Murex?

[cobminor]

Anyone got any experience or opinion on the Tradesmig 165? Thanks.

 

[aarch]

I use a Tradesmig 185, which must be similar. Robust, reliable (so far) quite a high price in the first instance, but the dealer promised long term support if there were any problems down the line. The only thing that surprised me was that it shut off after less than an hour on full power. I expected a bit more from it than that, but It's fairly unusual for me to make such demands of it so I suppose I can put up with that.

 

[weldequip]

Anyone got any experience or opinion on the Tradesmig 165? Thanks.

An old model now but a good, reliable workhorse. If it's a second hand one you have your eye on make sure it's only had light use in a garage & not been hammered in a fabrication shop.
weldequip

 

[weldequip]

The only thing that surprised me was that it shut off after less than an hour on full power.

That's good going! A full industrial beast of a machine will only have a 60% Duty Cycle at best, which = 6 minutes welding out of every 10.
weldequip

 

[cobminor]

Weldequip,

I think the use has been light as the guy has a 13A plug on it and it needs a 20A supply to run at full bore. Bit on the pricy side though, time to think, sod it.

 

[weldequip]

Has he said what he's been using it for? The reason I said ideally from a garage (as the set is designed for) is that it's unlikely to have done any heavy work. All too often, however, people buy machines like that for fabricating, farmers, wrought iron work, etc. and it will have been used on more or less maximum power all the time, ie.thrashed.
weldequip

 

[cobminor]

Weldequip,

He can't have been using it on max. power with a 13A plug on and he has always had it like that. On the side of the machine it has consumption for various outputs and 160A is a 20A input, 130A is a 13A input. It also looks good, earth clamp is not burnt to hell etc.

 

[weldequip]

He can if there's a bolt in the fuse holder! Give it a good going over, as I said, it's an old machine. (a replacement circuit board can be £130)
weldequip

 

[aarch]

That's good going! A full industrial beast of a machine will only have a 60% Duty Cycle at best, which = 6 minutes welding out of every 10.
weldequip

Good point, it was probably less than half an hour, but it bugged me that it cut out when I was just getting going.

 

[weldequip]

You must have been welding some pretty heavy stuff?
weldequip

 

[cobminor]

This is the one, I have mailed the guy for a few answers but he has gone off line now. I also have a price from him. http://tinyurl.com/2zrr33

 

[aarch]

I was going a bit over the top having a play with it, going over some seams for a second time, power trip probably, see what it was like. Disappointing when you have to stop sometimes. What's the right attitude, regulate usage to five minute stints, or just accept that they cut out when they have to.

 

[cobminor]

I've been the victim of a thread hi-jack.

 

[weldequip]

Certainly looks nice & clean. All depends on how the auction goes; I wouldn't spend over £250 - £300 absoloute tops on it.
weldequip

 

[aarch]

I've been the victim of a thread hi-jack.

Sorry, mate, easy to forget the nature of these forum things.

 

[cobminor]

Aarch, only joking pal.

Weldequip, £250 is my limit. A good one of these went for £120 a few weeks ago with all the gear and Two helmets. I don't need prompts now but it is either a 2nd hand Murex or a Portamig 211.

 

[aarch]

You could arrange to go and meet the seller, see if you can get a clearer picture of the history of the machine, take a wad of cash just in case. If it's not far away from you.

 

[weldequip]

Aarch, only joking pal.

Weldequip, £250 is my limit. A good one of these went for £120 a few weeks ago with all the gear and Two helmets. I don't need prompts now but it is either a 2nd hand Murex or a Portamig 211.

Well if I wasn't away on holiday tomorrow I would bid it right up so you would buy a Portamig!
Good luck. If you can get it for £120 I'll buy it off you.
weldequip

 

[weldequip]

Just noticed that it ends on a Saturday night. That is not a good time on eBay (trust me I'm a Powerseller!). Most people are either watching X Factor or out galavanting.
You could be in for a bargain.
weldequip

 

[cobminor]

I might give it a bash, his 'buy it now' which is not in the ad, is £400, he is typical of a lot of folks that think their stuff is worth loads. I have told him way too much so I will wait and see.