which MIG for light fabrication

[R08]

I'm looking to set up a small workshop in my garage for weekend work. I'm really struggling with the large choice of MIG welders available. Has anyone got any experience with the lorch m-pro 170, esab origiomig c171, r tech mig 180 or any alternatives. I am hoping for a welder that wont fail me soon after going out of guarentee.

 

[Tom Orrow L]

I'm looking to set up a small workshop in my garage for weekend work. I'm really struggling with the large choice of MIG welders available. Has anyone got any experience with the lorch m-pro 170, esab origiomig c171, r tech mig 180 or any alternatives. I am hoping for a welder that wont fail me soon after going out of guarentee.

Out of the three I'd choose the Lorch.
I'm sure @matt1978 can tell you the ins and outs of the machine.

 

[R08]

Thanks guys. why would you go with lorch over esab? i have heard that esab are no longer made in sweden and quality has diminished, is this right? I'd only be using the welder for gates and small fabrications, so i don't need many features on the welder just one that will work after its out of warranty.

 

[cumbriasteve]

Have you considered the Oxford/Portamig range of machines, old school heavy build quality with I personally think (but can't prove) the chance of being longer lasting over a period of years.

Not exactly portable but what mig is with it's bottle of gas?

 

[Kent]

Those are too light a duty for all but the skinniest gates. Look at the loch 252 or the 250? Oregano ( or whatever they call it) lorch is a better class than the esab but it's also ( or should be a lot cheaper)

Couldn't put the r- tech in the same class both the above should last decades the r - tech? Mmm limited imo it's just a re branded Chinese import with an expensive guarantee and interest free credit built into the retail

Sorry if this upsets fans but it's just how it is

 

[PTvor]

What about getting a Jasic with five year warranty?

http://www.weldequip.com/jasic-mig.htm

IIRC it was discussed on here a week or two back and the warranty is two years from Jasic and an extra three from Wilkinson Star, but it did include heavy use and is pretty much genuine.

 

[matt1978]

Have you considered the Oxford/Portamig range of machines, old school heavy build quality with I personally think (but can't prove) the chance of being longer lasting over a period of years.

Not exactly portable but what mig is with it's bottle of gas?

The Lorch and the ESAB mentioned are also old school Transformer based machines

IIRC it was discussed on here a week or two back and the warranty is two years from Jasic and an extra three from Wilkinson Star, but it did include heavy use and is pretty much genuine.

Provided you pay for a annual service

 

[cumbriasteve]

The Lorch and the ESAB mentioned are also old school Transformer based machines

Speed reading is obviously not one of my strengths

 

[Tom Orrow L]

Thanks guys. why would you go with lorch over esab? i have heard that esab are no longer made in sweden and quality has diminished, is this right? I'd only be using the welder for gates and small fabrications, so i don't need many features on the welder just one that will work after its out of warranty.

I've never used either machine, I just know that if both machines were put in front of me I'd choose the Lorch simply because I know the quality is there.
ESAB have some outstanding stuff in their range but from what I'm told the small ESAB transformer MIG's are nothing to rant and rave about.

 

[Brad93]

170amps isnt big enough for gates and isnt going to have the duty cycle needed id have though. You'd be better looking at a bigger machine, but lorch will get expensive when you start moving up the model range. Theyre machines aimed at full time professional fab shops.
What about a lincoln powertec?

 

[Kent]

BTW I have tested the 250 esab against the 252 lorch. Lorch is better put together but one set up both would be even Steven running a bead. The Lorch control pro version would be an advantage to a less competent operator as regards set up

 

[MichaelV]

Hi R08
I own a Lorch M-Pro 252. It's been a great machine, and I feel able to recommend it to anyone looking to undertake the kind of work you describe. I routinely run 1.0 wire in spray transfer, using either Argoshield Heavy or Universal. I've also run 1.2 rutile flux core wire (Kobelco DW-A50) with perfectly acceptable results. Let me know if you want more specifics.
Good luck
Michael

 

[steve t]

I also think you need a 250 machine for the work you describe

 

[R08]

cheers guys, i'll take all this on board. Unfortunately i don't have three phase so the lorch 252 wont work for me. I don't even have a 16/32 amp plug at the moment as i have no space in my fuse box and need to find a way around this. Do you think i could get away with a 200 amp machine for this sort of work? The gates would be fairly light duty as i have a small workshop and frames would of course be welded all around and with a bevel.

 

[R08]

Another 200 amp welder in the same price range is the miller migmatic, anyone know much about this?

 

[matt1978]

The 252 is a 230v single phase machine.

But even so you will need atleast a 16amp supply

 

[Tom Orrow L]

Another 200 amp welder in the same price range is the miller migmatic, anyone know much about this?

One of my favourite machines to use, well the DX model anyway. Tell it what gas, wire & material you're using, it sets it to what it thinks you'll need and then you can fine tune wire speed and volts. Smooth arc and easy to use.

Not used the standard if I'm honest but i'm sure the weld quality is just as good, just the front panel is different.

 

[Kent]

The only way I can see you can get worthwhile welds on black bar doing gates and railings on only 13amp is mma with a little inverter

It's not as hard as you think putting in a 32 amp supply

To be fair if you ain't got room for a meter don't put one in. You take the shop supply off after the house meter it's a job for a regular spark not the power company

It's not an easy trade to set up in to be fair if we are talking doing it to earn a living

 

[R08]

My bad Matt, i was looking at the 250 thanks for clearing that up. Thanks for the tips guys that lorch is looking very tempting. I do have a small inverter mma welder although i'm hoping to keep that for solely site work due to production time. Thanks for the tip of taking the supply off at the meter i will have to get some quotes from local sparkys as my knowledge of electrics will only result in a blackout or fire....
I already work full time as a welder fabricator for a big company this would just be added income (hopefully) whenever the chance arises.