Shedendman
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^^^^^^ another must do project i have to do,among the other 57
- Thread starter baldy
- Start date
What I like about them is the wide range of amps they cover, 20-270, 30-330 IIRC for some models, which makes them very versatile, if on the big and heavy side.
I've only used one machine that you could call industrial and that was an Esab model; but the Oxfords seem much more common in the UK compared to Esab, Lincoln, etc which at least feels reassuring in terms of knowledge availability, parts, upgrades, etc.
BTW is that a home made linishing machine? Do you have a thread for that, I'm considering getting one from Warco when they come back in stock, would considering making one if there is enough information on how to go about it around the web.
Shedendman
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Try youtube,you should know how
Try youtube,you should know how
Just about to lol
Yes its a genereic linisher /belt grinder using a 6x2 belt, and in this case a dc treadmill motor.The websites are awash with plans to build them.I knocked this up, a mate did all the prep, i did all the welding(sort of). Started off with 3.2mm mma on the feet with customer supplied screwfix 6013's, which are utter *****.Getting the slag off requires a kango hammer! .So busted out the oxford mig instead. I wanted to use the mma as i was worried the mig wouldnt get enough penetration,which it clearly did. And also i wanted the mma practice! .And i wanted to save some co2 for another project im starting shortly.
John Payne
New Member
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- Kent
Hi, Andrew how did you get on with having your Oxford 200-1 repaired? I'm in the process of looking for another welder and like the look of the Oxford . Many thanks John
They dont solder the wires on aircraft ,,, theres a reason for it. Resistance increase , heat effects on the cable and vibration snapping rigid wires , and if you put tinned cables in screw terminals you only really get two very small points of contact , think of a pipe in a vise , so often clamped cables are left bare and un tinned , I used to think it was just faster and so cheaper , but there are reasons for things that may not be obvious immediately.
Hi baldy I have just got my 270 oxford just wondering are you using gaslessI ordered an Oxford Migmaker 180-1 from Technical Arc via Welding Supplies direct , Ive dealt with Tom and Jack to order the machine, which was quoted at around 2-3 weeks. Oooh the waiting,Its like looking forward to Christmas! .Tom is on the forum
Next day the BINZEL Mig Torch arrived along with the wire and a few more bits a, i opted for the genuine Binzel torch and wasnt disappointed, a quality feel to the item,a 4 metre MB15 pro evo which suited me fine.
I also ordered the machine with a 5 metre power lead , a 4 metre earth lead, and 3 weeks down the line decided to upgrade the build to inc the polarity conversion kit for gasless wire.I didnt order the spot timer as ive no need for it.
I also added a piece of old trim i had lurking on the front to stop the load door chipping off the paint.
Also i ordered a switch to disable the wire feed for when purging the gas out which always did my heeed in on other machines. I do like the way in which you can specify what you want!
The machine is a top loader with the reel laid on its side.
The Eagle eyed amongst you will notice 2 rolls of wire, one is 0.6 and one is 0.8. I modified the reel retaining nut with the bench grinder so that when two rolls are fitted the lid will close and ive both sizes at my disposal without searching for stuff,also in the brown box are the mig tips and spare shrouds.
This is the nut i machined on the grinder.
The top loader is super handy as you can store the torch inside the machine when not in use to avoid damage and damp.
It also has a quality wire feed with geared rollers and dual size 0.6 and 0.8 mm
Heres a shot of the modded arrangement for the dual wires
You can see that the feed wont be a problem from either reel.With the feed originating from the centre of both reels.
When it arrived the donut courier driver tried to deliver, and didnt persevere enough with the door bell and i ended up waiting another day for the delivery.
I also had a problem with gas escaping inside the machine, which to be fair was my fault.It wasnt an oxford fault or a binzel fault, just me being a Richard.
With Many phone calls to and fro from me, Tom and Jack ,and then Technical Arc we sorted it out. Ive had five star service from Welding Supplies Direct, i cannot praise them enough, totally totally five star service, whatever you order you will NOT be disappointed, at all. Now anything i need i go there first without a second thought.
I spoke to George at technical arc, trying to sort this gas escape, super helpful guy. its not very often you can speak to guy that built an appliance for you! Ive also a Jasic mma set , i doubt i could speak to fella that built that!
