Portamig or Tec-arc

[pondy]

I don't have a problem with my torch. Feels fine. But saying that all I have to compair too is a a basic Clarke, a sip and a plasticy feeling Euro torch technical arc sell. Compared to them it's great. but I am on the market for a 3m torch as my parweld is 4m, too long for my needs

 

[redgolf]

Depends whether you see the extra years guarantee being worth £100 or not. Everyone has a different take on it.

TecArc will give you a 2 year warranty for an extra £20 or £25 depending on how nicely you speak to them.

 

[redgolf]

Technical arc make both machines, les told me the only difference is portamig has Lowe amps and more warranty. So I went for a portamug

Weld-tech Industrial Services will do a good price on a TecArc set and will extend the warranty for 2 years for something like £15 which is a good deal.
The TecArc Prof-Mig 181 Compact Mig Welder is the mk2 version of the often talked about 20 -185 amps mig, it now features 12 voltage steps to give a very fine adjustment, so just be carefull which one you order, 12 settings are better than 6 and as far as Promig going as low as 15amps it just isn't necessary in my opinion unless you are trying to weld tissue paper! 20 amps is as good a starting point as any.
Oh and did you know that TecArc migs come in 3 colours, Red, Yellow and Blue..Just depends what the customer orders or what colour comes out of the factory that day.
Just bought a nice Yellow 181 from Weld-Tech. Designed and Manufactured in Great Britain, using high quality components, to industrial standards, so no alloy wound transformers in these machines and no cheap Chinese plastic switches. The copper wound transformers are guaranteed for 5 years the same as on the Oxfords. Now the Oxford 180 has 6 voltage steps the TecArc 181 Mk 2 Has 12 voltage steps to give a very fine adjustment.Which is the better Machine ( You chose) For me its the Tec Arc 181.

 

[blenkie1]

Tec arc, portamig, and Oxford are all made in York and like Malcolm said its only the inverter ones that are made in China. I think the Oxford ones have 'smoothing capacitors'. I have a Oxford 240, it's been dropped out a tractor bucket, been covered in snow and generally abused with no trouble.I Do try and buy British when I can.

 

[xmetal]

The Portamig 2016 models have smoothing capacitors too.

 

[redgolf]

portamigs seem to be about £100 pounds dearer than the tec-arc welders,can this be justified.

Not in my opinion., and you don't need a low 15 amp either, 20 amp start is fine and sometimes a little low even at 20amp for thin sheet metal.