I ordered an Oxford Migmaker 180-1 from Technical Arc via Welding Supplies direct , Ive dealt with Tom and Jack to order the machine, which was quoted at around 2-3 weeks. Oooh the waiting,Its like looking forward to Christmas! .Tom is on the forum
Next day the BINZEL Mig Torch arrived along with the wire and a few more bits a, i opted for the genuine Binzel torch and wasnt disappointed, a quality feel to the item,a 4 metre MB15 pro evo which suited me fine.
I also ordered the machine with a 5 metre power lead , a 4 metre earth lead, and 3 weeks down the line decided to upgrade the build to inc the polarity conversion kit for gasless wire.I didnt order the spot timer as ive no need for it.
I also added a piece of old trim i had lurking on the front to stop the load door chipping off the paint.
Also i ordered a switch to disable the wire feed for when purging the gas out which always did my heeed in on other machines. I do like the way in which you can specify what you want!
The machine is a top loader with the reel laid on its side.
The Eagle eyed amongst you will notice 2 rolls of wire, one is 0.6 and one is 0.8. I modified the reel retaining nut with the bench grinder so that when two rolls are fitted the lid will close and ive both sizes at my disposal without searching for stuff,also in the brown box are the mig tips and spare shrouds.
This is the nut i machined on the grinder.
The top loader is super handy as you can store the torch inside the machine when not in use to avoid damage and damp.
It also has a quality wire feed with geared rollers and dual size 0.6 and 0.8 mm
Heres a shot of the modded arrangement for the dual wires
You can see that the feed wont be a problem from either reel.With the feed originating from the centre of both reels.
When it arrived the donut courier driver tried to deliver, and didnt persevere enough with the door bell and i ended up waiting another day for the delivery.
I also had a problem with gas escaping inside the machine, which to be fair was my fault.It wasnt an oxford fault or a binzel fault, just me being a Richard.
With Many phone calls to and fro from me, Tom and Jack ,and then Technical Arc we sorted it out. Ive had five star service from Welding Supplies Direct, i cannot praise them enough, totally totally five star service, whatever you order you will NOT be disappointed, at all. Now anything i need i go there first without a second thought.
I spoke to George at technical arc, trying to sort this gas escape, super helpful guy. its not very often you can speak to guy that built an appliance for you! Ive also a Jasic mma set , i doubt i could speak to fella that built that!
The welder does weld really nice and super creamy welds are quite easy. When it arrived i took forum advice and decided to remove the side and check for polystyrene debris.I wasnt dispappointed. there was lots.
Another pointer which i was disappointed with , was the use of ****ty crimps put on with a pair of ratchet crimps. im sure an extra twenty minutes with some proper Lucars soldered on with decent sheaths on would make the longevity of the machine a lot better.The general build inside is very tidy with only one PCB controlling the wire feed which is also syncronized with the power level switch, so when the voltage is cranked up, the wire speed increases too.
I like the old school feel to the machine, which should last an awful long time with really only basic components inside and no real computers or wizardry installed.
Heres a nice picture of the machine in the sunshine.Sorry about the van photobombing the picture.
It also has the capability to add a mig bottle on the rear with the usual chain type arrangement.
The instruction book if im honest..... is pants.Its a basic pamphlet with just generic stuff and tbh Oxford you could do better.2/10 sorry.Pull your socks up!!!
Also i note the rear axle looks like a bare steel tube. i think ill take that off,and paint or laquer it.Im not sure why it wasnt galvanised for an extra 50p
Ive done a few test welds.
I was just messing about on some scrap and with the power levels. Ive had to crank up the breaker on my 16 amp supply from firstly a B type, then to a C type and lastly a D type. Ive hit power level 5/6 so far, ive havnt had the opportunity yet to go flat out as the c breaker tripped out, and only just as i type gone to a D type 16 amp.
On the whole im pleased with the Binzel and the Oxford with only a poor manual,and crimps that let it down. The Sales and after sales from Welding Supplies Direct has been awesome.
