Stay with GYS Smartmig 162 or sell it and move to an old Murex Tradesmig 130?

[Jgguinness]

Hi all.

Fairly new to the forum and had some great advise from helpful people, so I thought I would post this.

Currently have a GYS Smartmig 162 that I bought second hand a month or so ago. Love it, its a nice little welder to use.

Had the offer of a Murex Tradesmig 130 and a small BOC Portapac and went halves on it with the old man. He used to teach metalwork in a secondary school for over 30 years. Got the welder new in I think 1985ish. Hasn't seen much use, lived in a store cupboard for the last 10 years plus probably. Picked it up today but haven't had a chance to use it yet, will give it a go tonight. Has spot and stitch functions. Spare tips etc. Father reckons it works a treat.

What would you do?

 

[Richard.]

Will 130 amps cover your work scope? That's the big Q. I believe the trades mig you refer to is a BOC one? The murex badge has been put on a number of machines over the years (all good ones mind) boc, stel, esab
IMO the murex gas equip cannot be beaten. The gys machine you refer to is probably not as high quality built as the old murex but been more modern and have a higher out put it would be the one I chose out of the two simply because 130 amps is pretty useless above 3mm.

 

[Jgguinness]

Hi Richard

Good point regarding the max amps/material thickness. Up till now its been automotive stuff, panels and Land Rover chassis sections. I will see how it goes tonight when playing in the garage and go from there I think.

 

[Richard.]

With body panels the max current is irrelevant it's the min current that's important. Any more than 30-40 amps min current and it's hard work.

 

[Jgguinness]

They both go down to 30amps. Had a go with the murex tonight. A few tweaks with settings and it's working fine. Strange as there is no noise of a fan, silent!

 

[Richard.]

Fan on demand perhaps?????

 

[Jim Davey]

Good luck getting spare parts for an old Murex, I'd stick with the newer kit myself.

 

[Richard.]

I would of stuck with the 162 also.

 

[Kent]

If the kit you have does all you want keep it. I have not much time for spot and stitch functions as they are simple enough to do without the controls. On the power front even if you don't need the higher power its goo to have it there bit like cars. Don't just become a collector spend the money on something else that does something else you need