anyone ever used a thermal arc mig?

By ccpi Date 05-21-2011 02:11

I have a Fabricator 250. Excellent machine and once you figure out the balance between tapped settings and wire feed it is as good as any machine (imo) in its class.

I paid around $1,300 or about half price for mine with very little use.

By TRC

Date 05-21-2011 12:31

Hey Tommy, I put a lot of use on a Thermal Arc GTS 190 stick/tig back in the mid 90's, I think they make a very good machine, go for it. Ted

By EMANRESU (*)

Date 05-21-2011 14:49

I see the 250s with fried boards often.

By Cumminsguy71 (*****)

Date 05-22-2011 02:35

You pick up that machine yet? Wish I had something to offer on the thermal arc thing but dont have any experience with them at all.

By ccpi Date 05-22-2011 15:37

I have no information about the control PCB going out on the 250. I bought mine after using one in a shop I worked at. It did a great job for the two years I was there.

For what you would use a 210 class machine for, you could do worse. The next machine for around $900.00 would be the Miller 180. But Compare duty cycles: 135 amps @ 30% for the Miller, or 130Amps 100% for the Thermal Arc. It also looks like the 12 foot Tweco could come in handy. I think the 210 would have plenty of grunt for the money.

A downside could be the fan that runs constantly. It is noisy.

Just my $0.02.

By DaveBoyer (*****)

Date 05-23-2011 03:33 Edited 05-23-2011 03:37

That price sounds good, provided it is a good machine [I don't have any experience with them]. What spool gun is it? I have a 200 amp/60% machine [Airco] and that seems to be plenty of power for .035 short circuit steel and .035/.047 aluminum.

By Tommyjoking (****)

Date 05-24-2011 01:27

Thanks for the input folks, I did not move fast enough, it got sold. It was 140 miles away or I would have got to it sooner.

By Milton Gravitt (***)

Date 05-24-2011 12:56

Here is what I found on Google Tommy.
http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/p-7186-thermal-arc-100047b001.aspx

M.G

By Tommyjoking (****)

Date 05-25-2011 00:50

Thanks Milton

Well it is priced right along the lines of the hobarts, I "feel" the thermal arc may be a better machine just because hobarts are not really hobarts anymore. :cry:

I know I cannot go wrong with a millermatic 200-250. Especially the older ones as they are just bulletproof workhorses...only thing I ever had to fix on a millermatic was a $40 relay. BUT a miller is going for 2k+ right now. Not much diff, but with all the equipment I have on my must have list $500 bux has some swing power! Anyhow thanks for looking up a good price.

Has anyone used any of the newer millers with the autoset crap on it? I got a line on a 251-252? barely used with the digital readouts for $1900......I think I can bring em down to 1600. More then I want to spend used but....if someone has used one hard (have not been out that long) with no funny business...I might have to bite the bullet and try to snag that one.

Welding out stair stringers and landing platforms all stick is getting REALLY old!

By Milton Gravitt (***)

Date 05-25-2011 01:09

Tommy, I think Miller bought Hobart out that was what I was told.

M.G.

By DaveBoyer (*****)

Date 05-25-2011 01:32

Milton, I believe Miller bought out a portion of the Hobart line, but I have not seen any NEW heavy industrial size Hobart units.

By 99205

Date 05-25-2011 03:08

Miller and Hobart are owned by Illinois Tool Works.

By Tommyjoking (****)

Date 05-25-2011 03:29 Edited 05-25-2011 14:14

well fellas I know about the split of Hobart My tig and my beloved portable are both dyed in the wool true Hobart made machines. I reckon I look at it like this the "miller hobarts" are kind of like Gibson and Epiphone....Epiphone (no offense) is the same thing as the Gibson model except it is made from the wood Gibson rejected, cheaper hardware/electronics...and or Gibsons that could not pass quality testing. Nothing wrong with that as I have played a few Epiphones that were gems...but for the most part you get what you pay for. With electronics it is a different situation but it is still cheaper goods in a cheaper package. I really cannot believe that a Hobart Ironman 200-250 is comparable to a Milliermatic 200-250...they have aluminum wire feed rollers for one example....

to put it simply in my humble opinion the Hobart name now is trash.....it is not the same company nor the same goals or ethic.