Portamig 185 or 215 v Oxford 180 or 200 v Thermal Arc Fabricator 181i

[j9ffy]

Hi - I'm in a presumably common predicament of trying to choose a welder in the £600 zone. Use is for Land Rover restoration work. Space and weight not huge considerations, but I'm looking to run single phase off a domestic supply. I'm focusing on the machines listed in the title, and wondered if anyone has strong views/alternative suggestions? In other words, which of the machines above is my best bet, or should I be considering an alternative?

Any input very much appreciated!

Cheers, j.

 

[cracker666]

made by the same company.
Oxford use a capacitor technology
Portamig start at 15 amps.

Both are great machines.
There is another made at the same factory sold by welly welding i think.
But the Thermal Arc Fabricator 181i looks great, to me a tech head. inverter
Tig, Mig, Stick

 

[wombar]

Portamig and Oxford both come out the same factory, but I can vouch for Steves customer service (Portamig). I've yet to hear/read a bad word about his service.

Just for your reference, there's also the Britarc 201 (again out the same factory) at a similar price/spec which you can usually get in a couple of days. However, you only get a 1 year warranty (compared to 2 on the Potramig) and you may need to ask nicely to get a free regulator from Wellyweld. I've just bought a Britarc 241 as they're just down the road from me and having a physical shop where I can go for help was a big plus point for me. I also like to support local businesses where possible.

Then it really comes down to whether you want an inverter (lighter, but potentially less durable) or a transformer (will run forever, but HEAVY) based machine.

I'm not really qualified to advise on each machines performance, but I've just been through the choosing process myself. Have fun

 

[arthur]

I have a 181i it's awsome in all three modes! got it from rapidweld.

 

[zardoz]

I'd go for a Portamig 215 personally. It will weld up to 8mm mild steel, thicker if edges are beveled.

The Thermal Arc Fabricator 181i looks nice, but i know nothing about them. If i could buy from a trusted dealer and knew more about the build quality i may well go for it.

 

[j9ffy]

Many thanks for to all for the excellent input. Looks like there is good support for all the models under consideration. I only have experience using transformer based models which is perhaps making me unnecessarily wary of the inverter... but the specified range of the inverter is 10-180amps and 100% at 88amps which looks pretty appealing. Does anyone have further info ref build/weld quality of the inverter?

Once again - many thanks for the excellent feedback!

 

[arthur]

IMO the inverter give a nicer weld with much more control, the 181 has control for spatter or burn in if you like in mig and arc and gives nice welds like I say in all modes, I use it for all kinds of work from stainless exhausts in tig, to old iron railings in arc and tin or angle iron fab work in mig, inverters do defo need more consideration with dirt and grime as well as water more so than a transformer based welder but the size makes storing and placement easier anyhow, build of the 181 is very good controls feel high qual and wire feed and gun/torch is good qual too, I know nothing of the others but would give the 181 the big thumbs up, I've been welding with transformer mig for over 25 years and would never go back if I can help it, that said I use an old mig from time to time that shows a smoother weld IMO but is much more limited material wise and defo not portable like the 181. 2yr warantee is something too. I'll report back in 50 years and let you know if its been as reliable as my old mans oil filled arc....lol

 

[dickie bell]

I have the portamig 185 and it's a joy to use also it weighs the same as a chieftain tank so it has to be the best

 

[belch]

Having had to make a similar decision just recently my main concerns on the inverter based models was the standing idle time as i don't do a huge amount of welding, they're stuffed with electrolytic caps so they like to be used frequently to prevent the caps going stale / drying out, sitting in a cold or damp garage ain't ideal either.

The older i get the more i prefer things the way they used to be made, cars with minimal electronics, basic but well built washing machines, amplifiers with valves in & transformer based welders. Of course you can't get away from technology but treat it right & it should be ok.

Bought a portamig 215 , it does a great job & expect to be able to pass it on to the grandchildren in 20yrs time.

 

[zardoz]

Having had to make a similar decision just recently my main concerns on the inverter based models was the standing idle time as i don't do a huge amount of welding, they're stuffed with electrolytic caps so they like to be used frequently to prevent the caps going stale / drying out, sitting in a cold or damp garage ain't ideal either.

The older i get the more i prefer things the way they used to be made, cars with minimal electronics, basic but well built washing machines, amplifiers with valves in & transformer based welders. Of course you can't get away from technology but treat it right & it should be ok.

Bought a Portamig 215 , it does a great job & expect to be able to pass it on to the grandchildren in 20 yrs time.

Indeed. This is the main thing i have against all inverters. I'm a dummy when it comes to electrics, but with a diagram on the back of an envelope, I could probably fix my my reliable 5 yr old Portamig 185 transformer if it went wrong.

If the Thermal Arc 181i was a transformer I'd buy it in a trice. Can the original poster buy one from a local dealer ? As thats always a consideration for these sorts of purchases.

By the way. WHO do make them and where ?

 

[cracker666]

technicalarc make portamig, oxford and britarc.
Thermal Arc Fabricator 181i China.

backup is the main thing as we all know Ps3, Xbox360 infact over 90% of our gear is made in china.
Most decent electrical component manufactuers have plants in china. its a shame and Id buy a uk made Welder over china but I would need a Inverter for the size issue, No garage.

 

[arthur]

Don't think you will have any problem with backup on the 181, after all they make a few welders....

http://victortechnologies.com/Thermal Arc 3in1/index.php

Rapidweld keep customers happy in and out of the 2yr warantee period.

 

[j9ffy]

Quick update - many thanks for all the contributions and advice. In the end, I went for the Oxford 200. Over a month on, and I'm very happy with the choice, though I suspect I'd be saying the same about any of the candidates!
Portability was not a concern (else the Thermal Arc would have been the obvious choice), and I was happier to go with a machine that posed a less expensive repair proposition long term. Toss-up was between the Oxford and the Portamig - ultimately I chose the Oxford on a few minor points.
Used it to section repair Land Rover Series 2 pillars, bulkhead top rail and to fabricate and fit new footwells and patch a small chassis section. Been a joy to use thus far on thin and medium for seams and plugs. Many thanks, once again!

 

[arthur]

Nice going, still loving my 181i did the razor blades with the tig in my avatar and I'm new to tig running its lowest 10a, but like you I use it mainly for mig and just love it, tbh it's better than our full size mig in the workshop mind you she's getting on now.. At the end of the day if your happy and it does the job then all is good. Im with you on the less is more or keep it simple idea, will post back in 5 years time and let you know how my transistor/CPU/capacitor based inverter is going....lol

 

[j9ffy]

Hehe - I was in the boc shop shortly after purchase and they had the 181i (at a very nice price, interestingly) - first time I'd seen it in the flesh and I was very impressed... Had a slight pang! In an ideal world, and all that.... What I need now is an excuse to "need" a portable machine!

 

[arthur]

It's a good little welder, tig works well, mig is good has burn back control, inductance control, voltage, wire feed mech is good qual, etc its smooth and welds nice, arc is also very good. Only real gripe is dials could be a little better they are very sensitive and also post mig gas flow could do with a trimmer so you could adjust it.. minor things for a mid range portable mig IMO.

Id go for the next one up from the 181i as this does not support the spool gun and had I known I would defo of stumped up he extra for the 211i.

 

[oilcooled :)]

I'd go for a Portamig 215 personally. It will weld up to 8mm mild steel, thicker if edges are beveled.

I didn't think my 210 Mig would penetrate 8mm plate not a hope infact unless i welded the plates vertically?? I think a single phase machine say a 250 amp is weaker than a 3 phase 250 amp plant?