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Re: ESAB Rebel 205ic

That's a good welding shop!

Too bad they couldn't get you in a DX today.

That's a solid list.

I would add too that:

The ablility to use the TIG function without a remote. Would make far flung/jobsite TIG welding a bit easier. I realize they make a torch with a remote switch, but I wasn't willing to give up my flex head functionality.

The ability to take advantage of the 4T feature with the foot pedal in TIG mode. For when your in those tough positions that make using the foot pedal hard to use.

Flow through dinse for TIG. That would clean up the front of the machine. And make it so I don't have to constantly take off, and put on, the gas jumper to my torch lead. Or just leave it plugged in where it is vulnerable and clutters up the machine when not in use

HF start for DC TIG (might be different on the 205).

Some DC TIG pules features.

Having the foot pedal control in the stick mode being capable of being set for 0-to set amperage, instead of 0-max amperage.

The ability to name saved welding parameters, or at least note the material thickness.

Front mounted on/off switch.

Front mounted gas purge/wire feed toggle. This is more my problem, since I am not using their cart. I have the machine on a shelf under my welding table and have to pull it out every time I want to use the toggle, change wire spools, or have a look at the MIG parameters chart. To do so I have to also disconnect both the MIG and TIG gas hoses at the back of the machine. I could easily fix this by getting slightly longer gas hoses.

Speaking of. Make the gas connectors more accessible. It's awful hard to get 2 wrenches in the space provided. Especially since I have to crawl under the table to gain access. Single car garage problems right there.

Provide blank-off caps for the gas ports when they are not in use.

A full set of drive rollers for the specific MIG gun they supply with the machine. Mine came with a Spray Master 250 which cannot shoot .052 or 1/16" wire. So why have them come standard with the machine? It would have made more sense to send out a .040-.045 roller set. Also when you order drive rollers from them ($25) they only send one roller, when the machine needs two.

Metal remote cable connectors at the machine and remote.

Provide a blank-off cap for the remote pin connector at the front machine, for when it is not in use.

The deletion of the extra remote jumper when using the MIG gun. It just doesn't make sense why there is an extra jumper, unless it was some kind of work around.

And while we are making a wish list, supplying a more flexible work clamp/electrode holder lead. I appreciate they are rated to 300 amps, but my tendonitis hates that they feel as if they are made of solid wire.

Despite all of that, At this point in time, I still think she's a keeper.

Re: ESAB Rebel 205ic

I took the Rebel back to the welding store and they returned it. I kept everything in near perfect shape and used my own torch, so aside from the wrench marks on the gas fittings, and some dust on the bottom of the pedal you would be hard pressed to know it was used.

I asked them for a Miller Dynasty 210 DX, but they couldn't get one for 3 weeks, and I have a job I'm in the middle of and my house is for sale, so I need to finish it asap, thus that wasn't a workable solution for me.

I went to another LWS (thankful to have two) and they also needed 3 weeks to get a DX, but, they had one in their rental fleet and were willing to loan it to me until mine gets here.

So all said and done, I paid another $1500, but I have the top of the line mature product.

ESAB called me after I sent a video to support showing them the issue to make sure I was taken care of, and I told them I was, so that's good. They asked what they could do to make the unit better and I suggested these things:

1. Make the fan not run until needed, or at least half speed or something. It's full on and loud, or not.

2. Make it firmware updatable. I know most people don't want to play with updates, but if it was updatable I would have kept it knowing that they eventually could have fixed the issues in software.

3. Make the manual not terrible. There was no mention of the vast majority of the settings in the manual at all. Frustrating.

I do hope they mature this into a great setup, but for now, at least compared to the DX, it's pretty green. If you were comparing it to the millermatic 220, it has more settings in that AC frequency can go lower, and other stuff, but I suspect the 220 has a better implementation, at least for now. Comparing to the DX, well it's got WAY less duty cycle, and nowhere near as polished, but then again, it's 40% more cost and you don't get a mig with it.

Re: ESAB Rebel 205ic

Originally Posted by akschu

I bought one of these, but I'll be returning it. There are a number of issues with it:

1. The documentation is pretty much non-existent. There is no manual for it on the web site, and the manual I have doesn't really go over all of the settings and what they do. I was able to figure it out because I have enough welding experience, but at first it wasn't obvious that in the DC pulse settings, the background current is a percentage of the minimum current set for the pedal. I little mention of that in the manual would have been great.

ESAB has a terrible manual game!

I like that you can access a lot of part numbers and set-ups in the machine menu.

I like that they give you a USB loaded with the manual.

But would it kill them to give you a paper hard copy?

There are menu icons, and processes (spotweld) that barely get a mention in the manual. Let alone any information on set-up or use.

A hard copy (besides the one on the inside of the door) of MIG parameters would be nice to have for the shop. It would also be nice if the values were even close.

