Opinion time! What multi process machine to buy??

[Bigjoe]

Morning all,
Happy new year to everyone! ....well i'm in a slight quandry that i could do with a few opinions on,
I've decided to consolidate my ageing Mig and Lincoln Inverter into a multi process machine due to me carrying them around from time to time for both Mig and MMA and i would also like to get my eye back in on DC Tig........The two machines i think i have narrowed it down to is the Therma lArc Fabricator 181i (I have a TA dealer 5 mins walk from my house) and the IFL I-Mig 170,still trying to find a localish dealer so i can go and have a physical look at it etc.....

Any opinions/user reviews would be very much appreciated.....im in no hurry so plenty of pondering time yet.

Thank you in anticipation.

Joe

 

[daleyd]

There's a few posts on the forum about the ifl machine, every one seems to like it.

Haven't seen much about the thermal arc. The ifl seems to have a marginally better duty cycle at the top end, if that's significant to you?

Rtech also do a few multi process machines, I have the mts 210 (which they don't seem to sell any more, only the bigger 250.) and I can recommend this. These seem a bit more expensive but they come with a higher amp rating and have a few more tig features, ie downslope control, the ability to take a foot pedal etc.

 

[Richard.]

The DC Tig will be scratch/lift start just so you know. Quite a few of these about nowadays
What's your budget.
Happy 2015. Rich.

 

[Bigjoe]

Might help if I added a few extra points, it was early in my defence, budget is £600ish mark,my lincon inverter is a lift tig unit so that's not a problem..... Duty cycle isn't a massive issue as I do quite a lot of car work eg 2mm max as well as occasional gates etc,have also thought about the r-tech range so might give them a ring or an email..... Hmm decisions decisions

 

[Mr shiney]

I have been using the thermal arc 181i for over two years now and can't fault it. Produces excellent welds that are consistent. It's easy to set up and has falutless wire feed. I have welded stainless, aluminium and mild with it. I recently changed the torch to a Binzel 250 ergo after the Tweeko microswitch failed. I have fixed the Tweeko and rigged it with Teflon for aluminium MIG when needed.

The Tweeko is also a bit harder to get tips etc for as they tend to need to ordered whereas the Binzel has parts eveywhere.

As a stick welder it's get all the usual set up options and anti stick although it very rare for me to stick weld anything.

The TIG function is of course lift only DC. It works fine but I trashed a fair few tungstens learning to start an arc!!

I recently bought the AC DC TIG as well after using one for the last two years at college. The HF start is a godsend!!

I have become a bit of a fan of them over the last couple of years!! Quality build and value for money.

 

[Bigjoe]

Thanks Mr Shiny,
Im going to call into the local dealer to have a play when i have a chance and ill go from there i think,if my clarke 150 blows up in the mean time then that may sway the decision.....