Yep, another what MIG welder thread.

[MysterG]

So I was thinking about replacing my old Cebora 130 (we all know replacing means keeping the old one just in case ) and MrsG has agreed my budget of £500.
I'd like to support our new forum sponsor if at all possible, but maybe that limits my options?

I need something that will do car body work, but also thicker stuff, 5mm or so. Most of my use would be for 'decorative' items, with a mixture of thick and thin steel. I do not weld regularly so it would be sat around for most of it's life realistically.

I have the usual quandary regarding inverter stuff, I've been spoiled by my 30 year old Cebora that has really not had any serious issues, and really want something that stands a chance of lasting as long (that may well be impossible on my budget) or at least being fixable.

I've been looking at the Paton 160 and the Parweld 171 (don't really need the . Portability is not high on my list. It will never leave the garage, and if the torch is longer than the old Cebora one I'll have to move it less anyway. Lighter is better with my back though.
Whilst the Paton seems to be a great machine, do I really need any of the fancy bells and whistles it has?
I have to say the look of it puts me off too , give me something with decent knobs (stop sniggering at the back) you can adjust with welding gloves on any day. Be nice to have something more adjustable though rather than a few fixed positions.

Not sure I need the ability to TIG or stick either. I have a little Rohr box to scratch that itch if I really need to.

I do have a space on my garage CU for adding a 16A circuit, so that's not a problem.

Any others I should be considering? Is my budget unrealistic?

I'm awful when it comes to making decisions, and usually just give up and stick with what I have especially when what I have works okay and I don't really need a new one ...

 

[atomant48]

Did you specify in your agreement if that were to include VAT? :-)

 

[zzr1200]

An Oxford mig is the way to go for longevity of spares availiblity and reliability, if you have the space for a transformer based machine.

And probably within or close to your budget, contact Tom at WSD above.

 

[Tom Orrow L]

If you're wanting something with a decent amount of voltage steps that lays down a decent weld I can thoroughly reccomend the Parweld XTE 171C. The PARWELD10 coupon code will get you 10% off at checkout too

Parweld XTE 171C MIG Welder 'Ready to Weld' Package

Key Features 5MM maximum weld thickness on mild steel 30A - 170A output Weight - 38.5KG 'Ready to Weld' package included Duty cycle - 15% @ 165A Suitable for automotive work 2 year warranty

www.weldingsuppliesdirect.co.uk

 

[MysterG]

If you're wanting something with a decent amount of voltage steps that lays down a decent weld I can thoroughly reccomend the Parweld XTE 171C. The PARWELD10 coupon code will get you 10% off at checkout too

Parweld XTE 171C MIG Welder 'Ready to Weld' Package

Key Features 5MM maximum weld thickness on mild steel 30A - 170A output Weight - 38.5KG 'Ready to Weld' package included Duty cycle - 15% @ 165A Suitable for automotive work 2 year warranty

www.weldingsuppliesdirect.co.uk

It's telling me "The coupon code "PARWELD10" is not valid." was just trying it out as ICBA to work it out for myself
Don't sell it without the 'extras' do you?

 

[Tom Orrow L]

It's telling me "The coupon code "PARWELD10" is not valid." was just trying it out as ICBA to work it out for myself
Don't sell it without the 'extras' do you?

Should work now there was a mis-categorisation on the product. We do, it only knocks off about £20 though so for the value of the items you're getting it works out a lot better to get the package.

 

[MysterG]

Been thinking more (did I mention I'm awful at decision making ) and all I've really decided is definitely not an inverter machine.
I was almost going to hit the buy button on the Parweld XTE 171C, but the lure of the Oxford is strong ... Damn you @zzr1200 for bringing them to my attention.

Am I going to notice a significantly better weld or welding experience with the Oxford 180 over the Parweld?
Am I going to notice the extra 10kgs it weighs? After all once my 20l bottle is strapped to the back they will both be bloody heavy. Come to that will they both take a 20l bottle?