2. The pulsing acts funny. When I turn it on I can't go below 20pps, but if I tough anything in the pulse menu (not changing, just looking at the settings), then it will go below 20pps. If I set 1pps with 100% background current (10amp) and 50% frequency, it doesn't actually pulse.

I got nothing here, I'm running a 285ic.

3. The fan runs all of the time, and it's LOUD. Even if I'm just doing thin 4130 at 40amps, I need ear plugs because it sounds like a jet taking off.

About 20 minutes ago, I was in the house sitting on the toilet, my machine is out in the garage with the fan running, and I thought DANG that is obnoxious!

It is bar none, the loudest fan in a welding machine (or possibly any machine of its size) that I have ever had the pleasure to work around.

I like that it doesn't come on until you strike and arc.

I wish that you could lay down at least a few tacks before it kicks on.

Or if it must kick on for a mere tack, I wish the fan had thermostat instead of a timer (I think). No mater how much, or how little, welding I do the fan runs for about 5 minutes after no arc.

ESAB if your listening, copy the Miller XMT fan situation. It's on demand only, and after owning this 285, I realize it was pretty darn quite.

Anyone else buy one and like it or dislike it?

Like I said above I purchased a 285ic, but they share a lot of features. There are other things I would change about this machine (like having AC capabilities), but I have never owned a machine that I felt was 100% perfect.

For the most part I'm happy with my ESAB purchse. I've been trying to use it everyday, and put it through it's paces while its still within it's first 100 days. It's on its 68th day in my shop, and as of right now, I think she's gonna be a keeper.

Edited for formatting.

Re: ESAB Rebel 205ic

Contact ESAB directly us_omgmt@esab.com they will facilitate the whole return process for you without much effort. The welding vendor Welding IOC / Indiana Oxygen was refusing to address that the one i got was defective on arrival until ESAB stepped in and is forced them to accept the return.

Re: ESAB Rebel 205ic

I bought one of these, but I'll be returning it. There are a number of issues with it:

1. The documentation is pretty much non-existent. There is no manual for it on the web site, and the manual I have doesn't really go over all of the settings and what they do. I was able to figure it out because I have enough welding experience, but at first it wasn't obvious that in the DC pulse settings, the background current is a percentage of the minimum current set for the pedal. I little mention of that in the manual would have been great.

2. The pulsing acts funny. When I turn it on I can't go below 20pps, but if I tough anything in the pulse menu (not changing, just looking at the settings), then it will go below 20pps. If I set 1pps with 100% background current (10amp) and 50% frequency, it doesn't actually pulse.

3. The fan runs all of the time, and it's LOUD. Even if I'm just doing thin 4130 at 40amps, I need ear plugs because it sounds like a jet taking off.

I'll be talking to the LWS today about exchanging it for a Dynasty 210 DX, which is a whole lot more money, but it's a mature product and I don't expect to have these weird issues with it.

Anyone else buy one and like it or dislike it?

Re: ESAB Rebel 205ic

sMIG us kind of a gimmick

I'm curious as to why you think that?

Re: ESAB Rebel 205ic

Originally Posted by kriskyk

I picked up 215ic and it's been nothing but a nightmare...sMIG us kind of a gimmick eg it's sound great on paper but reality it just doesn't prove useful to me...the machine gets wierd when speed tacking almost like the solenoid is lagging and now it won't run wire consistently in manual mig mode but works fine in sMIG mode....go figure

Your machine must be broken...take it in under warranty. sMIG works very well for short arc up to 1/4. Speed tacking is best in manual mode, no pre or post flow, with burnback set to zero and a lower inductance.

Reset the machine in the interface and start over, It's like a computer.

ESAB has a great warranty on these so take advantage of it if indeed your machine is not right.

Re: ESAB Rebel 205ic

I picked up 215ic and it's been nothing but a nightmare...sMIG us kind of a gimmick eg it's sound great on paper but reality it just doesn't prove useful to me...the machine gets wierd when speed tacking almost like the solenoid is lagging and now it won't run wire consistently in manual mig mode but works fine in sMIG mode....go figure

Re: ESAB Rebel 205ic

Personally I've been watching this machine for quite some time now. The longer it's been a wild card the more leery I have become. Honestly the perfect machine for me, would be the Rebel 205 with just the AC/DC TiG function. I called ESAB tech and although I spoke to someone who was very nice to me, I felt like I got no solid answers (technically speaking). It fits a niche for me when I'm out of town in the trade that I work in. I'd rather have two separate smaller welders rather than one do it all that doesn't. Time will tell, but I'll likely buy one in the next few months if I hear of any honest reviews that are positive. As far as reviews go, I'm talking about someone who is actually using one in the field.

Re: ESAB Rebel 205ic

Looked at it at SEMA for the past two years.

