Eutectic special offer

[mishka]

Well, my Christmas present arrived at home this morning - bloody good service! I ordered yesterday morning around 11ish, and it turned up today around 11ish.

Here I am, stuck at work for the day, writing a memo about Reed Solomon codecs (don't ask). Damn.

 

[snowcat]

If it is the same as the transpockets, It will be an excellent little machine.. and bloady robust..

 

[zardoz]

Arggh this always bloody happens when im potless. So All i need now is someone to lend me the loot and im away. Any volunteers ?

(zardoz turns around to see an empty forum. A tumbleweed blows on by.....)

 

[snowcat]

There's a seller on ebay whos got a stash of Fronius Transpockets new, hes been selling them for about 6 months for around the £230 mark buy it now... worth keeping an eye out for look an excellent buy far less than my cost ..Sure he must be a dealer.

 

[mishka]

Finally got to open the box! Not melted any rods yet (that's for tomorrow).

I was initially hesitant in buying one as first looks showed that it only did scratch TIG and other machines only a bit more offered lift TIG (e.g., the EWM Pico 162). But, hand-on-heart I bought it anyway. So, after reading the manual (yes, I know, very unmanly!) it turns out that it does do lift TIG, so I'm a right happy bunny

The biggest difference I can see between the UltraMax2 and the Transpocket mentioned by snowcat is that the UltraMax2 does pulse TIG as well (unless you go for the high-end TransPockets), which I gather is useful for welding thin stuff.

The only bizarre thing with it at the moment is that the mains lead ends in a SHUCO (European) plug. But they supply a suitable converter plug for UK sockets. Which is nice.

Build quality looks good. The exploded diagram shows they use a planar transformer - more compact than traditional bobbin-wound designs. The PCB technology is all surface mount, giving a compact and robust constructions. There are plenty of internal plastic supports to hold things together. The user manual even includes the part number of the main output diode block - makes replacement easy! Its an ST Semi BYV255V200, spares available from Farnell for £36 + VAT.

So far, from the initial 'open-box' experience, I think this is a nice machine. Time will tell.

 

[Drains]

Mishka, I love your write up. I particularly like what it says about you - as you've not burned a rod on the machine yet, but you have had a good poke about inside!!!

Let us know how it goes. If you give it the thumbs up. I may well try and buy one myself (if they are open between now and next weekend), as I didn't realize the set was lift tig!

 

[matt1978]

Its a shame you all didn't get your heads together sooner, with the buy 4 get the 5th free offer...........could of bagged a even better deal.

I would be interested to hear about the Pulse tig option, I used to work for Fronius and they didn't do the Pulse option on the TP 1400, only on the TP 1500. They was pre-set pulse Freq, 0.5Hz to 5Hz I think. Anyway I am surprised this 140 amp unit from Eutectic has the pulse feature

 

[Drains]

Its a shame you all didn't get your heads together sooner, with the buy 4 get the 5th free offer...........could of bagged a even better deal.

I thought I might point them in the direction of this thread and see if a discount would be forthcoming...

Optimistic fella. inni?

 

[matt1978]

Worth a try mate

 

[mishka]

Mishka, I love your write up. I particularly like what it says about you - as you've not burned a rod on the machine yet, but you have had a good poke about inside!!!

Its the designer in me - wants to see how it was put together, what technologies were used, general feel for the design process. You can tell a lot by the basics - if they can't get those right, what hope is there for the complex stuff?

Let us know how it goes. If you give it the thumbs up. I may well try and buy one myself (if they are open between now and next weekend), as I didn't realize the set was lift tig!

Will do. It won't be a thorough road-test, just a quick rod-n-sparky to see how all that technology (Hot Start, Arc Force) changes the feel.

 

[zzr1200]

Its a shame you all didn't get your heads together sooner, with the buy 4 get the 5th free offer...........could of bagged a even better deal.

I would be interested to hear about the Pulse tig option, I used to work for Fronius and they didn't do the Pulse option on the TP 1400, only on the TP 1500. They was pre-set pulse Freq, 0.5Hz to 5Hz I think. Anyway I am surprised this 140 amp unit from Eutectic has the pulse feature

The pulse is pre-set, for those who require more info. I've attached the manual (those in power may wish to move to the manual section if need be)

 

[zardoz]

At least 34 pages then? Now thats a decent manual (Portamig take note)

 

[G Jones]

Mishka, I love your write up. I particularly like what it says about you - as you've not burned a rod on the machine yet, but you have had a good poke about inside!!!
Let us know how it goes. If you give it the thumbs up. I may well try and buy one myself (if they are open between now and next weekend), as I didn't realize the set was lift tig!

