Need advice on welding machine purchase

[ArtMech]

I'm not sure if you guys use this kind of equipment much in N. America. If yes, I'd be thankful to get an advice.
I'm about to decide to buy a new portable welding machine Kemppi Minarc 150 from a local dealer with 2 years warranty. I know it's an older version, but I think it could satisfy my episodic weld needs. Dealer can sell it for $458 ex VAT.

Buy Kemppi Minarc 150 Arc Welder with Leads, 240v - Welding Supplies from Rapid Welding
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HL6Ix_sfLoI

Is that a good deal?

 

[Shield Arc]

Have you done much welding? Reason I ask, a machine with adjustable hot start can really help someone new to welding start the arc. Also a machine with adjustable arc force is really nice too.
Before buying I would ask if that machine can run 6010. But there is nothing in the world wrong with 6011 either.

 

[ArtMech]

Have you done much welding? Reason I ask, a machine with adjustable hot start can really help someone new to welding start the arc. Also a machine with adjustable arc force is really nice too.
Before buying I would ask if that machine can run 6010. But there is nothing in the world wrong with 6011 either.

No, I tried to weld two times in my life - 30 years ago and today at a dealer. :confused2: I was convinced by my friend it's easy to learn to do it with modern equipment. I don't trust him, I think to do this job PERFECTLY is as difficult as any other. But that doesn't scare me.

Dealer said they have some different electrodes to soften the start of arc. Don't know what exactly that means. But again, I'm familiar with this feature.

6010 or 6011 - is that different electrodes to apply required flux composition? Why shouldn't a machine run both of them? I'll ask them.

Thank you for answer.

 

[Shield Arc]

A lot of the little inverter welders will not run 6010. I can't say I've heard of one that will not run 6011. 6011 has additives in the flux so it can be run on AC only welding machines. .

 

[ArtMech]

A lot of the little inverter welders will not run 6010. I can't say I've heard of one that will not run 6011. 6011 has additives in the flux so it can be run on AC only welding machines. .

Dealer technician confirmed it'll run both. He added they use 6012, 6013 either in some cases, but not bellow 0C (32F).
All that I'll need to learn :reading:.

Thanks again.

 

[Shield Arc]

6013 is used through out Europe for hight pressure pipe welding. Here in the USA 6013 is mostly used for sheet metal welding. ESAB makes some of the best welding consumables on the planet! :thumbsup:

 

[Brad_Blazer]

The price seems high compared to this Miller at the same web site assuming you can get a similar discount. : Buy Miller 160Si DC MMA Inverter Package with Cable Set, 230v - Welding Supplies from Rapid Welding


Perusing a little more this Thermal Arc looks like a much better deal at about $300USD: Buy Thermal Arc ArcMaster 175 SE Arc Welding Inverter Package 230v CE - Welding Supplies from Rapid Welding

If you can burn up to 1/8 inch (3mm) electrodes with a decent duty cycle you can weld just about anything made of steel.

 

[ArtMech]

6013 is used through out Europe for hight pressure pipe welding. Here in the USA 6013 is mostly used for sheet metal welding. ESAB makes some of the best welding consumables on the planet! :thumbsup:

Good idea, ESAB dealer located close to my home. I'll check them out.

 

[muddstopper]

The price seems high compared to this Miller at the same web site assuming you can get a similar discount. : Buy Miller 160Si DC MMA Inverter Package with Cable Set, 230v - Welding Supplies from Rapid Welding


Perusing a little more this Thermal Arc looks like a much better deal at about $300USD: Buy Thermal Arc ArcMaster 175 SE Arc Welding Inverter Package 230v CE - Welding Supplies from Rapid Welding

If you can burn up to 1/8 inch (3mm) electrodes with a decent duty cycle you can weld just about anything made of steel.

I am not 100% sure on this, but I believe Kemppi is a leader in welding machines overseas. On par with Miller and Lincoln. They have been making welding machines since right after WW2. Not saying its a better machine than Miller or anybody else, but Kemppi is not some cheap company passing off someone elses technology.

 

[ArtMech]

The price seems high compared to this Miller at the same web site assuming you can get a similar discount. : Buy Miller 160Si DC MMA Inverter Package with Cable Set, 230v - Welding Supplies from Rapid Welding


Perusing a little more this Thermal Arc looks like a much better deal at about $300USD: Buy Thermal Arc ArcMaster 175 SE Arc Welding Inverter Package 230v CE - Welding Supplies from Rapid Welding

If you can burn up to 1/8 inch (3mm) electrodes with a decent duty cycle you can weld just about anything made of steel.

