3 Ducks
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- Thread starter 3 Ducks
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shenion
Tool Pack Rat
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Do you want a big beast that is not portable? Those 300A machines tend to be big, need a forklift to move and the separate wire feeder and gun means you have to lug heavy cables around. You are limited to the distance the cables can run. My 300 amp gun is probably 16" long, not something you want to use in tight places and it weighs several pounds (add the 0-gauge wire coming out and it is real heavy.)
You definitely can't take a 300A machine anywhere and expect to plug it in either.
I have used my little Clarke 130 on 5mm steel. It needed a little help with beveling to achieve a full weld. That was with .8mm wire; with 0.9 (0.035) it would probably do even better. Never hit the thermal cutout with the unit, but I don't run it continuously. It is portable on a cart and the gun is small and light.
I would think a 180 amp would handle 6mm, may need just a little beveling. It will handle 0.9mm wire max, but that is the wire for the range. I have blown holes in 6mm steel with 0.9mm wire at less than 200A.
The Clarke 180 or the Portamig sounds best from recommendations here. The Clarke is good and below your budget, but the duty cycle on full power may be an issue. The Portamig will run much better duty cycle, but I think it is a bit above your price. It is a different class of machine than a hobby MIG. I bet weldequip could set you up with either
I now have a big, multi-process beast here. Really, for MIG I use the small Clarke as it is so easy to use (the beast is not portable.) For heavy duty stuff, I will probably work at getting good with arc. You can get an inexpensive arc welder these days. I agree, an inverter arc unit would allow a decent current with something you can plug in.
Heck, your TIG unit probably can do arc, most do. If it is an inverter, then it may do well as a portable arc welder.
A smaller machine will probably handle most of what you need. If you have a job that requires serious amps, you could rent an arc welder/generator for a day if an on-site job requires it. Will cut your profits, but if you need a BIG portable machine most of the time, you will be looking at a trailer welder/generator and almost an order of magnitude over your budget
You definitely can't take a 300A machine anywhere and expect to plug it in either.
I have used my little Clarke 130 on 5mm steel. It needed a little help with beveling to achieve a full weld. That was with .8mm wire; with 0.9 (0.035) it would probably do even better. Never hit the thermal cutout with the unit, but I don't run it continuously. It is portable on a cart and the gun is small and light.
I would think a 180 amp would handle 6mm, may need just a little beveling. It will handle 0.9mm wire max, but that is the wire for the range. I have blown holes in 6mm steel with 0.9mm wire at less than 200A.
The Clarke 180 or the Portamig sounds best from recommendations here. The Clarke is good and below your budget, but the duty cycle on full power may be an issue. The Portamig will run much better duty cycle, but I think it is a bit above your price. It is a different class of machine than a hobby MIG. I bet weldequip could set you up with either
I now have a big, multi-process beast here. Really, for MIG I use the small Clarke as it is so easy to use (the beast is not portable.) For heavy duty stuff, I will probably work at getting good with arc. You can get an inexpensive arc welder these days. I agree, an inverter arc unit would allow a decent current with something you can plug in.
Heck, your TIG unit probably can do arc, most do. If it is an inverter, then it may do well as a portable arc welder.
A smaller machine will probably handle most of what you need. If you have a job that requires serious amps, you could rent an arc welder/generator for a day if an on-site job requires it. Will cut your profits, but if you need a BIG portable machine most of the time, you will be looking at a trailer welder/generator and almost an order of magnitude over your budget
Drains
Yeah, nah.
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3 Ducks, I just sent you the number for an ebay item that would do you - buy it now, reasonable price - , but tbh, there are quite a few good sub 200A migs going at the mo which you could get for less than £300 - Murex, BOC etc. Add an inverter MMA machine and you're away!
3 Ducks
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Thanks simon, i dropped you a private message.
Anyone know about this welder, the spec looks good
Its the bottom one.
http://www.cromwell.co.uk/static/pub...pages/1552.pdf.
Cheers Ray
Anyone know about this welder, the spec looks good
Its the bottom one.
http://www.cromwell.co.uk/static/pub...pages/1552.pdf.
Cheers Ray
Rusty
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- 600
I'm trying to open that link but can't... is it my browser or anybody else have the same problem?
weldequip
yep
3 Ducks
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http://www.cromwell.co.uk/static/publication/374/pages/1552.pdf
try that, its the bottom one.
im slightly better at welding that my computer skills
i quite fancy the butters Mig 211...
looks slightly better for my needs, has more power settings.
cheers ray
try that, its the bottom one.
im slightly better at welding that my computer skills
i quite fancy the butters Mig 211...
looks slightly better for my needs, has more power settings.
cheers ray