The welder does weld really nice and super creamy welds are quite easy. When it arrived i took forum advice and decided to remove the side and check for polystyrene debris.I wasnt dispappointed. there was lots.
Another pointer which i was disappointed with , was the use of ****ty crimps put on with a pair of ratchet crimps. im sure an extra twenty minutes with some proper Lucars soldered on with decent sheaths on would make the longevity of the machine a lot better.The general build inside is very tidy with only one PCB controlling the wire feed which is also syncronized with the power level switch, so when the voltage is cranked up, the wire speed increases too.
I like the old school feel to the machine, which should last an awful long time with really only basic components inside and no real computers or wizardry installed.
Heres a nice picture of the machine in the sunshine.Sorry about the van photobombing the picture.
It also has the capability to add a mig bottle on the rear with the usual chain type arrangement.
The instruction book if im honest..... is pants.Its a basic pamphlet with just generic stuff and tbh Oxford you could do better.2/10 sorry.Pull your socks up!!!
Also i note the rear axle looks like a bare steel tube. i think ill take that off,and paint or laquer it.Im not sure why it wasnt galvanised for an extra 50p
Ive done a few test welds.
I was just messing about on some scrap and with the power levels. Ive had to crank up the breaker on my 16 amp supply from firstly a B type, then to a C type and lastly a D type. Ive hit power level 5/6 so far, ive havnt had the opportunity yet to go flat out as the c breaker tripped out, and only just as i type gone to a D type 16 amp.
On the whole im pleased with the Binzel and the Oxford with only a poor manual,and crimps that let it down. The Sales and after sales from Welding Supplies Direct has been awesome.
I hope this helps out,and Oxford read it, and up their game !
Regards Pauly
easier looking at it than looking for it.
Jim Davey
R H Davey Welding Supplies Ltd
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There are numerous feeder options. If it came without a spool cover it’s because the person doing the ordering chose not to specify one.
Or, the dealer deliberately chose all the cheapest options to make their quote seem more competitive.
There are fully enclosed suitcase style feeders, in both metal and plastic. Then there are open style feeders, a box on a plate with a bracket for the spool, which can have an optional clamshell style spool cover fitted. Incidentally these items can be ordered separately and retrofitted at any time.
Hi Baldy, the Oxford mig looks like a nice welder and I'm pretty sure that's what I'm going to go for. I don't think I need anything bigger than a 180, but was thinking about going for the 200, just to play it safe. Once you start going larger the price also starts to go up and I don't want to waste money if I don't need it. I have a 16a supply so I think a 240 is as large as I can go anyway. I think I'll be using it 95% for car body repairs, its for only for home/hobby use. I want to make a pedestrian gate, but can't really see me going over 5mm.
I notice you are thinking about getting a larger machine, just wondering what your thoughts where on it?
I notice you are thinking about getting a larger machine, just wondering what your thoughts where on it?
Its basicly the same machine, but with a bigger transformer and larger output. If you look at the other machines in the clan, some have 12 output settings rather than the six on the Migmaker, alas some of the other styles of machine are side loading, vs top loader of the migmaker.
Would i need 12 output settings?, i dont know really,im happy with 6 i currently have, if you were doing repetitive production runs whereby you could fine tune the output exactly perfect, then it might be useful.If you order one go through WSD ,they are very good. Add the feed wire disable, thats very handy to purge the gas line and i find it super handy.There isnt much difference price wise between the 180 and 200.I went for a 4 mt binzel torch and an extended 4mt earth lead too.I also added the gasless wire option, which to date ive never used tbh.I find the long mig torch and earth leads handy.Oh and the fan is noisy, when the warranty runs out ill be changing that and binning the noisy bugger.
Olderisbetter
Member
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- Wolverhampton
I have the 200 which is semi sygenetic and i think it just makes for a smoother weld or so i was told, but it works very well even in my untrained hands.
Are you happy with the 200? Did you consider a larger machine?
Olderisbetter
Member
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- Wolverhampton
More than happy with it and i run it on a standard plug but it is rare i use it on anything thicker than 4mm
