thermal arc fabricator 181i? good or bad?

[buhay6]

Hey fellow tuners, I'm in the early stages of my build process and having a lot of panel replacement to do but no welder and no one willing to come do my welding for me. I work a semi repair shop and our part supplies drop off catalogs for us a lot, I noticed the thermal arc fabricator 181i and was wondering if any one had one in their shop? If so is it a good machine? I like all the features and the welder at our shop said it looked like a good machine.
Here's the specifications:

Mig (GMAW) Flux-cord (FCAW) Lift Tig (GTAW) Stick (SMAW)

Rate output:
-180A/23V@23% dutycycle -145A/22.5 V @30% dutycycle
Max open circuit voltage:
62 VDC
Amperage range
10-180A
Wire feed speed:
100-650 IMP (2.5-16.5 m/min)

Cost is 950.00 not including taxes

I'll be getting my safety bonus check from work in February and instead of putting it all into parts I want to buy a welder to replace body panels first.
I've used lincoln and miller welders before with great success and learnt very quickly. In 3 months I went from being a first time welder to being as good as guys that had 3-4 years experience. Boss was so impressed he sent me for my ticket......got to the last weld where I had to fill a 1/2 gap in thin (little over a 16th of an inch thick)galvanized steel pipe in 3 or less pass's and I failed because I left a pin hole gap!
But that was 5 years ago and I haven't welded since.

Link to the welder:
http://victortechnologies.com/thermalarc/products/detailProduct.html?prodID=W1003182

 

[casperfast]

i use a fabricator 210 at work ALOT. and honestly i am a miller fan, but i do love this 210 welder. it is extreemly consistant with the tweaco gun/ lead i have on it. it is easy to set and powerful enough that i will weld 1/2 in or beter with the right prep. that is a good welder at a good price

 

[citymunky]

It's DC tig only so don't expect to weld Alum with it.

 

[casperfast]

on the rare occurence that i DO have to weld alluminum, i use an alluminum spool gun. works well for larger jobs, but nothing small or pretty.

 

[buhay6]

Sweet thanks the info casperfast! I just never heard of the thermal arc brand before. I heard I should be using Tig for body work so that's why I got interested in it, might also build a tub frame for a buggy or something later down the road.

I don't think I'd be doing aluminum welding but its nice to know that you can do it. Whats the differences between the 181i and the 210?

 

[killercolt]

Don't waste your money on that one. Find yourself a cheap MIG welder by itself if you only want to mess with steel. If you get a TIG, make sure it has ac for aluminum too. You will be surprise to see how many time you will use it. Look for a Miller Econotig or a Synchrowave 180. I seen Synchrowave 180 going 650-850. I got my Synchrowave for 1200 with mask, regulators, torch and a big welding tank(250 by itself). I highly recommend a Synchrowave 180-200 series for ease of use, reliability and price.

 

[Ravenous]

I don't think I'd be doing aluminum welding but its nice to know that you can do it. Whats the differences between the 181i and the 210?

I thought the same thing but in hindsight I wish I would of spent the extra few hundred dollars to be able too. Catch cans, custom brackets, intercoolers and pipes, valve covers, and anything you want to keep light weight. Also since you can use some woodworking tools to work with aluminum you can do cuts and designs which would be very expensive and time consuming to do in steel. The extra versatility would be definitely worth your consideration.

Have you considered this? TIG Welder | TIG Welders | TIG Welding ? Eastwood TIG 200 AC/DC Welder

 

[casperfast]

i think you guys are missing the point...... this IS a MIG welder (metalic inert gas) . the wire feeder is internal. it is capable of doing tig and stick....... this is a GREAT welder for body work and pretty much anything upa to 1/4 in steel. they are fast, have good penetration that is easy to dial in and last.

 

[awdtalon4451]

i think you guys are missing the point...... this IS a MIG welder (metalic inert gas) . the wire feeder is internal. it is capable of doing tig and stick....... this is a GREAT welder for body work and pretty much anything upa to 1/4 in steel. they are fast, have good penetration that is easy to dial in and last.

Casper which were you referring to to with this post?

 

[buhay6]

Wow thanks a bunch for all the input guys, I'll have to check out what miller and lincoln have to offer for the price. But mig and tig are a must!! I've been watching reviews of the thermal arc on youtube and everyone's loving them.

Millers WAAAAYY out of my price range.

Aluminum capabilities is of no concern because I can just take it to work and do it there. Litterly have every type of welder with steel and aluminum capabilities.

Thermal arc 181i can weld aluminum:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DLqLg8fZaU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fa9T3eayg-8

I noticed it has a good amount of splatter but that's no biggy. I'll do a review after I complete my body work and a couple other little jobs

 

[EMX5636]

I just picked up an Eastwood for dirt cheap with the warranty, so I'll see how it goes. Thermal Arc is made by Thermadyne who are big into plasmas. I was looking for a TA185 or the new TA186 for AC/DC TIG.

I have heard very good things about the Fabricator line. To the people recommending an older Miller/Lincoln, I agree but they aren't for anyone. I was going to purchase a Precision 185 until I realized they can need up to a 70A breaker. The older transformers are power hungry. Inverters might be a better option for most home users.