Migmate T135 Turbo mig welder thoughts

[hi_tower]

This place sells good quality welding gear.
http://www.r-techwelding.co.uk/index.php
Just bought a tig welder from them,

[PeteIOM]

Ok.. quick one... Sealey welders.. good rep?

Been offered a second hand one at a good price.. previous owner used it for one job and never again.

http://www.tool-supplies.co.uk/sealey-tools.php/cPath/16_196/products_id/3844

[sarran1955]

Hello,

You are getting closer with your Sealy.

From the picture it doesn't seem to have a proper Eurocoupling torch, worth hanging on for.

By the way, don't try transporting your plant with the welding wire reel still in place. If you break the spool carrier you will regret it!!

Cordialement,

[metalmick8y]

As Sarran says, but here is the pertinent bit, HOW CHEAP ?
mike

[PeteIOM]

£100... I said good price.. but to be fair I only judge that on new price. But if its all in working order it would seem worth a punt!

[metalmick8y]

Well if its only done what he says and it works then I would be real inclined to go with it
mike

[sarran1955]

Hello,

From a previous post:

This place sells good quality welding gear.
http://www.r-techwelding.co.uk/index.php

I notice these people have an auto mask at £39, so much easier to use,especially for a beginner.

At this price it will be a fixed tint, T10 ideal for MIG/MAG. (have you found out what that means yet )

You only need variable tint and sensitivity if you are gas welding T5 up to TIG welding T12.

Just to give you an idea, I use a fully aspirated helmet (fan cooling) with all the gizmos, costing €660 a pop,( tax not included), allowing me to weld in confined spaces,doing long runs in position, for about 3 hours a day, every day.

Cordialement,

[metalmick8y]

And the other 5 hours? monsieur
mike

[weldore]

£660 ..you would think they would filter farts out at that price too

[sarran1955]

Ho Ho,

35 hour week, we're French you know!!,

Seriously though, the rest of the time is spent getting the laser cut and rolled pieces to fit ,tacking up, and tutoring youngsters on 'Contrat d'apprentissage', a bit like how apprentiships used to be in the UK.

Oh, and as for the fart filter, thats the one thing you mustn't do: fart then walk backwards

Cordialement,

[weldore]

this is what we use


no matter what way you walk there no getting out of it(makes ya eyes water if curry was consumed the night before )

[metalmick8y]

Thats really good having the apprenticeship deal going, nothing better than teaching someone a craft or skill, good on you
mike

[sarran1955]

Hey...

That looks familiar, ours are Optrel solarmatic, made in Switzerland, chosen because they have a bigger view screen, and come with a spare (detachable)battery pack so I've got one always on charge. My only complaints are battery life (after a year only 2 hours) and very slow charging, overnight NiMh batteries. Maybe the next model will have Lithium ion, with 40 minute charge, (ideal for lunchbreak)

Cordialement

[weldore]

we found with ours the cold weather tends to kill the batteries making you having to unplug from the charger and plug back in to sort of jump start them ..you can get 8 hour ones but they are a bit bulkier..the standard are 5 hours.its the only mask i have used really at both welding companies ive worked for and they are very robust and comfy too(although i think a bit pricey for the hobbyist)

[sarran1955]

nothing better than teaching someone a craft or skill


This will bring us nicely back to the beginning of the thread.

I was very fortunate to have served an army apprentiship, where I was taught by some real masters, techniques that may be no longer fashionable in the laser cut robot machine world, wheeling, joddling, leading, puddling and so on, but so useful now that I have more time to indulge my hobbies.

Even in times of high unemployment, (11% in France), I have never known a skilled metalworker to be out of a job. Our biggest problem is persuading youngsters to come into industrie. Robotic machines are all very well for high volume, but cannot be used for short runs or one off pieces.

At the beginning of this thread I suggested to PeteIOM to see if there are courses offered at the local colleges. Perhaps not much available on the Isle of Man, but the point I am making is that being the proud owner of a welding plant does not make you into an instant welder.

We have recently been producing machines (specialised agricultural equipment for animal feed manipulation) for export to Italy, and had to resort to agency welders. The biggest problem I've had is that although these chaps are reasonably competent, many of them are effectively self taught and so have picked up bad habits, meaning that I have to spend too much time correcting attitudes, and even (I consider) dangerous habits.

Ok, so you don't need a 5 year apprentiship to do simple MIG/MAG work, but the standard I set is to ask the apprentice: would he buy the piece hes has just made.

Working well and working safely are so important, if you've got to spend your working life in production, then it's so much easier if you are the master of your situation.

End of sermon.

Cordialement.