Re: ESAB Rebel 205ic

The posted duty cycles are a bit of a let down. I don't know this machine at all but from my experience the other Rebels have no true duty cycles as far as shutting down, I have tested that many, many times in heat that you could fry eggs on the sidewalk.

I thought the original design was for pulse on both AC and DC? There are many applications having AC pulse is nice, it would definitely be a feature that should have been included. I also like having a purge function for gas setup on the flowmeter but I guess that is old school these days.

Re: ESAB Rebel 205ic

For a single machine to do everything, mostly 3-4mm stuff like handrails, frames etc, it's a pretty attractive proposition, if you're wanting it to fit in a smaller truck or van. Perfect for mobile farm repair work, really. One machine, two smaller bottles of gas, and a generator...

And you still have the option of running 4mm rods for anything heavier.

It's pretty useless for what I personally would need, but I bet it fits the bill fine for some people, and those people will be the ones to buy it.

Re: ESAB Rebel 205ic

Originally Posted by lugweld

There's some glaring faults. No AC pulse. Then, absurdly low duty cycles. They are in denial. Still claiming to be the first Multi-process machine with AC/DC. And they claim "industrial" level design, which clearly doesn't include their duty cycle.

Have you used the 205 unit yet?

Re: ESAB Rebel 205ic

There's some glaring faults. No AC pulse. Then, absurdly low duty cycles. They are in denial. Still claiming to be the first Multi-process machine with AC/DC. And they claim "industrial" level design, which clearly doesn't include their duty cycle.

Re: ESAB Rebel 205ic

I checked with two of my local suppliers last week. One had 2 in stock and the other had 4 in stock.

49 pounds is quite appealing for a portable unit.

Re: ESAB Rebel 205ic

Here is a 215 emp on Ebay for $1100 or make an offer in Buffalo, NY. Might be worth inquiring about for the right person.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/ESAB-055810...01256625&rt=nc

Re: ESAB Rebel 205ic

Yep I emailed them out of curiosity, they said it will be a couple of months before you can order it off their site and get same day shipping.
Tom

Re: ESAB Rebel 205ic

Finally! It appears Baker's has them, their ad states "Orders shipping in the order they are received."

Re: ESAB Rebel 205ic

Originally Posted by FuelieNova

Go to their website and try to order... it says pre-order.
Tom

No thanks, that is more than I am willing to do to find out they actually don’t have it.

Re: ESAB Rebel 205ic

Go to their website and try to order... it says pre-order.
Tom

Re: ESAB Rebel 205ic

Originally Posted by FuelieNova

Nope not yet, I ask them and they said sometime Feb maybe.
Tom

Oh, well then Bakers Gas is being missleading in that add.

Re: ESAB Rebel 205ic

Originally Posted by N2 Welding

As mentioned by lugweld it probably has something to do with how the High Frequency is acting being so crammed into the same Rebel EMP 215ic Chassis and having adequate cooling etc. They'll get it sooner or later or end up refunding the pre sales. From what I understand it is already available though. https://www.bakersgas.com/ESA0558102...waAg1zEALw_wcB

Nope not yet, I ask them and they said sometime Feb maybe.
Tom

Re: ESAB Rebel 205ic

I still don't get it.

All you have these days is an electronic frequency oscillator for HF which from even 25 years ago these were separately packaged units bolted and wired into the enclosure. They obviously play nice with the inverter circuitry on every inverter TIG produced this century.

What's the difference between CC inverter for stick/TIG and CV inverter for MIG? Erm... very freakin little. There have been CC/CV inverters, albeit DC only (due to demand from construction/fabrication industry) around for 25-30 years.

When in CC mode, it operates just like all the other inverter TIGs on the market, who have managed to make AC/DC inverters with HF work just fine.... hmm.... And when in CV mode (using an extra feedback loop to regulate voltage) you don't need HF. I sincerely doubt that a HF unit is going to kill a feedback loop that isn't even in operation when the HF is.
The rest of the MIG gubbins are neither here or there. It's a DC motor that pushes wire, and a voltage regulator for it. HF won't affect it.

My best guess is that they have cheaped out on buying the main inverter drives and their unreliability is coming back to bite them in the ***.

Re: ESAB Rebel 205ic

As mentioned by lugweld it probably has something to do with how the High Frequency is acting being so crammed into the same Rebel EMP 215ic Chassis and having adequate cooling etc. They'll get it sooner or later or end up refunding the pre sales. From what I understand it is already available though. https://www.bakersgas.com/ESA0558102...waAg1zEALw_wcB

Re: ESAB Rebel 205ic

So I'm not being a dick but you guys figured it out, Miller figured it out and it wouldn't surprise me if Lincoln has something in the works.
It just seems like Esab has been building welders long enough that their engineering shouldn't be this far behind others....
Tom