I intend trying to get hold of someone tomorrow about this offer...
I did try and send the contact form yesterday - but it was timing out and not working.
I am hoping they are open Monday - if they are - I know it's a bit late in the day - but how many other people might be interested in one of these sets ?
Not sure how it might work - but are there enough folks here wanting one of these to get the 5 for 4 deal ?
Let's have a show of hands please...
If not - If I can get hold of some one tomorrow - I could always buy 5 - and flog the rest off at a certain Auction site ? - probably wouldn't be getting any Xmas dinner though

 

[irondarren]

At least 34 pages then? Now thats a decent manual (Portamig take note)

stop moaning Zardoz at least you got a manual with your portamig, i got nothing Not that i would have read them anyway lol

 

[snowcat]

I would be interested to hear about the Pulse tig option, I used to work for Fronius and they didn't do the Pulse option on the TP 1400, only on the TP 1500. They was pre-set pulse Freq, 0.5Hz to 5Hz I think. Anyway I am surprised this 140 amp unit from Eutectic has the pulse feature

Nope mines got no pulse so would be intrested in the write up....If its any good then the TP might be geting a trade in

 

[zzr1200]

If I can get hold of some one tomorrow - I could always buy 5 - and flog the rest off at a certain Auction site ? - probably wouldn't be getting any Xmas dinner though

If you ordered tomorrow, you may well have sold the spare units by the time your deed had been discovered, then you could have saved money or made a profit depending on how you sell the units. Xmas dinner should be safe, if profitable buy the boss an extra present (Brownie points)

 

[mishka]

Finally got to burn a couple of rods this afternoon with the new toy. Very nice. No 50Hz growl, just a gently hissing sound. The hot-start makes striking a bit easier once you get used to it. And the arc-force seems to make it a little easier to maintain an arc - I experimented with pushing the rod into the pool to see if the arc-force would up the burn rate to maintain the arc, which it seemed to do.

A couple of minor observations/niggles:

1/ The operating mode switch is a little toggle switch. I can understand that this is not used that much (how often do you switch between MMA and TIG modes?) but a more substantial switch might survive longer. But this is only a minor point.

2/ More relevant to typical use, the current setting control. Good that the knob is recessed inside the front moulding to protect it. But that makes it difficult to change the setting while wearing welding gloves. I would also change it for a pot with either a damper to slow the turn speed, or one with detent action to stop it spinning round at the touch of a gloved finger. With the old Oxford you have a damn great handle to pull/twist/push to change current - this little chappie spins round from zero to blow-through at the lightest touch. Or maybe its just something else to get used to?

Having looked at the front panels of equivalent products from Fronius and EWM I see that my comments may also apply to those machines. Perhaps those with access may be able to confirm this.

My own comment on the quality of the leads supplied with this welder is that they are sufficient for this machine. Both work clamp and electrode holder are 200A rated, and the cables are flexible enough for my needs.

I think that as it stands this is a great product at this price. It will be interesting to see what they do next year regarding products and pricing.

One final observation - in the box you get a nicely printed personalised guarantee certificate. And given the UK office is not too far away I think it is worth the paper it is printed on

In summary, I am very happy with this little welder and think its great value. A big THANKS to Simon for spotting it and passing the word on.

 

[G Jones]

by the time your deed had been discovered,

Hell - how do you manage that ? - I've only been wed 27 years - and have had little success in carrying off that tremendous feat ???

extra present (Brownie points)

Doesn't do to spoil 'em

Before anyone gets the wrong idea (or my missus finds this post) - I have 27 years under my belt now - and very little cause for complaint - so just kidding - I was lucky enough to find a diamond

 

[zzr1200]

Hell - how do you manage that ? - I've only been wed 27 years - and have had little success in carrying off that tremendous feat ???

Slush fund, not all private jobs are revealed to the boss or maybe the true cost of the item...

Doesn't do to spoil 'em

Once in a whiles ok.

 

[snowcat]

A couple of minor observations/niggles:

1/ The operating mode switch is a little toggle switch. I can understand that this is not used that much (how often do you switch between MMA and TIG modes?) but a more substantial switch might survive longer. But this is only a minor point.

2/ More relevant to typical use, the current setting control. Good that the knob is recessed inside the front moulding to protect it. But that makes it difficult to change the setting while wearing welding gloves. I would also change it for a pot with either a damper to slow the turn speed, or one with detent action to stop it spinning round at the touch of a gloved finger. With the old Oxford you have a damn great handle to pull/twist/push to change current - this little chappie spins round from zero to blow-through at the lightest touch. Or maybe its just something else to get used to?

Having looked at the front panels of equivalent products from Fronius and EWM I see that my comments may also apply to those machines. Perhaps those with access may be able to confirm this.

My own comment on the quality of the leads supplied with .

Yep, its simlar on the fronius, The switch has survived heavy handed use from yours truely..

I dont think the issues with the amp knob will be a problem once your used to the machine.. Iv never thought about it TBH...

Once your used to it im sure your love the way it runs especialy with 3.25 6013s, all i ever really use in the TP