Recomendations for a welder with specific requirements

[Davemini]

Hi all.... been browsing this forum for a while now but no one seems to have the same requirements as I do, or maybe I don't know what my REAL requirements are, so here goes.

Am looking for a MIG welder primarily but will have an occasional maybe just a once a year TIG requirement
I have access to a scratch TIG Clarke AT132 at work
I will be welding sheet and tube up to about 10 gauge but would like the availability to go a bit thicker
90% of the time Ill be welding steel but I can see both aluminium and stainless projects coming up in the very near future, mainly aluminium
portability is important

My shortlist came down to the following.

ESAB caddy 200
Kemppi MinarcMig Evo 200
ESAB Rebel

My questions..... with the inevitable eye on cost, should I forsake the TIG element and just go down the inverter MIG route..... and if so is my shortlist of 2 worth adding to. Or should I just bite the bullet now and go down the multi function route with the 12-1300 plus VAT budget..... Is the rebel any better, than the Compact MIGs listed, as a MIG welder?

The inevitable eye on costs suggests I can get the MIG only and save a few hundred and for the once a year TIG requirement either scratch or get it done elsewhere..... but I want a quality product.

What would you suggest or do In my situation

Thanks in advance DaveR

 

[Davemini]

I may be wrong on this, or I may have misunderstood the particular requirements, but...

I don't think you'll be doing any aluminium tig with those machines.

No.... I certainly wont be doing Alu TIG..... the only TIG will be steel.... Alu with either a spool gun on the MIG or Teflon liner etc etc.... DaveR

 

[Tom Orrow L]

You can get everything you want from an Oerlikon CitoMIG 200MP for less around a grand inc VAT..

 

[Mee]

Many machines offer what you want for less money, I would suggest going and trying a few out and seeing what you like. I like the R Tech myself.

 

[EAZEE]

Try this one bud
https://www.weldequip.com/jasic-mig.htm

Not a bad set and will do lift TIG and weld with MIG/MAG up to about 6-8mm thick.

 

[Jim Davey]

Is that 160 amp on MMA and 200 on mig?

 

[Bigjoe]

Or 1 of the thermalarc fabricator machines,or even the r-tech multi purpose machine

 

[Davemini]

I suppose ya pays your money and takes your choice....... but I was interested in the quality, reliability and ease of use.... or at the price points are they all much of a muchness.....

 

[EAZEE]

180 amp me thinks

 

[6 milli billi]

EWM Picomig 180 Puls will give you pulsed arc for better results on MIG Aluminium

 

[Swift&Bold]

Is it for 'Hobby', DIY use or to earn a living from?

 

[Davemini]

Hi all and thanks for the responses..... Its more than just hobby but Im not making a living out of it. :-) After trying a few at a local fab shop who im friendly with I went for the Kemppi Minarc 200 Ive also acquired a Cebora Sound 140 with a tig torch so I can do scratch TIG so first up is the weld cart for the garage, shoud start on that this weekend then .... on with the show.

Thanks for your input.

DaveR

 

[Swift&Bold]

Personally I think you could have got away with a cheaper machine.