I hope this helps out,and Oxford read it, and up their game !
Regards Pauly
Next day the BINZEL Mig Torch arrived along with the wire and a few more bits a, i opted for the genuine Binzel torch and wasnt disappointed, a quality feel to the item,a 4 metre MB15 pro evo which suited me fine.
I also ordered the machine with a 5 metre power lead , a 4 metre earth lead, and 3 weeks down the line decided to upgrade the build to inc the polarity conversion kit for gasless wire.I didnt order the spot timer as ive no need for it.
I also added a piece of old trim i had lurking on the front to stop the load door chipping off the paint.
Also i ordered a switch to disable the wire feed for when purging the gas out which always did my heeed in on other machines. I do like the way in which you can specify what you want!
The machine is a top loader with the reel laid on its side.
The Eagle eyed amongst you will notice 2 rolls of wire, one is 0.6 and one is 0.8. I modified the reel retaining nut with the bench grinder so that when two rolls are fitted the lid will close and ive both sizes at my disposal without searching for stuff,also in the brown box are the mig tips and spare shrouds.
This is the nut i machined on the grinder.
The top loader is super handy as you can store the torch inside the machine when not in use to avoid damage and damp.
It also has a quality wire feed with geared rollers and dual size 0.6 and 0.8 mm
Heres a shot of the modded arrangement for the dual wires
You can see that the feed wont be a problem from either reel.With the feed originating from the centre of both reels.
When it arrived the donut courier driver tried to deliver, and didnt persevere enough with the door bell and i ended up waiting another day for the delivery.
I also had a problem with gas escaping inside the machine, which to be fair was my fault.It wasnt an oxford fault or a binzel fault, just me being a Richard.
With Many phone calls to and fro from me, Tom and Jack ,and then Technical Arc we sorted it out. Ive had five star service from Welding Supplies Direct, i cannot praise them enough, totally totally five star service, whatever you order you will NOT be disappointed, at all. Now anything i need i go there first without a second thought.
I spoke to George at technical arc, trying to sort this gas escape, super helpful guy. its not very often you can speak to guy that built an appliance for you! Ive also a Jasic mma set , i doubt i could speak to fella that built that!
The welder does weld really nice and super creamy welds are quite easy. When it arrived i took forum advice and decided to remove the side and check for polystyrene debris.I wasnt dispappointed. there was lots.
Another pointer which i was disappointed with , was the use of ****ty crimps put on with a pair of ratchet crimps. im sure an extra twenty minutes with some proper Lucars soldered on with decent sheaths on would make the longevity of the machine a lot better.The general build inside is very tidy with only one PCB controlling the wire feed which is also syncronized with the power level switch, so when the voltage is cranked up, the wire speed increases too.
I like the old school feel to the machine, which should last an awful long time with really only basic components inside and no real computers or wizardry installed.
Heres a nice picture of the machine in the sunshine.Sorry about the van photobombing the picture.
It also has the capability to add a mig bottle on the rear with the usual chain type arrangement.
The instruction book if im honest..... is pants.Its a basic pamphlet with just generic stuff and tbh Oxford you could do better.2/10 sorry.Pull your socks up!!!
Also i note the rear axle looks like a bare steel tube. i think ill take that off,and paint or laquer it.Im not sure why it wasnt galvanised for an extra 50p
Ive done a few test welds.
I was just messing about on some scrap and with the power levels. Ive had to crank up the breaker on my 16 amp supply from firstly a B type, then to a C type and lastly a D type. Ive hit power level 5/6 so far, ive havnt had the opportunity yet to go flat out as the c breaker tripped out, and only just as i type gone to a D type 16 amp.
On the whole im pleased with the Binzel and the Oxford with only a poor manual,and crimps that let it down. The Sales and after sales from Welding Supplies Direct has been awesome.
I hope this helps out,and Oxford read it, and up their game !
Regards Pauly