So many options - Advice appreciated ' MIG '.

[DoranMotorworksni]

Hello everyone,

I am a self employed mechanic based in N.Ireland - I constantly use my 90's Supermig 185 by Sealey. This mig has been trundling along for 8-9 years in my ownership. Although I would now like to upgrade and replace as I have a few projects that are dependent on high quality welding. The Supermig is also getting very old and welds/power are starting to slide.

What will I use the mig for?

Car body repair / Light Fabrication / General Repairs / Exhausts / Project Welding.

Thickest steel is 50x50x3mm box section but/seam welded onto another identical box section.

Thinnest would be 1-3mm Pannel steel - general plate.

What is my budget?

Unlimited - As I want a great machine!

Any other considerations?

Weight is not an issue - size is not an issue - Other than a quality machine that produces great welds. I want smooth arc - quality build. I am using full size BOC argon shield bottles. If the chassis is there on the mig - thats fine. Or if I have to use a trolley. That's fine too.

My garage power supply?

30amp - 3 pin industrial/commando style plugs , But single phase for now.

I cannot try out machines - as I am in a very rural area of N.Ireland - Local shops sell nothing but Draper and Sealey machines.

The machines I have looked at:

Portamig 183 - Maybe the next model up 200A+ (2016 models).
Parweld 171-181 - Maybe the next model up 200A+
R-Tech - There 180 amp inverter mig styled unit. I would use this on a trolley with my R-Tech plasma.
ESAB 171c - There newer mig machines - think they are priced £700+
SWP units - Weldequip models.
IFL I tech 170 - Weldequip model.
Looked at Oxford machines - Lincoln - Migtronic...

All machines have strong reviews... Cover everything I need?

But what has the edge? Would be great coming from someone that has dabbled with alot of the above machines?

Thankyou so much!

Tyrone.

 

[DoranMotorworksni]

PS: I am leaning towards ESAB at the moment - Portamig, new series 2nd - and the R-Tech inverter machine 3rd.

 

[Tom Orrow L]

Hi Tyrone, you've given an awful lot of brilliant information there & you've got some really good choices. Can I throw another into the mix? I've been having a lot of play time with a Miller MIG Matic 175 at the moment and its never skipped when I give it a good hour or two's beating during my breaks & lunch at work. Its a lovely transformer machine with infinite variable wire feed speed & with around 8 voltage steps. I sold one into a local car body repair shop the other day and got a phone call saying that they loved it, even with the low end of 30A.

It'll do everything you need it to and it'll do it without any problems, let me know if you want a video of one running as I'm planning to do a review of it pretty soon.

 

[Chris Stevens]

http://www.rapidwelding.com/dynamic/DisplayItem.aspx?c=029015521P&zl=3

 

[Tom Orrow L]

http://www.rapidwelding.com/dynamic/DisplayItem.aspx?c=029015521P&zl=3

Also used one of these the other day, class machine

 

[Paul G]

Stick to the established industrial names, but then I would say that as I'm a pro welder with many (too many) years experience.
I own a Miller Dynasty TIG and a Lincoln 210 MIG.
I use an ESAB at my mates and am impressed with that, and believe that you get what you pay for when you buy a "brand'.

Paul G

 

[F.J.]

I have just today bought myself a Kemppi Minarc mig 200 Evo. I was going to test a few. An esab caddy 200, Jasic 200, miller mpi 200 and a lincoln electric speedtec 200 but after a play with the kemppi i had already made my mind up..

It is synergic so all you need to do is change the material thickness on the display panel and everything changes for you. It weighs around 13kgs and although it has a fixed torch, the swan neck swivels round for trikier positions.

It has settings for steel, stainless steel, aluminium, and copper at the push of a button too.

They reatail between £900 and £1100 on ebay but i paid £1200 off my weld rep as the back up from him is more than worth the extra cost. It replaces my cebora synergic set as its a transform based mig and i wanted something more mobile to run off my lincoln ranger if i needed to.

Theres my two pence worth but there are more great sets out there

 

[Turbo]

Tyrone - I can sympathise with you regarding decent welding suppliers - they are thin on the ground over here.

But as others have said, it's wise buying local if something goes wrong! Shipping a Mig back to the mainland would not be cheap!

One good supplier is McIntyres.
http://www.emcintyre.com/
If I win the lottery & get a chance to kit out my dream workshop this is where I will go! They sell everything a welder would need and keenly priced. It's on your doorstep so it might be worth a call.

Another supplier is Craigmore.
http://www.craigmoreonline.co.uk/
They have a rep called Norman (if he's still there?) who is a welder by trade and he understands your needs. Don't go by what's on their website, he can source anything you want as he has an extensive contacts list.

 

[Kent]

If you are limited to suppliers it's a no brained for me esab
Kempi. Lorch? If not

 

[Richard.]

I think a little inverter will serve your needs
Fj's list just about covers most of them.
If budget really is unlimited you might want to also consider the EWM picopulse. Will set you back a small fortune mind.
Don't dismiss GYS either. It's not a cheap s##t brand any more and the grey industrial machines are supposed to be high end rated gear for serious use.

 

[DoranMotorworksni]

Thankyou all for your help! Lot's of great advice,

So in the end I purchased a ESAB Origo C201 Mig - for £988 , 3 year manufacturer warranty - but also a 3 year no quibble shop warranty.

I will post up some pictures of the machine and welds...

 

[Kent]

That's a very decent basic transformer. Well built and welds nice through its range

 

[Chris Stevens]

Thankyou all for your help! Lot's of great advice,

So in the end I purchased a ESAB Origo C201 Mig - for £988 , 3 year manufacturer warranty - but also a 3 year no quibble shop warranty.

I will post up some pictures of the machine and welds...

Good choice.............transformer will still be working fine when more modern machines have died.