Metabo welders

[bump]

I just picked up the latest Screwfux catalogue and notice that the wolf welders have gone and now they have Metabo units in. I was unaware Metabo having anything to do with welding.

Can anyone shed any light on them? TBH, I've never tried any of their tools, but they haven't been nagged about.

 

[irondarren]

http://www.metabo.co.uk/metabo/halbstationaere_stationaere/uk/en/produkte/mig_magweldingsystems/inertgasweldingsystemmig_mag140_0271071507.html

Not sure about there welders, but if it follows there other tools the quality should be good. BUt in saying that in the past few yrs there products have got cheaper to compete with the likes of Bosch and Dewalt (there tools are made in the far east), In my opinion of the way to make things cheaper is to use cheaper parts. I did notice that it cares Metabo's XXL warranty which is 3 yrs. (weldequip will tell you that, a 3yr warrenty is worth something). ON the whole over the years any metabo tool i have bought has always been up to the job.

Best people to ask are weldequip or diywelding, as they are both in the trade, you get to hear noises about how good or bad something is

 

[Wozzaaah]

At least they're honest about the machine's capabilities, not claiming it can weld thicknesses it obviously can't like other manufacturers do. Terrible duty cycle though, ok for light automotive use but not much else.

 

[Wozzaaah]

And very pricey!

 

[Baz-Cem]

£1000 for a mig thats not in the same league as a Portamig. I don't Weldequip will be quakeing just yet

 

[irondarren]

Got a link for those prices Baz?

 

[Landyandy]

http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/cat.jsp?cId=100333&ts=40972

 

[irondarren]

To expensive for screwfix users and of course they are 3 phase, have to wonder why screwfix are selling them.

 

[Hitch]

If they are half as good as the handheld stuff, they should be very good.

They used to brand their machine tools as Electra Beckum, which was good gear.
I think they make there own stuff, not just generic rubbish with a different coloured label.

Looks like reasonably compact units, and i like the pto on the front, i have often wondered why more dont do that.

 

[steve202]

What's a PTO?

 

[JimM]

What's a PTO?

Power Take Off ??

 

[irondarren]

PTO is what you have on a tractor lol

 

[steve202]

Ah! Righto. I'm a bit dim, thanks for putting up with my questions.

 

[Ratty]

Well I'm even dimmer then...what ARE you all talking about

 

[bump]

I'm not considering buying one. They did seem rather pricey for the spec IMO. Though as I'm reading from the catalogue the 150 and 170 appear to be both single and 3ph.

I think the Portamig is still going to rule the roost.
Speaking of which I wonder how Steve is getting on with the smaller version?

 

[irondarren]

Ratty we was talking about cake making lol

 

[steve202]

I just searced PTO/welders and sure enough, there are tractors with output shafts driving welders.

 

[irondarren]

Bump it does seem if you have the extra funding a portamig seems to be the way to go. I think everyone that has bought one is generally delighted with its performance. You could argue that most DIYer's would be delighted with any machine thats better than one of the most basic clarke type units (No Disrespect to anyone), but i believe some of those who have bought them, have a lot of experience in welding, and are still delighted with them.

 

[weldequip]

They used to brand their machine tools as Electra Beckum, which was good gear.

Electra Beckum welders, circa late 80's, were bloody awfull!
The Metabo welders are manufactured by the German company MAHE, although I don't think they are actually made in Germany... Eastern Europe.

I suspect they have been inundated with returns on their Wolf gear, had enough/cost them too much & so are trying at the opposite end of the scale.
weldequip