Mig inverter

[Landy Lad]

I have currently got a portamig 185 for doing my hobby, vw campers and beetles. I have now had to move my bus out of the shed as I need it to work in. My bus is now outside sheeted up and I can't see it going back in the shed for a fair while. I am thinking of selling my 185 portamig to buy an inverter that would be easier to take up the garden to do a bit on my bus when I get chance.

I am considering either a Kemppi miniarc evo 170, I have seen these at Rapid welding for £838.80inc or an Esab caddy c160i from weldequip for £669. The warranty seems similar, the Kemppi has an lcd panel. Which would be the best to go for? Which one is the cheapest to buy a new torch for etc?

Thanks in advance.

Colin.

 

[Desertrat]

It would be good to see at least one reply here, surely someone has some info?

Check out the net, I looked at a 181i, looks good but the duty cycle is not as good as other, although the company's add is is very good I have to say. If it does what it says as a multi function machine then it would appear to be great value. I am looking to but something along the same lines, Kemppi 200evo or Esab caddy200i, I never seem to get a clear answer from my thread,in fact very few, I am sure it is down to personal preference? I need mine to run off a generator, and have conflicting views of what kva generator is required? laying out a £1000 and not knowing what you are buying....very risky!

Mick

PS I have to say that there are so many "what is the best" questions on this site, it must drive the regulars insane!

 

[Beanmetalworks]

i have a esab caddy 200i love it got mine from wasp they have been really good but as much as i love it i dnt love fact it has broken twice now the boards inside have gone wrong twice. but then i can fault it when working i would go for the lcd screened 200 rather than the 160. as for torch hmmm the one i got has the torch built in almost so i can see that being quite expensive to change. when your using it you can see y it cost quite a bit for its size very clever machine. does that help.?

 

[F.J.]

i have a esab caddy 200i love it got mine from wasp they have been really good but as much as i love it i dnt love fact it has broken twice now the boards inside have gone wrong twice. but then i can fault it when working i would go for the lcd screened 200 rather than the 160. as for torch hmmm the one i got has the torch built in almost so i can see that being quite expensive to change. when your using it you can see y it cost quite a bit for its size very clever machine. does that help.?

Have you ever tried it on ally?

 

[Beanmetalworks]

if im honest no got all kit to do ally with about year ago but no got round to it yet.

 

[Mid Wales welder]

We tried the Kemmpi evo200 at work recently with poor results! Would weld anything near as thinck as what it says. I also didn't like the fact that it doesn't have a euro tourch!

 

[Landy Lad]

Hi thanks for replies, not the best reports for either so far then. Might have a look at the thermal arc range, or get some off road tyres on me Portamig and drag it up the garden.
Do murex do one? I guess anything Miller or Lincoln would be a fortune.

Thanks again.

 

[Mid Wales welder]

The thermal arc welders are all pretty good, well priced too. We just got a miller mpi220 at work, excellant bit of kit! think it's about £1300.

 

[Desertrat]

Very disappointing results from the Kemppi, I have to confess it was my first choice. But if it doesn't do what it says on the tin....and at a grand, it should!
Would like to hear other comments about the 200evo, as I have heard good things about it. I need something easy to carry, reliable and will run off a 6kva genny...any further suggestions? I did look at the GYS pearl, but something didn't feel right....maybe it was me?

 

[wheresmejumper]

i have a kemppi adaptive 180 since xmas and it works great
yesterday had it running off a 40 meter extension chord and 13amp fuse welding 4mm without a problem.
its definitely not over specced,on manual itll weld thicker than advertised

 

[Desertrat]

The thermal arc welders are all pretty good, well priced too. We just got a miller mpi220 at work, excellant bit of kit! think it's about £1300.

Have just had a look at the Miller MPI220p, it does look very impressive, and stick welder too, which for me would mean I can leave my stick welder in the workshop when mobile!
Have you got any details on it as cant find any video, also where you bought it?

Thanks

 

[Mid Wales welder]

i have a kemppi adaptive 180 since xmas and it works great
yesterday had it running off a 40 meter extension chord and 13amp fuse welding 4mm without a problem.
its definitely not over specced,on manual itll weld thicker than advertised

I haven't used that machine, but I know the evo200 wouldn't weld anything near what we wanted on alluminium! Unless it was just a dodgey welder we had lol!

 

[Mid Wales welder]

Have just had a look at the Miller MPI220p, it does look very impressive, and stick welder too, which for me would mean I can leave my stick welder in the workshop when mobile!
Have you got any details on it as cant find any video, also where you bought it?

Thanks

Yes I tried looking for it on the miller website but no joy! I did find this tho http://www.millerwelds.com/pdf/spec_sheets/DCM9-5UK.pdf

We got it from salop industrial welding supplies, based in Shrewsbury, but I'm sure that any welding supplier would be able to get them!

If you have any questions just let me know

 

[wyn]

I haven't used that machine, but I know the evo200 wouldn't weld anything near what we wanted on alluminium! Unless it was just a dodgey welder we had lol!

The 180 i have is only good for 2.5mm aluminium flat out.

 

[wheresmejumper]

havent tried ally yet