New Portamig Multi 185

[weldequip]

Thought you good people might just be interested in a new 185 "Multi-Process" MIG from Portamig (I OK'd this with Malcolm first by the way... not blatent advertising, more a 'what's your thoughts?' kinda post ):-




Goes down to 15 Amps with 2 settings suitable for MIG Brazing.
Has a built in Battery Charger/Booster with 12 settings to give good control of a charging range from 1 to 35 Amps. Also Engine Starting capability up to 250 Amps.
It has a digital meter fitted so you can check the battery voltage before charging & monitor it during charging; this meter also doubles as welding Volts/Amps display.
Also has Reverse Polarity feature so can be used with gasless wire.

Price wise it's a fair bit more money than the standard 185 model but still very keen compared to a lot of competitors "Professional" automotive machines, and it's unique on the market.
So... what do you think? Are those features something you would find useful, or do you already have your cheap Halfrauds starter/charger set up & wouldn't really be that bothered about those extras??
weldequip

 

[shenion]

A bit dissapointed, Multi had me thinking MIG, TIG and arc.

I bet it would run circles on duty cycle on those cheap charger/starter boxes.

15A is nice for brazing. Something that I see becoming more popular. Would love to see more examples using it on things like castings.

I don't see the PortaMIG as any smart charger. Have not seen processor-controlled output in their line. Still kinda old-school (you know me, nothing wrong with that ) I see it as a coincidence, at 15A the voltage would be near perfect for batt charging, so it was added as a feature (would really rather see MIGs speciffy voltage rather than current as current is dependent on wire size.) It brings back a feature on some old arc sets, might entice some die-hard Arc users to try MIG.

Big question is does it have reverse-polarity protection on batt charging? Never underestomate idiots, if it is in the shop and the welder is not around, who knows who will try to jump start a car.

Gasless is good, I think dual-shield runs DCEN so that would let you play with the big-boy toys. More than just a gasless feature. Could probably extend the capabilities of the 185 match a 250A gas-only MIG. Dual-shield is on my list of things to try.

Digital meters are nice and give a reference you can take to another MIG (or transfer from.)

Now if you had a web site you could sell dozens of them

I bet it gets more response on ebay sales. Something to set you out from the crowd of no-name MIGs.

 

[weldequip]

Thank's for the feedback Shenion.
Multi just happens to be the name they've chosen & I too first thought multi-process rather than multi-function...hence the use of the old inverted commas. (Although at it's price level you wouldn't get a decent multi-process set other than the Chinese stuff ).
Battery charging is up to 35amps @ 100% duty so no doubt much better than the cheapo chargers + adjustable in 12 steps with accurate digital meter monitoring....just not so sure about the actual need for this facility from a welder? (Some of the old Oxford oil cooled arc sets did used to have it fitted though, as you say).
Maybe the 15amps bottom end, MIG Brazing capability & dual purpose gas/gas-less features alone would be of more interest? We'll see what others think.
Thanks.
weldequip

 

[rusty69bus]

sounds interesting 'more in one package' wise, don't think i would have connected welder+battery charger in the old thought process but start charger is a good idea.
would a pulse button not have been an easy option to add? (i know i normally just press the trigger)

maybe add an odld fashion transformer based plasma cutter function?

 

[malcolm]

Battery charging isn't the first thing I'd look for in a welder (unless it does 6V batteries - I need one of them ). Hope it didn't add to much to the cost.

15A low range sounds very useful. I've always been convinced my 181 could run to a lower setting as it's perfectly stable at 20 amps. Great for 0.8mm but quite often I'm welding 0.6mm to 0.7mm where a pressing has taken out thickness. Sounds ideal for Renault 4 and 2CV owners who don't want to stump up for a synergic welder.

Brazing and polarity swap are useful features too - would expect the welder is aimed at bodyshops so brazing is definately going to be a selling point - though they are features I'd personally use less often.

 

[Luke]

One wonders if you'd just said

"15A minimum current suitable for brazing, polarity reversal for gasless wire, digital readout of voltage/current"

And just left out the whole 12v jump start, you might get a more positive response?

That said, maybe it will specifically appeal to smaller garages who just happen to want to replace their mig welder and 12v booster at exactly the same time.....

 

[weldequip]

"15A minimum current suitable for brazing, polarity reversal for gasless wire, digital readout of voltage/current"

And just left out the whole 12v jump start, you might get a more positive response?

