What's bad about it.

[addjunkie]

Thermal arc arcmaster acdc200. Machine is way better than I will ever be. Main switch on the back, but thats not really an issue for me, as the power nob has a push for off function too, besides its off when unplugged. Cable is a bit short too.

The flimsy perspex button protector cheapens a nice facia. The plug for the torch switch or pedal is plastcy and fiddly as hell to change devices.

Instruction book is very good.

 

[arthur]

My TA202 changes the Amps (always goes down a few) when you switch off and on again with the SSC pedal attached :S

 

[Maker]

Mains cables come in at the back, pretty much the first thing it needs to go to is the switch. The most efficient use of cable and space is to put the switch there. That's why most do.

I had mine apart today, the mains cable comes in at the back and is soldered directly onto the main board, the switch is connected to the control panel/display at the front of the machine, which presumably tells a relay somewhere else to turn on or off.

 

[Bill Edwards]

I had mine apart today, the mains cable comes in at the back and is soldered directly onto the main board, the switch is connected to the control panel/display at the front of the machine, which presumably tells a relay somewhere else to turn on or off.

IFL...?

 

[Maker]

IFL...?

Yep.

 

[Soren Hansen]

Awelco Unimig 250
Weight of the machine, 90kg +gas and wire.
Time it takes to get answers from manufactor, 30+ days if you are lucky.
What display means, is on the inside of the door to wirereel, not on the front.

 

[Rig Pig]

Migatronic automig 180, the fan runs all the time, the torch is obsolete and the caps need replacing after 30 Years!

Oxford 180 - Can't think of any complaints.

In all honesty they are both good solid old machines that owe me nothing.

 

[penfold]

I love my Lorch M2060 as it makes me look like a better welder, but;

1. the gas bottle perch won't take bigger than X or Y, a full bhuna W would cause it to be wildly unstable and probably fall over.

2. the wire reel and wire feed lives on top of the machine, the whole top forms the lid for the wirefeed compartment so I can't leave anything on top or attach a storage container for tips etc. Logic says I should just fit a storage box inside next to the reel, but I like parking stuff on top.

 

[angellonewolf]

clark 160en my conplaint its not a better unit like a miller or such

to be honest im not much of a welder but the torch lead could be a bit longer and from looking on the fourm swaping it over to a longer torch the feed motor is not man enught

the wire feed on mine could be better i do have to play with the screw that holds the 5kg real in it works fine then plays up thinking of a net curtain wire upgrade hope this fixes it but will strugle on with it never had a problem with the small reals

the earth clip is poor why put a piece of carp when a cheap china 400a is £3 if your making that meny mechines would it cost that much to add a better clip

 

[Maker]

IFL 200HF
Only downsides are the menu can be bit awkward to navigate and the weirdly shaped plastic case is a bit of a pain to put back together. HF start doesn't always work but I think its just because its old.

That is being really picky though, I honestly think its great. I'm sure someone more experienced than I would tell me the arc is unstable or something but it's not something I've noticed.

Oh, and I quite like the power switch on the back.

I thought of something else I don't like about it... It doesn't work any more.

 

[Richard.]

I thought of something else I don't like about it... It doesn't work any more.

That's generally a negative yes.

 

[Maker]

Kemppi Marc 500 HF

Weighs nearly half a tonne.
No AC balance.
No pulse function.
No AC frequency selection.
No gas solenoid.
Absolutely huge.
Draws 170 amps on 230v at full whack (500 amps AC).
I think it needs a controller I don't have.


On the up side, it was very cheap for an AC/DC machine and it's not gonna get stolen.

 

[Richard.]

Kemppi Marc 500 HF

Weighs nearly half a tonne.
No AC balance.
No pulse function.
No AC frequency selection.
No gas solenoid.
Absolutely huge.
Draws 170 amps on 230v at full whack (500 amps AC).
I think it needs a controller I don't have.


On the up side, it was very cheap for an AC/DC machine and it's not gonna get stolen.

Can you actually power it up?

 

[Richard.]

I can add fronius magicwave 2200 job to the list now.
It's tough to find negative points about this but I don't like the gas through dins socket on the front as it makes life difficult with regard to fitting a torch of your choice.
Service, parts, spares, extras are by a mile more expensive than any other brand I've known.
Other than that is amazing.

 

[Maker]

Can you actually power it up?

I haven't tried yet. If it wants 170A to put out 500, it makes sense (To me) that it should draw 17 amps to put out 50, so I could probably at least power it up.

 

[Richard.]

I haven't tried yet. If it wants 170A to put out 500, it makes sense (To me) that it should draw 17 amps to put out 50, so I could probably at least power it up.

Good for 1mm Alu then

 

[Bill Edwards]

I thought of something else I don't like about it... It doesn't work any more.

Good old IFL...

It's Ok though, it can be sent off to IF for repair. The repair might only cost 85% of the price of a new unit, bargain

What's (not) happening with it?

 

[Maker]

Good old IFL...

It's Ok though, it can be sent off to IF for repair. The repair might only cost 85% of the price of a new unit, bargain

What's (not) happening with it?

It's not welding. The display, the dials, the lights, the fan and the gas solenoid works, but no current, HF or otherwise, comes out.

 

[Bill Edwards]

It's not welding. The display, the dials, the lights, the fan and the gas solenoid works, but no current, HF or otherwise, comes out.

Oh it'll only cost a few hundred quid then, do you want IF's phone number...?

In all seriousness, as they're actually a great unit when working, I can did out the details of someone recommended by a forum member who can repair them for a fraction of the cost (i.e sensible money) of what IF charge.

 

[pondy]

my r tech 180mig, due to the compact design and my sausage fingers it does make loading the wire fiddly