Need portable inverter MIG welder

[Corn]

Dear All,

I’d need portable inverter Mig welder but I can’t decide what to buy. Also, good MMA functionality would be bonus. I almost pulled the trigger to Esab Rogue EMP 210 Pro, but started hesitating as I’ve read it seems to be quite poor in reliability. Some received dead on arrival units and some report their welders failed very soon etc. I see these Rogues are made in China so that probably explains the reliability issues.

Then I’ve been looking for the GYS Multipearl 210-2, which now seems to be even more expensive than previously mentioned Rogue. I’ve read it’s assembled in France from Chinese components. But I haven’t succeeded to find anything regarding its reliability. Maybe it’s so rare, that’s why?

Then there’s Fronius Transsteel 2200, but that’s almost a grand more expensive than the Esab and Gys. No doubt this would be the best, but it’s too expensive for me, I simply can't justify that price also availability is poor.

As Esab and Gys are Chinesium, should one consider then truly Chinese machine like Everlast Cyclone 200ES. Would it be as bad or good when it comes to reliability? At least it’s cheaper with similar specs.

Then there is in the price range the Kemppi MinarcMig 220 Auto. Only negative things are the welding gun is not Euro plug and you cannot set welding wire thickness for the auto settings (always 0.8mm). Seems to be reliable as I have found only one or two mentions of early failure.

Thoughts? Thank you in advance.

 

[angellonewolf]

this paid work ? is and will earn moneys then only you can say how much its going to be worth to you

buying for a wim that you will use now and again id take a chance on one of the cheap ones just check what size roll you can put in it

looked at r tech ? there china made but have a good warrenty etc

 

[tom2207]

Buy what you can get fixed locally , or price up what you are willing to throw away if you buy Chinese

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

Then there is in the price range the Kemppi MinarcMig 220 Auto.

A few of us have the kemppi...it's very very good.

All depends what you are doing...I use the kemppi with 0.8mm wire to weld 0.7mm steel...the auto setup is excellent.

There's no MMA...but I prefer a separate MMA anyway.

I don't mind the kemppi torch...I think someone on here swapped the torch using a euro adapter so it is doable if req in future.

 

[hotponyshoes]

The esab Rebel is made in India.

If you think that's any better than China?

 

[tom2207]

The esab Rebel is made in India.

If you think that's any better than China?

theres probably a video of some guy in safety sandals soldering them together with a poker while doing a squint at the same time , just as a moped goes past ,,, thats a secret few welders talk about ,,,,

 

[Dapph2]

I'm happy with my GYS Multipearl 2. It's now almost 10 yrs old , gets used in any mode about twice a month from paper thin metals to 6 mm runs /repairs rarely used for more than 20 min per session . It gets covered in an old 5thin sheet to keep grinding dust out even when it is in use or running down to switch off .

 

[Jack Pattenden]

India is better than China, in the sense that I would rather step in cat **** than dog ****.

 

[rich_c]

Do not take welder advice from me - I know very little beyond what I've read in this forum - but I also need want a small multi-process welder so I've been eyeing up the Bohler Uranos 2000 because it's only 12.8kg. For my (lack of) talent it's a lot of money to justify but it seems comparable to welders you're already considering and it has received positive comments in this forum.

 

[Drains]

I've had a Kemppi Miniarcmig for about 13 years and it's been a good machine. The wire diameter isn't a problem as under automatic control the machine largely adapts to suit. I was initially put off a bit by the lack of Eurotorch, but the supplied one is fine apart from the fact you can't disconnect it so it's another chunky cable to get in the way. I can't compare it with any other portable mig machines, but there's nothing wrong with it.
Oh, except sometimes the screen doesn't turn on, so I have to turn the machine off and on again, then it's fine.

 

[KemppiFrog]

I have an old Kemppi automat, very good. I did convert it to euro torch when I damaged the original, but it is a transformer based machine, not inverter, so bigger(and a lot heavier..) Only 150 amps though.

You might look at Stahlwerk's products. Yes, made in China, but designed and controlled in Germany. Plus, a 7 yr no quibble warranty. I have one of their plasmas, no complaint and will order an MMA inverter as my GYS 160p quit with a 'pop' the other day. My main welder is a PortaMig 285, but not exactly portable...since I can't lift it!
KF

 

[Corn]

That Stahlwerk looks interesting with very long warranty. However it seems the "mig 200 double pulse pro" is sold out. Downside is, 0.6mm wire is not supported which would be the best for thin car sheets. Also it's not listing the duty cycles. What comes to these truly Chinese machines, they at least before needed higher than 16A fuse to get the maximum power, which makes it very hard at least in Finland as 16A from Schuco is the maximum. Would need some special arrangement.

That Kemppi seems more and more the right choice. That plastic casing looks like a toy and not so robust than the others with sheet metal casing. Need to be extra gentle when moving it around.

 

[hotponyshoes]

That Stahlwerk looks interesting with very long warranty. However it seems the "mig 200 double pulse pro" is sold out. Downside is, 0.6mm wire is not supported which would be the best for thin car sheets. Also it's not listing the duty cycles. What comes to these truly Chinese machines, they at least before needed higher than 16A fuse to get the maximum power, which makes it very hard at least in Finland as 16A from Schuco is the maximum. Would need some special arrangement.

That Kemppi seems more and more the right choice. That plastic casing looks like a toy and not so robust than the others with sheet metal casing. Need to be extra gentle when moving it around.

If it's got pulse then you won't need 0.6mm wire. 0.8 or even 1.0 is fine on thin panels.

I don't think you can trust the duty cycle specs on any of the unbranded/budget brand machines so I wouldn't worry about that too much. Any 180a-200a machine should be ok for car bodywork repairs

 

[tom2207]

0.6 seems to be a big thing at the moment in car body repair , same as the lowest amp settings ,,,, most of the fact sheets are actually wish lists , unless its one of the big names , the import stuff just print whatever they like , and 0.8 wire will weld anything you will ever need on cars with a change in technique . just dont buy anything with only 4 power settings on two switches , that does make things very tricky .