New MIG 270A Single Phase

[oliwb]

So, looking for a new welder - having lots of little problems on my 30 year old Lincoln and it's probably time to bite the bullet and buy a new workhorse. I've been asked by a client to do some work that would require operating in spray transfer mode at 220A. Welding pipe so needs to be pretty heavy duty in terms of duty cycle etc. My current Lincoln performs pretty well with 0.6mm wire on body panels etc. Now I could keep the Lincoln and use it for thin stuff, or get a new all in one. I like the idea of a Synergic machine but have never really used one in anger. I need to be able to run 0.8, 1.0 and 1.2mm wire and take a 15 Kg roll. I also like the idea of having memory for the settings - like the Kempi. I would like / need digital readouts as sometimes the customers are present during procedure qualification and it's easier than trying to explain alternative measuring methods involving a multimeter! I'm limited to single phase only. I can get round that by limiting the run lengths and allowing the machine to cool.

It'll be used on mild steel and stainless only (got a TIG for Ali). I've been looking at the Oxford machines which look pretty nice and the Lincoln (Speedtec or Powertec). Is there anything out there I should definitely consider? In terms of budget....I'm hoping to limit it to ~£1,200. Obviously cheaper is better but equally I could afford to go a bit more up to around £1,800 if I could see the value / durability. Don't really want to spend more than that at the moment but it's not outwith the realms if there is a really stand out machine. Any good suggestions?

 

[weldequip]

Crikey, that site's practically pornographic, I had to look away.
I've done the smallest 170 model from that range (under another badge) for years & it's proved reliable.

 

[eSCHEn]

Crikey, that site's practically pornographic, I had to look away.

You should check out the eBay store 0_0

 

[weldequip]

Got to move with the times eh!

 

[arther dailey]

thats going back in time ! but who s complaining

 

[500e]

Ahh old school

 

[KemppiFrog]

Obviously welders are still just emerging from the primordial soup of evolution, so need a bit of stimulous in buying kit

 

[oliwb]

Cheers, had a look. Where do we stand on inverters now days? Most of the big guys still seem to be relying on old school transformers for this sort of size etc. Is there a reason for that - reliability, ease of use etc? The inverters seem to be a fair bit cheaper in general too.

 

[DTS]

Out of interest, what sort of pipe eg 3” sched 10, for what application? What sort of prep’ on the ends, J prep, V etc.. material? Welding on a positioner or in situ? Then there’s root pass and so on.

For the budget, stick weld it

 

[Hood]

Cheers, had a look. Where do we stand on inverters now days? Most of the big guys still seem to be relying on old school transformers for this sort of size etc. Is there a reason for that - reliability, ease of use etc? The inverters seem to be a fair bit cheaper in general too.

I have inverter Migs now, one an R-Tech which is fine but how long it will keep going I have no idea as it is a relatively cheap Chinese one but even they tend to last a lot longer than they used to. The other is an EWM Pulse Mig which I bought second hand and is about 10 years old but it is top line stuff so....

 

[addjunkie]

I have a 270 amp oxford, only used it full tilt once. Not used it as much as i thought since I bought it, as most of the recent welding I have done has either been Tig or outside with a stick.

But have no conplaints so far, nice quality machine, but not all singing and dancing electronics to help you

 

[Jim Davey]

So as well as short arms and deep pockets Mr Hood has a long memory

 

[Hood]

So as well as short arms and deep pockets Mr Hood has a long memory

Aye, so better watch what you say as I never forget

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Aye, so better watch what you say as I never forget

To quote Harry Hill........"FIGHT!!!

 

[oliwb]

So, possibly narrowed it down to 3:
- Oxford S-MIG (270 or 330)
- GYS Monogys 250-4CS
- Cros-Arc 291C

Never heard of Cros-Arc but it looks like good value. GYS might not quite be up to it, but might be....

To answer some of the other questions about the type of welding, it's API pipe. Sizes vary from 4" - 6-5/8". It's a bit complicated though as the actual welding isn't like butt welding lengths of pipe together it's a pipe on pipe fillet weld (pipe is rotated). Have got tested procedures to work to / qualify to (I actually qualified the procedures originally but using a 3-phase INE machine owned by a consultant, but now need to get geared up to do production stuff). No point in going to stick as the procedures would need to be redone.

 

[Hood]

Cros-arc seem to be a brand that use generic Chinese machines. I know the boatyard were looking at a Sif branded Tig and when I looked up the specs I found an Cros-arc that was identical except for colour and warranty period and was a good bit cheaper than the Sif.

 

[Tom Orrow L]

The MonoGYS doesn't have meters which might quash the possibility of that machine, which is a shame because its a nice machine to use.
Oxford I-MIG 330-1 W/ digital meters might be a good bet for you & well within your budget.. Only issue is the lead time on them which is around 10 working days.

 

[oliwb]

Yeah, I noticed though that Tec-Arc sell something called a Cali-MIG which it looks like could be retro fitted to the GYS for £175. I like the fact that there is a big "manual" button on the GYS so if I don't like the Synergic settings I could just switch it off. I can't work out whether that's possible with the Oxford. Also not clear with the Oxford is how you tell it the wire size has changed....

 

[Tom Orrow L]

They do indeed have a aftermarket meter.. That could be a solution for you.
The oxford is literally just a wire feed speed and voltage set up, you can't tell it the wire size has changed. Its literally all user controlled settings

 

[oliwb]

Ok so - probably going to make a purchase tomorrow. Still not sure about:

GYS MonoGYS 250-4CS
Oxford I-MIG 330-1
Oxford S-MIG 270-1

I was (& possibly still aim) totally sold on the GYS, but I'm concerned that only having 8-steps of voltage adjustment won't be enough in manual mode. Now maybe I'll love the synergic and never change it - but it's not something I've ever used before, so not sure.

What's people's thoughts?

Thanks,
Oli.