Portamig 236 or Tec Arc PROF MIG 251

[Gorlist]

Morning, I've been looking last few weeks at buying a mig - from reading reviews narrowed it originally down to a Portamig 236, however I've been unable to get hold of the shop here to have a quick chat.

So obviously looked at Oxfords but decided that a Tec Arc PROF MIG 251 looks good on specs, if not exceeds equivalent competition - and for about £540 isn't overly bad on the price

They go down to 25 amps, which from what I can read would be fine for repairing a Land Rover bulkhead and mild fabrication/farm work?

Specification 230V Single phase 251
Amps range 25-250
Duty cycle @ 60% 145A
Duty cycle @ 35% 190A
Input fuse (slow blow) 32A
Welding wire 0.6-1.0

Are there any other brands of similar price range, and importantly quality that anyone could suggest?

Portamig, Oxford and Tec Arc are all made in the same factory?

Best Regards, James

** Edit **
TBH reading more threads! answered most of my questions. Tec Arc.

 

[cumbriasteve]

Welcome to the forum James and well done for taking the time to do some research, I can't see anything wrong with your decision.

The shop here is not actually a forum shop, it is a private enterprise that sponsored the forum to some extent, Steve the owner has always been spot on with any of my dealings with him but others have commented the phone can go unanswered, for what reason I don't really know.

Whatever you buy please do a new owners review of the machine and then of course a nice project of your repairs and any fabrication work, it will be very appreciated.

 

[gordon stephenson]

Welcome James, I'm sure you will fit right in here,

 

[tlovatt]

Welcome,

There are a few more (most own brands) that are all made in the same factory as well, other than the oxfords extra capacitors it seems to be largely a paint finish difference between them. Do note that the accessories (torch, regulator etc) are not supplied with the machine and so the shop you are buying from will add those themselves (if you are looking at packages), it can be worth checking out what they will supply with the machine and how the prices compare when the same spec of accessories is included.

 

[xmetal]

Welcome,

There are a few more (most own brands) that are all made in the same factory as well, other than the oxfords extra capacitors it seems to be largely a paint finish difference between them.

The Portamig 2016 range such as the 236 do have the extra capacitors too. I don't know if the the standard Tec Arc machines have them though. I've recently bought a Portamig 236s and I'm currently learning the new machine.

Welcome to the forum, James.

 

[MoreWellie]

welcome to the forum and...

as well as capacitors the other difference between the oxford 240 and the portamig 235 was that the oxford is top loading whereas the portamig was side loading. Haven't looked at the 236

I find top loading is easier but you do have to clear off all the stuff that is on that convenient flat surface!

 

[Gorlist]

Thank you for the kind welcome. Understood regarding forums and the shop, assumed it was all one. In fact had this site bookmarked for years for the excellent welding tutorials. Great resource.

Yes, if I wanted to buy them with regulator and torch its +£40, so waiting to here back from the firm as to which are supplied - if not will order separately along with two 5kg wire spools 0.6mm and I was thinking 1mm but going to read up first.

Gas cylinder from http://www.*removed for legal reasons*.co.uk

Any opinions on the SuperMaxx cyclinders? 300 Bar pressure.

My local hobbygas is a good 33 miles North...

I will do a review when it arrives! and bulkhead is my first project. Have a lovely old oil arc welder but decided that even with the small rods I would blast holes to kingdom come through it.

Cheers,

 

[tlovatt]

You can also look at the BOC Volkzone offer - you will find details on the site, it may put you off paying the deposit on the rent free cylinders.

Personally I have given argon mixes the push and gone back to pure CO2 - its so cheap at £15 a refill and £10 deposit on the cylinders plus my welding is not good enough to notice any difference anyway!

 

[Gorlist]

In the process of hopefully moving to France so i'm not sure how they would take with that! Will check them out though. Thanks

Just ordered a Tec Arc 231 for delivery Wednesday. Recommended by the chap on the phone as it was an up rated heavy duty model, so 60% cycle at 170 amps which is better than the 251, only 145 - and he reckoned that the loss in total amps wouldn't make any particular difference in reality in comparison to the improved duty cycle (hope that was a right decision).

£530, free delivery and a Parweld SB 25 Premium Euro-Torch 3 meters for £55. Throwing in a few spare nozzles and extra rollers for 0.8mm to 1mm.

Just need to sort out the regulator next.

 

[arther dailey]

Thats interesting, didnt know you could get "uprated" versions, i use a tecarc 180 ,I find it great very smooth, especially like thin tin using it at lowest 20a setting with .6 wire is so easy in comparison to others I have tried.and still smooth flat out with .8 wire.
So whats input amps on the one you have bought? Arther

 

[tlovatt]

If you move to France you will need to find a local supplier anyway as you will probably have problems getting other peoples bottles filled anyway

 

[Gorlist]

The input amps I believe is 25 at full power?

Arrived today, so far very pleased. £530 for the heavy duty 231 (so 60% at 170 amps) with free personnel delivery from R. Sleep, Camelford 01840 212 334. Bought a Parweld torch, some 0.6mm 5kgs wire and a regulator. Kindly threw in spare roller for the larger wire size, a load of torch nozzles, gas shroud, pair of welding gloves. Helmet from Amazon, Antra AH6-260-0000 Solar Power Auto Darkening Welding Helmet, £36.95 and SGS Gas, £38 + VAT and £60 surcharge on the 10kg bottle 5% CO2/Argon.

First ever brief attempt at mig welding - no laughing! Setting are all over the shop but will sit down and read tonight! 1.2mm steel off cut so made sure the amps where very low.

My only comment is the helmet, though I triple checked the settings making sure it was maximum shade before starting left me feeling a'little uncomfortable compared to my old arc welding one.

Cheers,

 

[cumbriasteve]

You need some 3mm to practice on, it is much easier and allows you to get used to the machine, angles, wire feed settings etc.

Then move to thinner sheet.

 

[arther dailey]

probably wont apply to your machine,as mine is 180, but on mine .6 wire, both power settings at no 1, wire speed about 3.5, gas at about 10. thats for thin tin,I use .8 on everything else.
but as C.steve says easier to get some thicker steel ,.8 wire and have some fun.
Looks really tidy piece of kit,how many power settings does it have? nice to see you have all the safety kit.
Anyways Enjoy. and keep posting pics as there are lots of good guys on here who will steer you in the right direction technique wise. Arther

 

[arther dailey]

PDG is quite right, by thin I mean .8 tin, so good point try power 1 on the 1out of two settings, and either two or three on the other switch. then tinker with wire speed to suit.Arther, still easier to try on 3mm to start though!

 

[Gorlist]

Thanks, given up practising as I don't have terrible amount of time to get the bulkhead repaired so learning on the job!

 

[arther dailey]

Glad to hear its going well.

 

[Gorlist]

Finally finished my initial project - very pleased with the welder and would highly recommend considering its the same as a Portamig/Oxford - easy to use, seems good quality and my welding has appreciably been improving.

Thank you for the help, the site is an excellent resource.

next project!

Cheers, James

 

[arther dailey]

Looking good, nice to hear you are pleased with welder, keep the pics coming. Arther

 

[Robotstar5]

Nice job on the bulkhead