Finnish company Kemppi has the best reputation among the welding machine manufacturers in my location, that's why I'm looking at it.
But you're right, it could be the emotions only, which should not be closed to one direction.

 

[Brad_Blazer]

That makes me feel better about the Kemppi.

If it was me and I was set on that brand it would be a tough decision whether or not to upgrade to the 180 EVO if it's priced only 25% higher.

 

[ArtMech]

That makes me feel better about the Kemppi.

If it was me and I was set on that brand it would be a tough decision whether or not to upgrade to the 180 EVO if it's priced only 25% higher.

Yeah, I'm looking at both and thinking...
Just thought for me as for beginner Minarc 150 would be enough. I'm afraid if I will not overload 220V input power supply with Minarc EVO 180, which is more powerful than Minarc 150. Although they declare EVO 180 uses technology PFC, which reduces impact into input power supply by 30%.
http://www.tonolini.it/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/MINARC-EVO-180_en.pdf

Today I've visited dealer who sells Lincoln. Got a proposal on Invertec 170S, assembled in Poland. With some discount (both cables included) they can sell it for $767, exactly the same price like EVO 180 costs.

Anyway, no decision yet.

 

[muddstopper]

I am just going to assme this is a DC welding machine since it mentions scratch start tig. I couldnt tell much from the brochure. Anyways, I used a 125amp DC machine for years and made many a project using 1/8in 7018 rods at 105 amps. My machine didnt like 3/16 rods. Kind of wish I had that old machine back. With 1/8 in rods, you probably wont every go over 120 amps. I guess what I am trying to say is the 150amp Kemppi should weld most anything you need to weld as a hobbiest. Unless you really think you will have a need for the extra power of a bigger machine and plan on welding using anything bigger 1/8 rods, I would stick with the 150 amp machine. I will admitt that there where times I wish I had more power, when working with 3/4 and 1 in steel, but for the normal farm equipment and utility trailer builds, I never had a problem with the 125amp machine

 

[Big Barn]

With the exception of miniskirts, I've never been partial to anything "mini'.

If funds allow, I'd purchase the EVO180.

Terry

 

[ArtMech]

This is an example I'm now working on. I've just obtained a forklift which I'm going to adapt to my tractor. All is good, machine shop guys have welded the supports (according to my drawings) so they would fit the lift arms of a tractor. But the top link bracket on a forklift is a little bit complicated. You need to find a correct point for the top link on a forklift. Tomorrow I'll bring them that bracket already third time to correct, what means I'm wasting my time and money.
If I'd have a welder, I'd do it myself. I guess for this job EVO 180 would be necessary.


muddstopper, both welders are using 220 V, 50 Hz of AC power supply.

Big Barn, I love your exception. :thumbsup:

Thank you fellows for the advices if even they are controversial.

 

[jack707]

I would buy either Lincoln or miller

 

[Big Barn]

I would buy either Lincoln or miller

Keep in mind the OP is in Europe. If we had a better sales/service network in N America I'd consider trying the Kemppi.

Terry

 

[Arc weld]

I'd say it sounds like DC welding output with AC power supply. 105 amps is too low for 1/8" 7018. Maybe for vertical up but generally they run best around 130 amps. Of course a 150 amp machine won't like 3/16", your jumping right past 5/32" which is border line for 7018 at 150 amps.

 

[muddstopper]

I know all the charts say 105 amps is to low for 1/8 7018, but that old Lincoln ac/dc machine would start producing undercuts at 110-115 amps and would turn the rod cherry red at 125 amps. May have been because it was plugged into a 60amp service, other than that I cant explain it.

 

[Big Barn]

I know all the charts say 105 amps is to low for 1/8 7018, but that old Lincoln ac/dc machine would start producing undercuts at 110-115 amps and would turn the rod cherry red at 125 amps. May have been because it was plugged into a 60amp service, other than that I cant explain it.

I'm currently restoring an Idealarc 250/250. Maybe the dial/pointer mechanism was out of adjustment??



When I reassemble mine I'll probably put in "in the middle" and see how it goes.

Terry