torch size

[mike os]

I am doing a few small jobs.. as in small pieces, thin sheet etc & am finding an MB25 a bit clumbersome to get access tight into the corners etc.... now I could tig, but for tacking up at least mig is so much easier (to me at least)

Will I find an MB15 sufficiently better?... not even looked at other torches since I started with my current set & MB25, but think an mb 15 is about the size of a "hobby mig" torch?, ie about half the mb25?

and second Question.... anyone near me got a spare I could try? (cheeky barstuard I know )

and what to avoid..... would probably buy binzel or parweld ergo?

 

[Wozzaaah]

An MB15 is a little bit bigger than a hobby one Mike, it's well worth having one just for occasions like this.
You won't go far wrong with a Parweld Ergo.

 

[mike os]

ah... not just me being a clumsy git then?

has the pro-grip superceded the ergo?

 

[Wozzaaah]

Not sure Mike, I've got an MB25 Ergo and it's a nice enough torch.
That pro-grip looks nice, looks like it's got a rubbery 'soft-feel' coating.
My portamig came with an MB36 Ergo but it's huge and I couldn't get it into the tight areas I was welding at the time so I bought an MB25 Ergo.
I've also got an old Parweld MB15 which came with my Butters so I've got a torch for all occasions.

 

[mike os]

always a bit leery of these "soft touch" coatings...never seems to last very well

 

[Hitch]

I couldn't get on with the MB15 that came with my home welder, first thing i did with it was put a 25 on.

 

[mike os]

for most stuff I agree hitch, not felt the need in the past 6-7 years, but mostly been box, angle etc, larger open stuff...

getting in tight to internal corners with low amps & not getting the weld i want.... maybe I need more practise but it just "feels wrong".... like I know where I want the nozzle but it does not fit....

 

[Lawnmowerboy]

parweld all the way =)

 

[arceyered]

Tweeco no 1

My torch of choice gun would be a tweeco no1
I used them production welding Disco and eagle Chassis
The abuse and codge repairs they stood was amazing.
Piece work you don't have time to mess about 15kg + spool each shift

Happy days:

 

[Robotstar5]

Piece work you don't have time to mess about 15kg + spool each shift

That's why we use 250kg bulkpaks on our production welders

 

[Ed.]

For my normal MIG work I use a tweco #4, which is a big and heavy torch, for ally I use a MB35 which is a bit smaller but for my smaller MIG work I have a small North #1, which it really feels like a tiny toy compared to the other 2, it is extremely light and small but can handle up 180amps. I only use it with 0.6mm wire to get into hard to reach spots.

However if you need to really get into tight and small spots with just the nozzle, Bernard make a range of reduced taper nozzles and tips for pipeline work where you can get into the root of pipes, they are call the "Centerfire" the smallest nozzle I think is about 3/8" in diameter, Part No. BENST-38188 and a small tapered tip to match Part no. BETT-030 0.8MM. they have a matching head assembly for using these bits to convert other brand torches to use their parts. Might be worth checking out.

 

[Paul G]

I bought my Lincoln 210 (S/H) fitted with a tatty 3m long MB15.
I replaced it with a 4m long MB25, both Binzel.

The torch handle is the same, but the lead is thicker and slightly less flexible on the MB25.
The shroud and neck is also thicker and more capable of continuous use on higher settings.

The picture hopefully shows this.

HTH
Cheers,
Paul G

 

[stew]

i had a mb15 on my s/h murex 191, but changed to a mb25 when the 15 got cooked at work. much more up to the job. to be honest a mb15 is only really use for small corners or anything below 120amps id say. my murex 261 at work has a mb25, but when anywhere remotelt near the top end really could do with a mb36!!!

 

[arceyered]

That's why we use 250kg bulkpaks on our production welders

Yea we did to. but what a pain when you got a bad one wire crossed, cut it off put a 15kg on turn your MP3 up, and let he who sits on his **** in red overalls sort it out.
Mind you the empty cardboard case push in at the top made a great seat:
Happy Days

 

[chunkolini]

I have got a 150amp torch, it is easier to use in some circumstances eg in confined corners, but it is on a 4 or 5m hose and becomes a pain. Then again working on a large piece of work it is great to be able to walk around with it.

I reckon it would be worth having access to both. Without the long hose I would probably use the smaller torch most of the time. Mike you are welcome to come and have a play (and a pint).

Chunko'.

 

[Sparkey]

Yea we did to. but what a pain when you got a bad one wire crossed, cut it off put a 15kg on turn your MP3 up, and let he who sits on his **** in red overalls sort it out.
Mind you the empty cardboard case push in at the top made a great seat:
Happy Days

We changed to 15 kg reels last year or summat, stupid thing is they always are empty when you're in a hurry!