realistic needs for MMA welder

[BrokenBiker]

120 amps it's tripped the 32a breaker enough times when warm - forget trying it off 13a and that isn't thinking about extension leads.

that would be a major issue for me as i know the 2 main places i would need it with me only have 13 amp (and no electric cooker socket either)

 

[daleyd]

that would be a major issue for me as i know the 2 main places i would need it with me only have 13 amp (and no electric cooker socket either)

Mine occasionally trips the breaker at first switch on (usually ok the second time though) and occasionally when welding above about 90 amps. On the same supply I've had my inverter up at 140 amps without tripping.

 

[Bill Edwards]

It's not just about the inconvenience of being stopped mid weld and having to traipse back to reset, but when it's a house you need to have access to their electric cupboard. Not good if they don't know where it is or have gone out.

 

[Sarto]

Just keeping in mind that your needs are:
- mobile welding
- little power needed

it seems (to me, of course) that the best solution is the inverter.
Older machine are the exact opposite (heavy and power thirsty).

With mine (an half regular Telwin inverter) I fired 4mm 7018, on a 3kW household line.
No tripping whatsoever.

Just 2 Eurocents

 

[HughF]

I have replied to your Pm Lewis... And now have had a read of this. I would not suggest using an Oxford as a 'portable site machine' unless you can move it around site in a wheelbarrow and then get it into the car/van with a hoist... Pete on here was selling a nice looking small oil cooled machine which was 1 foot cubed and could be considered more portable...

Hugh

 

[BrokenBiker]

starting to think maybe its not the way forward and that an inverter is probably the better choice

 

[daleyd]

Don't get the idea that they are no good, I think they are fantastic bits of kit, it's just portability isn't in their list of plus points...

 

[BrokenBiker]

Don't get the idea that they are no good, I think they are fantastic bits of kit, it's just portability isn't in their list of plus points...

its not only the portability that i am looking at but the need to run off a 13amp supply when at other properties...i have 16amp sockets here, with cable taht will happily take 32amp so just a case of swapping sockets over to go to 32amp if needed but wont have that at customers houses, the xti160 will run a 3.2mm rod on a 13amp supply happily according to weldequips page and that is more suited to what i will be doing

 

[Brad93]

Is an inverter fusion unit no good. Had one for years and after sales is good. Burns 3.2 all day long. 13 amp plug on mine.

 

[BrokenBiker]

cant see much difference between the IFL and the Parweld apart from the price, and the IFL comes with a 13 amp plug on it, which i would probably cut off straight away so i could plug it into my 16 amp sockets anyway and then use a fly lead for 13amp

 

[Brad93]

The IFL is a robust little thing, more of a site welder than the Parweld by the looks.

Digital readout too.

 

[daleyd]

The IFL is a robust little thing, more of a site welder than the Parweld by the looks.

Digital readout too.

I'm sure they are an excellent welder but there seems a big price differential between these and the parweld!

 

[Bill Edwards]

They are good, I have two. But unless you need the very good duty cycle or cellulose capability I'd probably go with something cheaper such as the Parweld. Less cost.

 

[Brad93]

@Bill Edwards yes I suppose so I have the 180MA . Its a very, very capable machine with 100% duty cycle.

 

[BrokenBiker]

i have no need for cellulose rods and the parweld boasts 100% on 2.5mm rods too

 

[mtt.tr]

i have no need for cellulose rods and the parweld boasts 100% on 2.5mm rods too

Was going to say as a hobby welder you'd never need more than 7018 but more often than not just 6013.

 

[dannyp]

the idea of takeing an oil cooled out to job fills me with horror, they are awkward to lift and heavy, ( i'm plenty strong enough to lift very heavy things if needs must but after huting yourself once you think just because i can do dosent mean i should. ) the idea of lifting 80-100 kg of hevey thing into car, outof car, dragging it across site, dragging it back, lifting it in car then lifting it back out. then theer is the leads as that thing isn't leaving the deck you may need to drag 10-20 mtrs of tangeld cabels about.

the inverter on the other hand has a nice littel case that i can stuff a box of rods and soem gloves in allong with teh welder, wander across the site with that in one had, grinder and extension in the other with helmet on head, or chuck the lot on top of genny and wheel it across in one hit.

as nice as oilcooled is to use...... i've probaly done the job and on the way to the next before you've set up. i have 2 in the workshop that i thought i would use as they are "nicer" allways find i've done the job with the inverter, atm the oilcooleds are being used to wedge a door shut but they are just a pain to move and to good at testing fuses

 

[premmington]

I own two light weight invertors and one towable diesel set.

Plus one oil cooled set which is under my bench at my garage at home. It has sat in the same place for 15years.

Yes I have used it, odd repair job at home.

But never will it ever get moved again till I or it dies!

 

[davidjohnperry]

I've used oil cooled welders got a 3 phase boc transmig it came in the scrap I've used it once or twice just use my inverter for most jobs

 

[BrokenBiker]

that is a tidy looking welder, i was watching a £400 tig from the same seller but he doesnt seem to have any more in. seems to sell a far few welders so i would assume his aftersales would be ok too