New Thermadyne 181i tester

[W.olly]

At long last i have got a new rig, i was after the Thermadyne Thermal arc 200, but they sold out, not to matter i got a 181i 3in1 instead as it was the same duty cycle, few amps less but still i have mig/tig and arc all in one, i was wary at first but after much, infact weeks of reading up, i decided its the one for me.

I reckon i got a bargain as i got the Tig torch aswell,

Some samples of the first test pieces, i can tell you i never got the bacon to fry with the Clark 151te like i can with this, sssooooooo smooth on all settings.

0.8 sheet

!.6 section

a few runs on 6mm box, just to see how it went

Sorry no the best pics but i am so happy with it i had to show it.
They are all different as there is a few more setting than with the Clark it take s a bit of getting used to.

I havnt used the tig yet as i have no rods, the arc either, looking forward to the Tig as i havnt realy done much, will be good when i need to make my snorkle for my 4x4.

Worth every penny

 

[Dev]

I was considering buying one of those but the shop I went to wasn't prepared to budge an inch on the price so I decided against it. Pity though, they do seem really good and I'd have liked a go at TIG as well.

 

[W.olly]

I paid £600 cash for the lot, just needed gas, what are you looking at paying mate?

 

[Dev]

They wanted £675 (inc VAT). £600, or a little less of course, is what I wanted to pay. In the end I paid £525 for a 220a SWP and they threw in a 5kg spool of wire and the 16amp wall socket. Not expensive for them but nice for me.

 

[W.olly]

Thats not a bad price Dev, was lookig at them aswell, but i wanted have a go at TIG

 

[Dev]

Yeah, it's a shame. I would have liked the TIG option too but I wasn't going to pay over the odds for it.

I should say I have nothing in mind that would require a TIG but it'd be nice to have the choice

 

[Mr shiney]

I have one if these and it's been amazing. Got the TIG fom eBay for £90.

I have welded steel, stainless and aluminium with. Makes me look semi competent!

 

[arthur]

Had mine a year, good portable welder... out of interest how you doing ally with the 181i as it does not run a spool gun like the 200 and is DC only?

Btw the tig is VERY good IMO, did the razor blades(Stanley's) in my avatar with it at 10a and I'm new/crap on tig. Done a few stainless jobs with it and love it.

Also the arc is the nuts and the first reason I got it for some railings in a field, no probs on 120m 240v extension lead at half power (70a ish).

The mig is ACE!