Hi,
I've decided to get a stick welder and my current feeling is to go cheap. If I find I'm using it a lot I don't mind upgrading in a few years. My only stick experience was with a borrowed 140A transformer unit, but I was able to make that work well enough to make a front rack for the car so I have some idea of the difficulty. So I'm looking at two options at the moment. Uptime MIG 160, which also does stick. Or Static Arc 200A inverter (MMA only).
In favour of the Uptime, it also does MIG which would mean I can sell my much-hated SIP Migmate. Disadvantages, nearly twice the price, lack of information or opinion on the MMA performance. I have to assume complete lack of backup as well, since the seller doesn't even answer simple questions. It's not even clear if the MMA electrode holder is included.
In favour of the Static Arc - cheaper, more detailed specification (if you believe them), and if it goes pop I still have my SIP. Backup I would say is unknown, however the seller quickly answered some technical questions and I am reasonably happy with his answers. I suspect it may be rated in "Chinese amps" as he recommends 160A or more for 3.2 rod. And I don't like their suggestion of fitting a bigger fuse into a 13A plug, I would rather have been told it will run up to xxx amps on a 13A connection. This last one may be a bit academic as I plan to fit a dedicated 16A circuit. But it would be nice to be able to use it elsewhere as well. They do a 140A model as well
Any thoughts? At the moment I'm favouring the Static Arc but I've deliberately dithered so that I have time to sleep on it over the bank holiday. Uptime was closed until 4th Jan in any case.
Thanks, Tony S
I've decided to get a stick welder and my current feeling is to go cheap. If I find I'm using it a lot I don't mind upgrading in a few years. My only stick experience was with a borrowed 140A transformer unit, but I was able to make that work well enough to make a front rack for the car so I have some idea of the difficulty. So I'm looking at two options at the moment. Uptime MIG 160, which also does stick. Or Static Arc 200A inverter (MMA only).
MMA 200A INVERTER DC WELDER ARC STICK PORTABLE WELDING MACHINE KIT + ELECTRODES
STATIC ARC WELDING SUPPLIES, MIG TIG MMA ARC WELDERS FILLER RODS ELECTRODES WIRE TUNGSTEN CONSUMABLES MB15 MASK HELMET GLOVES CLAMPS TORCH 14AK PLASMA CUTTER PT31 GAS REGULATOR GASLESS FLUX WIRE FEED ROLLER CABLE ANGLE GRINDER BENCH SANDER JIGSAW DRILL POLISHER STEEL FLAT ROUND SQUARE ANGLE BARS...
staticarcwelding.co.uk
Buy Uptime MIG160 MIG WELDER MACHINE 160 AMP (IGBT) with Industrial Plug, Torch and Accessories
Uptime MIG160 MIG WELDER MACHINE 160 AMP (IGBT) with Industrial Plug, Torch and Accessories
www.uptimewelding.co.uk
In favour of the Uptime, it also does MIG which would mean I can sell my much-hated SIP Migmate. Disadvantages, nearly twice the price, lack of information or opinion on the MMA performance. I have to assume complete lack of backup as well, since the seller doesn't even answer simple questions. It's not even clear if the MMA electrode holder is included.
In favour of the Static Arc - cheaper, more detailed specification (if you believe them), and if it goes pop I still have my SIP. Backup I would say is unknown, however the seller quickly answered some technical questions and I am reasonably happy with his answers. I suspect it may be rated in "Chinese amps" as he recommends 160A or more for 3.2 rod. And I don't like their suggestion of fitting a bigger fuse into a 13A plug, I would rather have been told it will run up to xxx amps on a 13A connection. This last one may be a bit academic as I plan to fit a dedicated 16A circuit. But it would be nice to be able to use it elsewhere as well. They do a 140A model as well
Any thoughts? At the moment I'm favouring the Static Arc but I've deliberately dithered so that I have time to sleep on it over the bank holiday. Uptime was closed until 4th Jan in any case.
Thanks, Tony S