Oxford MIG. Reverse polarity. Arc welding. What's the possibility?

[UncleSteve]

Okay I may be way off on this, but polite help would be appreciated please

I've been looking at getting a replacement Oxford MIG (Migmaker 240-1) as my existing Oxford is a bit small. One of the extra options available on the new MIG is 'Reverse Polarity' (RP) which I understand is for using gas-less wire. Having tried someone else's MIG (Think it was a Sealey or Clarke) the finished weld was horrible, so don't want to go down that route, however I may be wrong on this, I've seen RP on other welders that also have the capability of arc welding. So is RP required to use the MIG as an arc welder (suitably adapted for suitable arc leads), or am I on a total non starter of trying to use the MIG for arc welding?

Still on the RP theme, I think this is also required for TIG welding, so with the right torch, is TIG possible with a MIG with or without RP?

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Tom Orrow L]

Morning Steve, The Reverse Polarity is only for running flux cored wire. The Oxford MIG maker range can't actually be used for any process other than MIG so Arc or TIG welding wouldn't be possible with it.
The reverse polarity feature isn't necessary, its just a little add on incase anyone wants to run FCAW.

 

[Jim Davey]

Totally different output characteristics between MIG and MMA machines, unless they are designed from the off to do both processes they won't work well as alternative power sources.

 

[UncleSteve]

Thanks for the replies.

I'm not adverse to making modifications to equipment, hence my questions. So ARC is definitely out of the question. What about TIG as an option with suitably modified contacts/ports on the MIG?

Thanks

 

[Tom Orrow L]

Thanks for the replies.

I'm not adverse to making modifications to equipment, hence my questions. So ARC is definitely out of the question. What about TIG as an option with suitably modified contacts/ports on the MIG?

Thanks

MIG is constant voltage output and TIG uses constant current. It'd be a pretty major modification to be able to run TIG on the Oxford

You can get multi process welders that'll do all three, I've actually just bought myself a Tec Arc Multi 200i which has HF TIG, MIG & Arc welding on it an that's made by the same people as the Oxford range.

 

[Jim Davey]

Similar output type to MMA I'm afraid so still no good.

 

[Jim Davey]

You'll need to buy a true multiprocess machine or a separate cheap TIG (which will of course do MMA)

 

[Kent]

You'll need to buy a true multiprocess machine or a separate cheap TIG (which will of course do MMA)

The latter is normally the better choice although I see a local dealer has the jasic mp 3 process at a tad over £ 500 at present on sale

 

[UncleSteve]

Thanks for all the replies, all very helpful. I just have to admit I was trying to be too clever. Just need to sort out a sensible price on the Migmaker 240-1.

Just to put you in the picture, I already have a 180A air cooled arc welder, so was hoping to off load it. But will need to keep it as I have loads of specialist rods on the shelf. The TIG idea was just icing on a very nice cake.

 

[rikrobson]

The new Generation of Inverter Migs are able to do Arc welding and usually have the ability to change polarity. My R-tech 250-pro certainly does.