Some advice required for a new MIG, AC/DC TIG and Bandsaw

[Jack]

Hello, just found your forums and thought this would be a good place to ask for some advice on some new gear I will be buying in the coming month.

I'm looking for a MIG about 280a upwards, currently using a small butters amt 180, since i lost all my old kit when i switched job. It is serving me well, but the down time is too frequent and I need the extra power. Was using a cemont 235 previously which i found very good. budget up around £800 - £1000, new or used, ive also got a 3phase supply. Any suggestions would be great.

Also required is a AC/DC TIG, around 160a hf start. nothing too big, just for light stainless fab. Used miller tigs before (can't remember the model) which was an extremely easy and reliable welder to use. Budget around the same. Suggestions appriciated

And last i need a bandsaw, used to use a startrite 12" cut which we picked up for about 500 quid. looking for some second hand gear here really. Seen some SIP 12" for a reasonable price, not sure if they are any good though?

Your feed back would be appriciated.

Many thanks

Jack

 

[Wozzaaah]

First things first Jack, welcome to the forum . You've got a decent shopping list and a decent chunk of cash to spend on it by the sound of things. I bought a single phase Portamig 361 which replaced my underpowered Butters 211 and I'm really impressed with it, the duty cycle is 100%@270A and the top end is 360A so plenty of grunt. It should come in at the top end of your budget. Regarding tigs, I can't help you on that one but for bandsaws, the place I buy my steel from use SIP ones all day every day and afaik have no issues with them. I have a Clarke CBS7 which is a nice machine.

 

[steve53]

Hi,
Sounds like your Miller AC/DC was a Syncrowave. There are some second hand ones on the market. If you need to talk re Miller kit give WIRS in wolverhampton a ring they will probably have some S/H machines or give you some helpful advice. Good hunting.

 

[Jack]

Thanks Wozzaah,

Yeah i've looked at the Portamigs before, they look like nice bits of kit, especially as they are british assembled, and they do TIGs as well. I read your thread about the one you bought, looks like the kind of thing i'm after. Been on the migtigarc.com site and i assume there MTA welders are the same but rebranded?

Many thanks

Hi steve,

do you know if WIRS have a website or an email.

Many thanks

 

[Wozzaaah]

Yes Jack, MTA machines are the same as Portamigs. My 361 is a cracking machine, it's ideal for me. I think MTA branded ones may be ever so slightly cheaper but the support from Weldequip more than makes up for it in my opinion. The Portamig 171 tigs are very no-frills machines, the only controls being current and gas post-flow, they also have a foot-pedal connector. The basic one will come in again at about the top end of your budget. I believe you can have extras fitted to them but I've no idea of cost.
Woz

 

[steve53]

Yes Jack,

Try www.wirs.co.uk they have some good engineers who will give you good advice. Just in case you're wondering, no I don't work for them!!