Lorch T 220

[Andy Taylor]

cheers guys

Looks like I need to wait and see what Matt has to say on his return. I must admit I liked the price of Weldequips stuff so now I know that portamig does a Tig (why dont they call it portatig??) Oatabix is named correctly. lol

I do like the look and reports from LORCH stuff though so I need to wait till monday.

My problem is I THINK we need the ability to weld aluminium as the thrust and direction of my sons business is repairing Motorhomes and caravans but to start with his partner (mate) has a fair bit of work involving classic cars on offer and its all a bit flexible.

In addition to all of this a good contact has offered a number of salvage cars to keep cash flow and work available when things are quite in the Leisure vehicle side of things.

SO the AC is likely to be essential but my lads mate has said TIG is essential in classic car work anyway so I think essentially I need to establish if a new TIG is affordable and if its not how much cheaper a second hand TIG would really be .First in money terms and second in easier to weld etc as time is money......as long as there is plenty of work around.

Not an easy choice you see.

Thanks so far!

 

[bawjaws]

im sure i read on a post that weldequip is now a dealer for lorch also, so pm him

 

[Wozzaaah]

Portamig now do an ac/dc transformer tig called a 'tectig 182' which has up/down slope controls, post gas and a foot pedal connector. A tad over a grand I believe but if it's the usual build quality then it should be pretty bombproof. If you want bells, whistles and portability then you'll have to go inverter, though as others have said, they don't come cheap if you want a decent name.

 

[Andy Taylor]

Portamig now do an ac/dc transformer tig called a 'tectig 182' which has up/down slope controls, post gas and a foot pedal connector. A tad over a grand I believe but if it's the usual build quality then it should be pretty bombproof. If you want bells, whistles and portability then you'll have to go inverter, though as others have said, they don't come cheap if you want a decent name.

Thanks for all the replies. I am not sure what all the bells and whistles do to be honest although our welder (sons mate) will have more of an idea, although he is by no way extremely experienced.

SOme views seem to be go for a transformer TIG but others say inverter TIG.

Portability is another choice as we have 3 phase in the unit but I had always thought it would be a useful tool for me to weld up our race track (radio control cars) where we often need some bits and pieces welded up and have to resort to a Budget ARC welder which keeps tripping the genny. LOL.

AS you can see I would like an extremely universal machine but obviously need to make a decision based on my sons needs in the business rather than my pie in the sky wish list.

I do need to identify the benefits if 3 phase over 240 volts....oh the joys of choosing a welder.

 

[madkayaker]

An inverter tig probably would not like the generator. Most "3PH" machines only use two phases and are 400v single and lots will also run on 230V at a higher current

 

[Archie]

Hmmm MK. I'm sticking my neck out a bit here but I think the better inverters such as the Lorches are pretty genny friendly and that 3ph inverters use all three phases. It's the transformer ones that only use one or two.

 

[madkayaker]

Maybe not had any experience of the newer inverters or 3PH inverters. The easy way to check is take the back off the plug and count the wires! I know of a couple of 230V inverters that were killed with generators.

 

[snowcat]

Maybe not had any experience of the newer inverters or 3PH inverters. The easy way to check is take the back off the plug and count the wires! I know of a couple of 230V inverters that were killed with generators.

this was yeee olden times of inverters, my original cebora circa 1990 had that fate around 2002, however I don't know a moden Western machine that is not Genny freindly.......so yep the old ones weren't..

on the subject of machines, personally I would never, if I could afford to, buy a transformer machine, the portability, arc characteristics, and massive array of controls, make inverters the winner....

With that said a transformer machine will do exactly what it says on the Tin, and I still have one in regular use for High amp A/C.....

 

[runnach]

Invertors we use have a device that when switched on and, if incoming volts are too high, machine gives out an error reading, which in turn still allows machine to power up to a degree, it does not allow the welder to operate and weld. The electronics used in quality inverter machines are pretty damn clever!!

Cheers.......

 

[English Steve]

Weldequip can also supply an inverter AC/DC TIG set. PM him for details, (but I believe it's the same as this one ).

 

[Seano]

Oooooooh Archie, you lucky person you, I am suitably jealous now...hopefully in the new year I will have one from Matt also.

Sean.

 

[scarecrow]

Oooooooh Archie, you lucky person you, I am suitably jealous now...hopefully in the new year I will have one from Matt also.

Sean.

I think I will be doing the same having won a few quid on our annual Christmas card game last night but I doubt if it will stretch to ac/dc but might get me out of the secondhand transformer market congratulations on your purchase archie and I hope you have much fun with it

 

[Archie]

Well done on the win, Scarecrow. The only card game I ever win is 'racing demon'. Certainly from my experience I'd say you could do far worse than get yourself a Lorch.

 

[scarecrow]

I better p.m. mat before it evaporates as money has a tendency to do