Then of course there is the made in the UKness, and various guarantees including parts availability to consider but is that worth the extra £180 or so???

Arrrrgh! As I said in my opening post, I'll get so frustrated with the decision making process I'll probably just stick with my Cebora for a few more years

 

[atomant48]

Out of interest why have you decided that ? Not agreeing or disagreeing just interested in thinking.

 

[MysterG]

The UK made is part of it along with the spares.
Slightly wider amp range.
And I can find more in my searches regarding Oxford over Parweld.

But would I notice the extra amps, and not finding much on Parweld probably means they can't be bad. We just know how people love to shout on the internet when things go wrong.

I'd love to not spend extra, and be blown away by the Parweld abilities, and compared to my Cebora I probably would be.

If I'm spending even £500 then I guess I want it to be the last MIG I buy.

 

[zzr1200]

I have the usual quandary regarding inverter stuff, I've been spoiled by my 30 year old Cebora that has really not had any serious issues, and really want something that stands a chance of lasting as long (that may well be impossible on my budget) or at least being fixable.

I had an ESAB 160 mig welder that I purchased new about 35 years ago, which I sold for about £300 less than a year ago, I lost about £250.00 against the orginal purchase price. I only ever had to fit consumable items to it so, I regard that as a result.

£250.00 for 35 years reliable service result in my books.

I replaced my ESAB with an Oxford mig looking at the build quality compared with the ESAB, I won't be needing to buy another mig in my life time.

If you have the space and can stretch the funds, buy the Oxford.

Am I bias, yes for longevity and service.

Parweld are good but probably more chance of letting the magic smoke out of the box, than an Oxford.

You try ordering a pcb in 25 years for parweld...

 

[ChrisBailey]

I got a tecarc 181 for £460 delivered and it included a torch.
Its almost the same as the oxford.

 

[a111r]

£300 to £350 buys a barely used mig built by Technical Arc Ltd (brands: T-Mig, Portamig, Oxford).
They come up for sale on here, if you can bide your time.

And an old working Cebora, without the usual broken parts, will sell for £100.

 

[MysterG]

Oh bugger what have I done

Just ordered an Oxford 200-1 ... yes I know, but it was only a bit more than the 180 and if it's going to last 20 years then at some point I'm bound to want those extra amps .... aren't I

Best get out the garage and start tidying up, and work out where the 16a socket is going. Oh and work out how to tell MrsG it's beans on toast for the next few weeks .... no butter on the toast obviously

 

[zzr1200]

Oh bugger what have I done



Best get out the garage and start tidying up, and work out where the 16a socket is going.

If your putting in a 16amp supply, you might as well put in a 32amp supply instead, just incase you ever buy a plasma cutter or in 20 years buy a bigger mig....

Anyway it called future proofing...........

 

[MysterG]

If your putting in a 16amp supply, you might as well put in a 32amp supply instead, just incase you ever buy a plasma cutter or in 20 years buy a bigger mig....

Anyway it called future proofing...........

Only thing is I have all the bits for a 16a supply without spending more money.

 

[atomant48]

If your putting in a 16amp supply, you might as well put in a 32amp supply instead, just incase you ever buy a plasma cutter or in 20 years buy a bigger mig....

Anyway it called future proofing...........

Or an electric car

 

[ChrisBailey]

If you are installing a new cable run, put it on a type c MCB, I made the rookie mistake of using a 16amp type b MCB and my 181 trips it alot.
Luckily I had a 40amp MCB fitted with a different cable run for a compressor and I just use that instead.

 

[Munkul]

If you are installing a new cable run, put it on a type c MCB, I made the rookie mistake of using a 16amp type b MCB and my 181 trips it alot.
Luckily I had a 40amp MCB fitted with a different cable run for a compressor and I just use that instead.

Good advice, not many MIG welders will run on a type B unless it's way bigger capacity than needed.

 

[Benterrier]

Make this guy an offer;

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