Oxford RT180W

[Shiro]

Someone very close to me is selling one of these arc welders. I have heard good things about the old Oxfords so was thinking of having a go at this one but I have a few questions for you chaps first.

The seller says it can be altered to run on either three phase or single phase supply, how much faffing about is this baring in mind I only have a normal domestic supply? (It should be noted that I know naff all about electricity)

What sort of price range would you expect for this if you were interested?

ta muchly

 

[GeorgeB]

run on either three phase or single phase supply, how much faffing about is this baring in mind I only have a normal domestic supply? (It should be noted that I know naff all about electricity). How much would you expect to pay for this if you were interested?

If you can change the 13A plug on a domestic appliance, then you'll be able to do this. It's very simple and you only need to do it once, assuming it's been run on 3 phase until now.

I'd pay up to about £100 if it works properly. There's a trader on eBay who sells them for about three times that, repainted.

 

[Shiro]

Thanks George, this one defiantly hasn't seen any new paint in a while, but they say its working so may be worth a go.

Another question just how heavy are they?

 

[weldequip]

Another question just how heavy are they?

Very, just about one man lift! They are not designed to be run from household electrics though, you will keep popping the 13amp fuse on anything much above a 2.0mm electrode
Fine machines all the same.
weldequip

 

[Shiro]

I guess I could just about live with that in the short term by making several passes to fill the thicker stuff. If it's cheap though it looks like being a good long term buy.

Curse my lack of appropriate workshop and supply.

Very, just about one man lift! They are not designed to be run from household electrics though, you will keep popping the 13amp fuse on anything much above a 2.0mm electrode
Fine machines all the same.
weldequip

 

[oilcooled :)]

put a bit of copper wire under the fuse when you push it in, i usta do that great job

 

[weldequip]

Often done by farmers/hicks but not good practice... the fuse is in place for a very good reason
weldequip

 

[oilcooled :)]

well id come under that category, we still have old round 3 pin plugs on our machines no fuses at alll

 

[weldequip]

we still have old round 3 pin plugs on our machines no fuses at all

Probably better quality than the modern equivalents! but, seriously, if Mr.HSE ever comes knocking on your door with a problem related to those plugs you'd be for the high jump. Personally, I'd do the same as you probably would & just offer the 12 bore to anything approacing in a suit! but bypassing fuses is really not something people should do
weldequip

 

[oilcooled :)]

ya that kinda happened before alryt mr health and safety was leaning over half a barrel vominiting, when we were welding 4mm constant on his surprise visit, he was speechless

 

[GeorgeB]

Another question just how heavy are they?

As Weldequip says, they are very heavy. I don't know anyone who could lift an RT180 up to the loading bay height of a vehicle on their own. I'd say it would take two men and they'd need to be quite strong. If you can decant the oil out - if that model has a drainage plug - this step will reduce the weight a lot but it will still weigh too much for most blokes to lift it to loading bay height on their own.

 

[zardoz]

I dont know what its like in Ireland, but in the UK the ring for the cooker or the electric shower is often pretty high in amps, maybe 30 or 50+ for the shower. some people take a sprur (is that the right phrase?) off one of those.

 

[Jaeger_S2k]

When I went to pick up the Oxford RT250 he loaded it by (home made) pallet truck, I watched on (wondering how the hell am I going to get that out when I get home)

Arrived home and with the use of a rope, passed through securing loops at front of van, and a long sturdy plank (which flexed incredibly) I walked it down the plank and into the garage.

I can lift one end up to turn it but no way could I lift the whole thing without help.

You should NOT spur a dedicated radial supply (16a or above) to a shower or cooker/oven. With anything of that capacity (I've added that as many extractors etc, are powered via fused spurs at cooker end points, but they are generally 5amp or less)

Do you have a spare way (fuse/breaker) in your CU (consumer unit)?

You could then run a dedicated supply to your shed/garage (say 10mm SWA type XPLE (steel wire armour, XPLE gives greater amperage). That'd be enough for lights, compressor, Oxford and a few other things.

 

[Shiro]

So, Let me try and get my Winnie the Pooh like intellect round this...
I think what you are all saying is that with the amps turned down to modest and with a 3pin domestic plug fitted she will run small sticks ok but will blow if I try to crank up the amps and run thicker sticks. But, if I get the right workshop supply, she will run all day every day no probs.

Humm... inverters look good don't they.....

 

[Jaeger_S2k]

Yes

 

[Shiro]

Oh well, it went for £122.00 in the end and I missed it, so back to the drawing board.

 

[oilcooled :)]

would you be able to travel for one? wat bout this one off ebay looks painted but clean

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Oxford-RT250-...8|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318|301:1|293:1|294:50