My new ESAB setup

[PeteMate]

Evening all - first post, long-time lingerer!

So having used my ThermalArk 175 TIG for a couple of years and become quite good at it (i think) I decided it was time to finally get a decent MIG setup, as car bodywork is impossible with a tig.

I bought a 2nd-hand crappy SIP box last year and though "god, MIG is HARD!" so i sold it (for £56) and got someone else to do the patch i needed doing to pass an MOT.

ANYWAY - this week I bit the bullet and DIDNT go to machine mart, i went to a proper welding supplier and got a real machine - an ESAP c151.
I havent had a chance to play much, but i have stitch-welded some cracks in my floor-pan successfully.

Must say, top quality machine (but pricey):

 

[jinjahbiscuit]

Woah! Matching helmet dude!

Looks pretty good though, how you getting on?

 

[PeteMate]

Yep! got the mask a few months ago from EngWeld, Derby, as I was making a new stainless exhaust and my (cheap-o) mask got wet and stuck on dark!

So went back to them for the machine - they are pushing ESAP and are warranty/service centres too.

I only picked it up this afternoon (weighs a TON!), put a plug on (came with a euro-plug), loaded some .6 wire and had a quick go at the floor cracks, so not tried much at all with it yet, i'll update when i have tried more.
But ive got to say, this cost 3x a clarke / sip / draper machine, you can see why, its just fully superior in every way (made in Poland though?! at least its europe!)

Two minor complaints, the rear gas bottle shelf isnt big enough for a midi cylinder to sit in, and there is no "power on" light, so you dont know if its plugged in without checking.

 

[balmerchris]

Nice machine, you wont be disappointed. i've used a couple of esabs and they are sweet! I know what you mean about the sip, i have a 195 turbo or something and have almost threw it across the yard on numerous occasions the wire feed is the most useless thing known to man. I would like to get the origo mag 251 if i can ever gather the coppers up for it, and if i win the lotto the lorch m pro 252 control pro "dogs muts"