I'm thinking along the same lines but is the gas-less wire option really a consideration with you fellas? Remember, the smallest wire spool size that they will accept is 5Kg. & it's 50 odd quid a throw in gas-less + no good for automotive work.
weldequip

 

[Wozzaaah]

It's not difficult for anyone with a welder to cobble together an adapter for small reels though Steve, many people, myself included have made up something that works so gasless can still be a cheap option.
(I made mine up for alu wire btw, the thought of using gasless wire makes me shudder even if my beast could use it )

 

[English Steve]

For me the gasless option would not be a selling point on a machine of this size. On the odd occasion that I do wheel mine outside to do something that won't fit in the shed, I rig up a windbreak. As you rightly say, £50 for a roll of wire that will spend probably several years in the cupboard going rusty, is not a cost effective option for me.
I do like the mig-brazing facility though

 

[weldequip]

Keep em coming, keep em coming!
Digital Meter?
Bearing in mind cost, the 180 MIG market is cut to the bone
weldequip

 

[English Steve]

I suppose a digital meter could be useful, but on a machine with only 12 settings I wouldn't think it really necessary.
I'm more than happy with my 185 as it is.

My battery charger cost about £15 and I don't have a 'starter' (never needed one), although in a garage situation it could be useful. Roughly how much more than a standard 185 is it Steve?

 

[zardoz]

I personally might pay the extra dosh. But then as someone who would welcome the l5 amps minumum as I weld car bodywork, and brazing would be a boon for non structural. Also the charging extras would suit me as i have classic cars often needing charging or jump starts. I dunno if i would pay too much extra for that charger though, more like an additional free extra, that might tempt someone to buy it if deciding between two or more similar machines. However for anything over £500 these days it should already have a digital volt/amps display.

Dunno what to think over the gasless wire option, as i have never used it. It might tempt someone who prefers gasless, but in my experience of certain car forums latelty, gasless seems only to be used by new welders (who maybe think gas is not for neophytes) or morons who think a cylinder of Argon is practically a terrorist weapon. ie: not really the sort of person who will be spending over 600 on a Welding machine. More likely a £100 El cheapo with "safe" gasless wire. I see the Portamig customer as a more discerning buyer. If i do say so myself

Looking good, but only worth maybe an extra £100

ps: I know times are hard, but Portamig need to keep their current range right away from the hobby welder market.

 

[Bullyterrier]

Minimum 15A is good, and the ability to use flux cored is a plus, but I don't really see the point of putting a battery charger and starter in a welder. Just more to go wrong, it is getting like mobile phones and sat nav's where they have everything on them but each of the functions never work as good as the dedicated stand alone items. You wont be carrying the portamig around to jump your car very easily either.

 

[Bullyterrier]

Weldy, I wouldn't mind being a test pilot though!!!

 

[JML]

Just had a talk with Richard at Technical Arc, Steve. He hasn't tried that set on brazing yet. I said the next time I'm in the area I'll take some brazing wire in and we can have a play with it. It certainly sounds like a useful machine though. A lot of garages are asking for pulse to eliminate the spatter but they also expect to pay extra for it.
If Santa drops me a few cheques over Christmas I might get one just to carry around in the van, that's if Santa also gets me a new van!

 

[malcolm]

For marketing purposes I'm convinced the battery charger isn't helpful. Not quite sure why though. Suppose it's because when a second function is advertised we think maybe it's been included because the first function isn't good enough to stand by itself, or the machine is compromised for the need to add the second function. Rather than an addition it's seen as a reduction in spec.

Clearly that's not the case here - 15 amps minimum from a transformer based welder is amazing. Can believe it will still be super smooth at that too. I'd be keen to try it out to see how it handles really thin stuff, as that's always been something that's beyond the capabilities of most MIG welders, but something bodyshop people will surely crave as TIG is just a hassle when you are upsidedown.

Brazing capability from a transformer based welder is special too. Looks like a well targeted welder. Just don't mention the battery charger (I did once but I think I got away with it ).

Can't see the need for voltmeters myself, but the ability to swap polarity is handy for me. Mostly that's so I can write webpages on swapping polarity so I might be a special case.

 

[Luke]

ps: I know times are hard, but Portamig need to keep their current range right away from the hobby welder market.

Amen to that!!

 

[Archie]

Malcolm, I think the reason the charger could sound detrimental is that we expect multi-function things not to excel in any one of their functions when compared to something designed to perform that function alone.

 

[weldequip]

Well thank's for all the input fellas. So, from what I can gather... the set as it stands may well be useful for a small professional garage? but for the home user wanting a quality set the more important features would be:-
1/.15 amps minimum performance to give you an even better chance on thin sheet than the standard 20 amps
2/.Ability to MIG Braze should the need arise
3/.Reverse Polarity so you can have a play with flux-cored wire on thicker stuff (or, should things get really tough & you can't afford the gas anymore! ).
Not really bothered about the start/charge/boost facility or the digital meter???????
weldequip

 

[simon718]

Steve i like the idea of the battery starter, could come in very handy. Also agree with Malcolm though about the charger/starter thing giving the illusion it is a lower quality unit, which im sure its not. So go on then how much extra it cost