new welder wanted....

[Richard.]

Agreed, but it is possible to accomplish a half decent run on DC with helium.
Never used professionally, of course :]

Yeah it is that's true.
You can also weld it in DCEP with low current and huge electrode.
Sound welds are achievable but imho it's a get you out the s### method.

 

[matt1978]

Hi Rob,

I would be able to offer something that meets some of your needs but not 100% unfortunately.

An S3 Mobile. 320 amps, so would have the amperage capacity to do the thicknesses your talking about, weighing around 25kg so also fairly portable. Has a whole host of "Speed" processes enabled for faster welding, better penetration, rooting possibilities, Mig like Tig possibilities for Alu and CrNi's. Generator compatible, MMA and DC lift arc Tig if required.....BUT....it's only 400v 3-ph. Also looking at the upper end of your thickness ranges your going to struggle with only a gas cooled torch. The system is modular so can add a cooler at any time in the future but by doing so doubles the weight and takes away the portability.

Other manufacturers offer smaller compact offerings as well I am sure Jim can fill you in on what EWM has in this class. Where abouts are you based?

 

[Chris Stevens]

The OP has £2-3k to spend, so he is going to be looking at used gear, and I would guess the very latest synergic inverter based machines are probably not an option?

 

[Tom Orrow L]

2-3K will get a very nice new synergic inverter machine, i'd say everything thats been mentioned is around that mark anyway.

 

[Chris Stevens]

Had no idea a new Lorch or EWM synergic was that sort of money............thought they would have been a lot more costly.

 

[Tom Orrow L]

Had no idea a new Lorch or EWM synergic was that sort of money............thought they would have been a lot more costly.

Don't quote me on it, I've seen prices on certain machines from alike brands around that cost. It depends entirely on the model, bits and pieces added etc..
I'm not giving prices on machines that I don't deal with but I'd hazard a guess that they're around the 3K mark (ex tax anyway)

 

[Kent]

Knowing what the prices are for a complete hull.........

 

[rob g]

Sorry for late reply, I'm on nights... Been in bed all day..
Upper end of thickness scale is not a problem, we don't use much of it, so won't be welding it all day.
5 to 6mm yes. Need to be able to weld 10mm, but not day in day out. By the time we've moved about, stitched a bit here, and there, we could get away with a lowish duty cycle.
I'm just between the delightful towns of Doncaster and Scunthorpe.....

 

[rob g]

I know the cost of helium... Cheaper to buy a new mig set if doing Ali...

 

[Tom Orrow L]

Helium will cost you an arm and a leg, we keep one MASSIVE cylinder of it in stock at work and we have one customer who uses it regularly for welding very thick copper.
If you're wanting to weld ali either consider an AC TIG set or do ali MIG with a spool gun or a very short torch with all the other gubbins needed

 

[rob g]

I'm guessing the air cooled torches have got lighter and smaller over the years..
I remember in my apprentice days welding ten mm all day with an air cooled torch.

 

[rob g]

Helium will cost you an arm and a leg, we keep one MASSIVE cylinder of it in stock at work and we have one customer who uses it regularly for welding very thick copper

I breathe helium for a living.
We carry about 65,000 cubic meters of the stuff

 

[HughF]

Sat diver?

 

[rob g]

Sat diver?

Yes

 

[rob g]

Kemppi fit weld evo 300 is dual voltage, most definitely portable....
Well within budget...
Will download specs and have a look...
See how many boxes it ticks...

 

[Richard.]

I'm guessing the air cooled torches have got lighter and smaller over the years..
I remember in my apprentice days welding ten mm all day with an air cooled torch.

V Prepped perhaps?
Welding 10mm Square edged properly with a tig requires the best part of 300 amps . I don't know of many air cooled torches that would put up with that all day.
Could be wrong mind but ive never heard of them coping with any more than 200/220 tops.

 

[Tom Orrow L]

I think Parweld's new XP8 TIG torch will be around 300 air cooled. Although they aren't revealing it to us until next week Wednesday.. I'm betting its going to be the size of a small war hammer :P

 

[6 milli billi]

Hi Rob
Did you see the message i sent you in "conversations" option? May be a help.

Regards
8 Milli

 

[Jim Davey]

Had no idea a new Lorch or EWM synergic was that sort of money............thought they would have been a lot more costly.

They aren't massively dear if you delete the separate wire feed, water cooler and interconnection hose package. A Lorch or EWM compact can be quite a bit cheaper than most people expect.