Oxford Arc

[Simon-]

Hi,


Firstly im not a welder. I dabble in a little Mig welding so wouldnt be up to speed on this.


I was at a welding machine suppliers to pick up some Tig consumables for one of the lads in my job. I saw three old oxford welders to one side of the shop. When I asked about them the guy said that they were trade in old stock and he would take €200 for one. He said that they were 230v machines.

These were very big old traffo machines. I don't really know much more detail, but my question is would a serviceable old Oxford welder be worth the money. I am just looking at it from a sort of collectors perspective......


They looked similar to this one..

 

[brightspark]

well worth buying if in good working order. worth the price but thats about top end to pay. £150 sounds better its not realy an investment unless u use it. i paid £115 for mine new about 35 years ago and its had good use . it could sell for more than i paid for it

 

[Simon-]

Thanks Brightspark!

Im just a dam Magpie for that sort of stuff! They are miller agents. He also tried to flog me a 160amp Miller ac Tig for €1k which i swiftly declined.

Jees, show a little interest and they want to sell you the whole shop...

I think ill stick to my Portamig and try to master it! rather than a jack of all and a master of none!

 

[brightspark]

Thanks Brightspark!

Im just a dam Magpie for that sort of stuff! They are miller agents. He also tried to flog me a 160amp Miller ac Tig for €1k which i swiftly declined.

Jees, show a little interest and they want to sell you the whole shop...

I think ill stick to my Portamig and try to master it! rather than a jack of all and a master of none!

mig is easier to learn than stick welding plus u have a reputable machine PLUG PLUG and the current goes low enough for thin metal

 

[shenion]

Was that 200 euro or pounds?

I'd say 200 euro is a good price.

If you already have a TIG, then you already have an arc setup.

You can do some things in stick easier than MIG. I like that the setup time is near 0. There are lots of specialty rods for stick; a roll of equivalent MIG wire and the gas is expensive.

You could always sell it for what you paid.

 

[Simon-]

Was that 200 euro or pounds?

I'd say 200 euro is a good price.

If you already have a TIG, then you already have an arc setup.

You can do some things in stick easier than MIG. I like that the setup time is near 0. There are lots of specialty rods for stick; a roll of equivalent MIG wire and the gas is expensive.

You could always sell it for what you paid.

200 euro. Fair points noted!

 

[shenion]

I meant to add, you have a good MIG in the PortaMIG. By all accounts well made and will do a wide range of welds.

If you had a low-end MIG like 130A, I'd say definitely go for the Oxford.

I'd probably skip it and keep an eye out for a steal on an oil-cooled that someones SWMBO said "get rid of it"

Patience is how I got 1700lbs of welding gear for way less that the metal scrap value.

 

[cumbriasteve]

They are a great machine, for around £150 I would probably buy one if tested and in good order...saying that I have a habit of buying stuff that in all honesty I don't really have any use for, as my better half often gently reminds me.

I can't see the 'collectors item' scenario ever paying off and the only real benefit would be to save you hammering the Portamig if you had an awful lot of heavy gauge welding to do.

 

[roofman]

They are a great machine, for around £150 I would probably buy one if tested and in good order...saying that I have a habit of buying stuff that in all honesty I don't really have any use for, as my better half often gently reminds me.

I can't see the 'collectors item' scenario ever paying off and the only real benefit would be to save you hammering the Portamig if you had an awful lot of heavy gauge welding to do.

got a 200 amp Cambridge here taking room up...would let that go for £150 if your passing these parts (chester region)

 

[oilcooled :)]

i paid 600 euros for a bantam fully reconditioned 5 years ago, seems dear but its well paid for now, came from the crowd that imported pickhills into ireland, in ballymount industrial estate, dublin. think there called mobile tool supplies