovely welder

 

[hotrodder]

As lovely as Miller kit is personally it wouldn't make my short list for the simple reason that Lorch, Kemppi etc all offer 230A output. OK an extra 30A ain't night and day but you can't use amps you don't have. Dunno when/if it'll be appearing in the UK but Miller are releasing a Dynasty 280 in April...

I suspect you'll struggle to get the Miller within budget. Dunno the going rate for Lorch but a quick google suggests the power source alone is going to be around £3250 with VAT. You'd get the Kemppi as a 'ready to weld' package (probably without footpedal* though) for less than that

* Pedals are 'kin expensive, Shox Dr will explain

 

[pedrobedro]

If you can get the Miller Dynasty 200 DX within your budget you can use it on any voltage from 120 to 460 VAC single or three phase without dismantling it. A friend bought one last year for use in his factory and is impressed with it's capabilities.

 

[Shox Dr]

* Pedals are 'kin expensive, Shox Dr will explain

****
How did you know, Called for a price on one last week as it happens

 

[samfish]

Thanks very much for the replies. All taken on board.

I think your right about the Miller being a bit over my budget... maybe I can wangle a deal.... I'll try!
I will message Matt too, and get a quote on the Kemppi.

I just cannot bring myself to spend more than that
Thanks again.
Sam

 

[GrahamGKD]

* Pedals are 'kin expensive, Shox Dr will explain

I got a Tec-Arc pedal for my Lorch - still expensive but less than the manufacturers original. I think they do them for a range of machines. I had mine from Weldequip here.

 

[astro_al]

There was a Lorch pedal on ebay a few months back - went for a few tenners, I nearly bought it as a spare!

Sam - I have the Lorch T220 and I would recommend it, I expect you could get a deal for one with a pedal in your budget?

Al.

 

[s410man]

try wasp supplies

they did me one hell of a deal on a lorch last year

i have never tried a lorch but they have a 3 year warranty and 5 years on the transformer if applicable

not sure if miller offer the 5 year bit

i am very pleased with my lorch and would buy a tig to go with my mig if i could afford it

have you thought about castolin eutectic?

 

[samfish]

Thanks again for the replies.

I have received a quote for the Miller Dynasty 200 and Lorch T220........

With Miller/Lorch branded foot pedals, torch, regulator leads etc
They are both coming in at around about £3350 inc. VAT (That is the Lorch with the Pro control Panel) +/- a few quid here and there.

They seem like good prices to me, although I am waiting for a few more quotes, and an offer of a Demo of the Lorch

Those pedals are expensive arent they! Lorch £400+VAT - Miller £199+VAT

 

[Shox Dr]

Buy the Lorch.

I've a Kemppi and if that hadn't of come up for daft money then I'd of bought a T220

 

[s410man]

Thanks again for the replies.

I have received a quote for the Miller Dynasty 200 and Lorch T220........

With Miller/Lorch branded foot pedals, torch, regulator leads etc
They are both coming in at around about £3350 inc. VAT (That is the Lorch with the Pro control Panel) +/- a few quid here and there.

They seem like good prices to me, although I am waiting for a few more quotes, and an offer of a Demo of the Lorch

Those pedals are expensive arent they! Lorch £400+VAT - Miller £199+VAT

bit like the lorch torches

i heard they were brought in, rebranded and sold on for stupid money

 

[langy]

Miller every time for me or Lincoln.

 

[Shox Dr]

bit like the lorch torches

i heard they were brought in, rebranded and sold on for stupid money

There's nothing wrong with out sourcing, or do you expect a company to produce the components for the Brains.

It's the quality control and backup you pay for. And that goes for any company, who wants to sell a desirable product

 

[samfish]

Why would you choose Miller Langy? Just interested in any reasons to go for one instead of the other.....
....the near identical prices has made the choice harder!

Do the Lorch torches have power control on them? Is that right?
Seems like a nice touch. And I like the idea of the Job memory!
Although the guy I work for has the Miller, and it has been sat there for 8 years without fault, or a service - despite it being a dusty/damp'ish environment....

I am waiting to hear back from Matt at Lorch, to see if I can view a machine.