Spoilt for choice

[W.olly]

Ok, i am getting a new mig in the next week or so and looking to spend very max £600, i was and have been looking at a Thermal Arc fabricator 200 ( http://www.migtigarc.co.uk/MIG_Welder/Thermal_Arc_Fabricator_200/thermal_arc_fabricator_200.html ) at a cost of £560 all in ready to go ( ex gas ) with 3 year warranty for the last 5 weeks, but for some reason i have been looking at others.
To put my head at rest and my keyboard from being worn out can anyone sugggest another mig 200amp or above. I will be welding max 6mm on occasions..

thanks


wayne

 

[W.olly]

seen this one, a lot cheaper but why? is it poor quality?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/120843789...X:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_4080wt_1037

 

[chunkolini]

Might be something to do with this statement from the supplier
" will not guarantee that the pictures used on any of our listing will be the exact same product supplied. We sell our products with the full intension of ensuring, the brand or similar quality listed is supplied, and the product supplied meets the information as described within the listing. Please ensure that you have understood this before making your purchase."
I think I undestood that. Certainly would not buy anything with that condition attached.

 

[keith19]

"Ok, i am getting a new mig in the next week or so and looking to spend very max £600"
For another £40 you could own the Portamig 215? Or is portability important?

The SWP 9328T K looks good for the money, but remember it only goes down to a Welding Current of 45A.
Not so good on thinner metal, depends what you will be using it for.

 

[W.olly]

That did concern me a little Chunkolini, i have bought of the supplier a few times and been good, but as you say...

Keith, i will be doing all from car body work to 6mm, i have seen a lot say that 40-50 amp is ok for car body work , or not then ?

I am wireing in new cable to the workshop from the house 40amp consumer and using 6mm cable will this be enough for the portamig 15, the workshop consumer has 16amp at the min but can fit a 20amp easy enough.

I am thinking as the fabricator 200 is a local supplier that its bets bet incase there is a problem and the supplier to them is only 30 min drive away if need, i know this sounds negative from me but good to know incase it does go wrong then its not like weeks of waiting for repair etc.

Oh and portability is not to important, will only be going down the drive if need be.

 

[keith19]

Personally I would be wary of a 45A low on a 'semi-pro' type of welder. Many BOC/Murex and similar quality makes have models that only go down to around 35-40A, but because they are built for continuous workshop use, and made with higher-quality components, they can generally be used on thin bodywork, especially those with a stitch facility.

But the lower amperage becomes more important with a cheaper hobby type of machine, where corners have to be cut by using lower-quality components.

I have used cheap so-called 'pro' m/cs where the output went down to 35A, and which took quite a lot of getting used to on thin car panels (Minis,etc).
This meant anybody coming new to the m/c would blow holes without fail, and they either had to get used to using the m/c, sometimes with all sorts of thin metal dodges, or they got out of the shop. Not nice.

On the other hand I have also used something much better, like a Tradesmig 141, which only goes down to 35A, and found it a pleasure to use, even on tricky jobs.

So it really is quite important to know what sort of m/c you're buying; it's too late when you've bought it....

 

[weldequip]

Fabricator 200 has been discontinued, SWP's proven stuff listed above. Welding machines now available at Tesco - with ClubCard points - scream when you need any kind of sensible back-up!
Go for the Fabricator, local back-up etc. - answered your own doubts?!

 

[keith19]

Re the Portamig 215, a 20A supply would be preferable, especially if using near the top of its range, on 6-8mm steel.

 

[oilcooled :)]

the duty cycle on the fabricator seems poor for the price of the thing ?

 

[keith19]

"The duty cycle on the fabricator seems poor for the price of the thing ?"

Would agree, especially when compared with the Portamig.

Thermal Arc Fabricator 200: 30% Duty Cycle at 145A.
Portamig 215: 30% Duty Cycle at 170A.

Would depend on how much it will be used at the top end.
30% at 145A suggests about 10% or less (1 minute in ten) at 200A....