Recommendations please?

[blacksmithstris]

Hello All,

I'm fairly new here- I'm in the market for some new kit. I am an artist blacksmith and been renting a fully kitted workshop for a couple of years, and now setting up on my own, which means spending a whole lotta cash...
I only want to spend my money once- I want to buy quality (who doesn't!?) but of course I don't have an unlimited budget...

I am often doing light ornamental work, eg. anything from 1.5mm sheet and 6mm round, but, I still need to be able to weld 12mm bars, for gate/railing fabrications... and things like 20mm bar to 10mm plate for some of the larger sculptural pieces that I do. I also do the occasional welding of vehicles/body and chassis, and farm equipment. I will be limited to single phase in my new workshop, but will be looking into having a 32 Amp supply.

I was previously using a Cebora 180, which was on it's last legs - I did get by with as it was what I had, in conjuntion with a telwin inverter 141 of which I realized there were limitations. But at the end of the day, the welders weren't mine, and now I am going to buy them, I want them to be good!

What would you recommend as a MIG welder for the work that I do?

I've been looking at the ESAB machines and they look pretty good, and I have read you lads discussing the Portamig machines which I have been quoted for by Weldequip who I"ve been in PM discussions with and who I must say has been most gracious with advice/information he has provided me with so far.

Would like some of your views/feedback as to what these welders are like, and maybe someone out there is doing similar work to myself and can tell me what suits their requirements. Is the portamig for me?

I'm also needing a portable arc welder- and think I am pretty much settled on getting the Lorch H140 or H150 will be one or the other.

Look forward to your replies....
Colleen

 

[chunkolini]

Another artist, good to have you aboard, post some pictures of your work, it is always good to see what the opposition are up to.

What kind of budget are you talking for welders? I have a fairly cheap £450 or so Butters 180amp jobbie which for the price is a great piece of kit.

I know a couple of blacksmith mum's, I wonder what their kids will grow up like.

My bet on that one is interesting.

Chunko'.

 

[blacksmithstris]

Thanks, original budget set at £650ish. The less spent, the more I can spend on "other toys" but I do want to get something that will last and meet my needs...

My little girl is very girly - loves pink etc. but she also loves Bob the builder, and also loves flicking through the J&L, northern tool catalogues, just as much as she likes the ELC catalogue!!

You make some very nice work.

I have been advised that I would need more than 180amps.

www.colleendupon.co.uk go to metalwork gallery.

 

[dannyweld]

hi blacksmithstris, i would be looking at a 250 amp machine if i was you, even though you could get by with 200 amps. check out BOC's range of migs, there made in finland and will last you a long time, BOC might even put it on account for you if you ask nice.

 

[English Steve]

Hi Blacksmithstris. I am a fan of the Portamig range - I currently have the 185 but hope to upgrade to a 255 in the not too distant future. I find it easy to set up and use, and it puts down a very nice weld. I guess at your budget you would be looking at the 235? which will also be a very good machine.
For the money, I have not been able to find a better machine, or better service than that from Weldequip.
The Lorch inverters have a very good reputation on here, as do the Inverter Fusions (which I also use). I've never used a Lorch so can't comment on them, but for work around the farms the Inverter Fusion has been excellent - very robust and easy to use.
Just my opinion - good luck with your new workshop.

 

[Bigjoe]

Hi blacksmithtris,
Welcome to nuthouse....some very nice stuff on your site and you live in a nice part of the world ,ive never used one but from reading others opinions the Portamigs are about the best in the price range and of course Steve's excellent back up ...with regards to the Lorch im busy saving up for an H150 after taking my time to ponder the issue.

Nice to have you here

Joe

 

[irondarren]

250amps is certainly more the size you are looking at. 250amps will do 10mm plate fine but you will struggle like mad with 180amps. you need to increase you budget for a mig

 

[scarecrow]

Hi blacksmithtris,
Welcome to nuthouse....some very nice stuff on your site and you live in a nice part of the world ,ive never used one but from reading others opinions the Portamigs are about the best in the price range and of course Steve's excellent back up ...with regards to the Lorch im busy saving up for an H150 after taking my time to ponder the issue.

Nice to have you here

Joe

Welcome blacksmithtris,
don't know much about migs but the Lorch looks a very good machine just order mind today H180t should come in handy around the farm but I have a bigger ark for the heavier stuff but fed up of dragging it around and it never has a enough of power on a long lead. so the lorch should serve you well. I've had a look at your web site and you do amazing work

 

[blacksmithstris]

Thanks all of you for your kind words about my work. I feel like I've got bigger and better stuff yet to do, but it's finding the right clients in this economic climate I'm not so sure how well I'll do out here.

I've taken advice so far that means instead of originally looking for a 180 amp machine I will be looking for 200 minimum, but it seems on single phase electrics really 250 is around the max I could get. (correct me if I'm wrong)

I'm still waiting, (dear Weldequip) for the specs of the Portamigs- 235 may be a possibility, it's in my price range, you lads seem to rave about it...

Point taken I may need to increase my budget, I had a feeling about that- I have a tendency to underestimate things like budgets and how long something takes to make...

BigJoe, this part of the world is very nice- just a little bit wild and reminds me of home (Canada)

Looked briefly at the BOC machines, but I think they're out of my price range too,, I could go the way way of a reconditioned machine with warranty? Think I'd rather buy new tho.

As for the inverters, I was originally interested in the Inverter Fusions, but then was informed about the Lorch, with all it's lovely german engineering, the fact you can drop them (not that I would care to test that feature), and the extent of their warranty it seems the way to go.

 

[shirazman]

migs

We only use 3 phase machines.. migatronic and fronius. Look up migandtig website, i think thats what its called, and look at the Oxford 200. Im just about to get myself a single phase and thats what im going for, this site are the cheapest you will get them. No frills or bells just a straight forward mig. Another option would be Fronius 200 amp if you can get one for the price, even 2nd hand would be a good bet. They are one of the smoothest single phase migs ive ever used and ive used a lot. Also you mentioned Esab.. great make as are Murex welders and very reliable.
Good luck and let us know how you get on

 

[blacksmithstris]

shirazman, this is a very old thread...!! I have since moved from the wilds of scotland to the gentle dorset coast! I ended up going for a lorch h150 and got a second hand castolin and eutectic mig welder, castomag 180, the guy I bought it from had bought it new in 1990 and was only selling it as he was retiring, and apart from a new torch, it's still going strong!!