mig welder , step up from 'hobby' type

[Mikey D]

ok guys mig welding newbie here ive done some in the past but mostly arc and tig ...
im looking to buy a mig welder , for fabrication work anything from 2mm up to 10mm plate ,ocassionally .
The machine wont be in daily use but i do want something up to the job and half decent

what sort of amperage would i need for the 10mm plate ,allso bearing in mind that it would need to run off a 240 v supply (extension lead wired into the cooker outlet )

ive had some specs and prices of the portamig machines already , just wondered if any one had anything bad to say about them , it all seems very positive from what ive read .....
or any other recommended machines that wont break the bank ?

cheers guys

p.s. the cooker outlet thing was a joke ,bet some have tried it tho

 

[irondarren]

which portamig machine did you ask about?.
Im currently using a 250amp thermoarc machine that copes with 10mm plate no problem (runs from 32amp socket and fuse) The portamig 261 would be the nearest equivelent to what i have. it does depend on what you are doing with it really. the portamig 211 doesnt have a particularly high duty cycle at top end, has the nice low 20amp bottom end for sheet welding. if its going to be run at full or close to full power a lot then the smaller machine might need cooling down breaks. if you can overheat the portamig 261 then your really are a busy. The bigger portamigs, probaly have the best duty cycle around for there size.

I spent plenty of time looking at the portamigs and doing research and reading feed back from members. i have come to the conclusion, the reason they are so reasonably priced and solid machines is because they are no frills. No spot timer and no stich timer (something my current machine has but i have never used). you get a very basic welder, with good wire feed and smooth welding capacity, which in reality is what you need. Less gadgits to break, means a solid reliable machine. (shame car makers don't think the same way)

 

[Mikey D]

So you think 250 amps is ok for 10mm thickness ?i think most of its use would be on 3mm box section //tube etc but it would be good to have the extra capacity for the ocssional big job tho.
i dont have the portamig specs on me now but i have the specs for all the 240v machines (i think
i think the duty cycle would be fine ,i notice they(portamigs) dont have a cooling fan fitted . i wonder why this is or dont the higher quality machines need them ?

cheers mike

 

[irondarren]

Not sure about the fan cooling on a portamig, would have to ask weldequip. Having said that there are some old arc welding units that are air cooled, with no fan, but you would be hard pushed to overheat them. A lot depends on how big the transformer is, big oversized transformer means it can disperse the heat. Small transformers tend to over heat. having a choke also makes a difference.

Mr Weldequip are portamig fan cooled?

 

[Mikey D]

Hmmm , well i have a picture of the portamig internals and can clearly see a couple of big transformers ,contactor ,rectifier etc but no fan .the front panel is louvered to let air in /out tho so i guess they are using a nice large transformer to get the good duty cycle

Thanks for the help darren , anyone else out there will some portamig reviews/experiences ?

 

[irondarren]

mikey can you post the pics of the internals?

 

[Mikey D]

unfourtunatly not ! one printed off copy here and no scanner

 

[irondarren]

no worries i just like to see things naked lol as im to tight to buy myself a copy of playboy, i thought a naked pic of a portamig was the next best thing lol

 

[weldequip]

They are fan cooled chaps.
Mikey D what type of work are you hoping to do? Portamig also do a full industrial spec.range with a 60% duty cycle at full power (30% on standard models).
weldequip

 

[Mikey D]

I hold my head in shame , ok i think i can make out the fan now in my pic ,just below the gas solonoid

i think im leaning towards the 251 model 25-255 amps , weldequip i think i saiod more or less what im going to be using it for earlier in the thread

cheers mike

 

[bright-spark]

Steve Mr weldequip sent me some hot photos a little while back they are a little sticky at this stage but don't mind shearing them with you Darren.

Portamig strip show Just click it below

 

[irondarren]

Just had a good look at it naked, think it probaly proves my point that simplicity is the best. There is no silly complicated things to break, primary and secondary transformer with nice thick copper wire, 2 transformers are better than one for smoother power delivery. simple pcb for wire speed control away from the transformers so it can get hot, solid wire feeder unit (not that disimilar to the one on my current welder, which stops for nothing) with good size wire feed motor. looks a well built machine ideal for someone who is very serious about restoration work on cars, and wants to do the odd bit of fabrication or gates and railing. I can see now why weldequip sells them