ESAB Rebel multifunction welder

woodrail · Oct 11, 2015

Per the mfgr:

" REBEL TRUTH: Rebel is a true multi-process machine. Welders don’t want a machine that excels at MIG and is just okay when it comes to stick and TIG. They want – and need – the trifecta. That’s why we gave our engineers a challenge: Make a machine that runs MIG, stick, and TIG – without compromise. It was no small order, but if you ask anyone who has tried Rebel, we delivered. You’ll see. "

Thoughts on this? I do not on any kind of welder. I would love to learn for various tasks. Long term, I would love to work with aluminum.

Wood'nMetal · Oct 12, 2015

At a shop I worked at, we had an ESAB Multi-Mig. Mig, stick, TIG and aluminum gun.

The stick/tig portion worked really well, although a bit of a pain to switch over and dial in. The Mig was incredible and the aluminum gun worked pretty well also.

If they've perfected that system, I'd say it's worth a serious look!

stihlntime · Oct 12, 2015

I have a Forney 190 MP that does Mig Tig and Stick. It has auto set digital control. I did a review on here on the welder. Its also a 120/220 volt machine. Can't beat it for under a grand.

Ironhorse74 · Oct 12, 2015

All of the major welding machine companies are coming out with multi-process machines. I have a Lincoln 210MP. It is a really great little MIG welder that can do some TIG and arc. Stick with the major manufacturers and you can't go wrong.

Brad

My Old Tools · Oct 12, 2015

Will it have AC for TIG on aluminum? Continuous HF, lift arc, etc? Or will it be a DC only TIG and stick with a MIG spool gun?

Stuart in MN · Oct 12, 2015

You must have been watching the car shows on Spike TV Sunday morning, they featured that welder on one of the shows.

The one thing I noticed is they said the TIG setup uses a scratch start (where you have to touch the electrode to the piece to start the arc) instead of a high frequency start.

MarkG · Nov 17, 2015

I wish I would have held off on the purchase of my Handler 140-----I'd love to have more power/dual-voltage and multi-process! :S

Kaizen · Nov 17, 2015

If you are going into welding I'd say go for it. if this is hobby or something you want to do for fab work I'd just do a tig. Probably more trial and error to get it looking good then a mig but its the most versatile.
you can do aluminum with an add on spool gun on many mig welders.
if you were doing mostly steel like a car/frame/sheet metal etc mig is good.
doing farm equipment or big stuff outdoors then a stick.

jeepinerdeep · Nov 18, 2015

To the guys asking about AC tig. The info I read said DC scratch start TIG only. I assume it's still true. I'm gonna wait and see how tax return is next year.......

Thumper68 · Nov 18, 2015

I ran it in all 3 phases at FabTech, my LWS will be getting me one to try out in Jan when they come out for a extended test, but after just doing a few beads in each setup I like it a lot and for the list price of around $1800 plus $200 or so for a foot pedal I will be getting one.

By far the best machine in that price range that I got to test.

It even did SS with trimix gas mig very well.

cajunfirehawk · Nov 18, 2015

Been watching this one too since I first saw it advertised...

Superbec · Nov 18, 2015

woodrail said:
Thoughts on this? I do not on any kind of welder. I would love to learn for various tasks. Long term, I would love to work with aluminum.

if you want to get into aluminium welding forget about this, it won't tig alu, and mig or stick aluminium is not as versatile .

miller dynasty 200dx and a welding course is what you need.

this machine, while very nice as all esab welders is maybe suited for a farm or repair truck where space and portability is needed.

Thumper68 · Jan 27, 2016

Got to run this machine for an extended test this morning, and once again I am impressed at how well it does in all three modes.

A couple of the features that I liked The Smig was nice that was the first thing I tested on a 1/4" plate t joint, I was able to pull the gun back so that the wire was sticking out a good 3/4" past the nozzle and it compensated very well, this would be a good feature for tight corners where you can not get the nozzle stuffed in. I tried it in as many postions as I could and was happy with all the welds.

The other thing that stood out to me was the presets, would be a very good thing for the beginning welder.

It also did a excellent job on the stick setting with both 7018 and 6011 the 2 rods I had to choose from, nice smooth arc and easy to control. I did have a few issues with the stinger holder, the grooves are not quite deep enough and the rod wanted to move a bit. An easy fix with a file or with a better holder.

The lift arc dc tig worked okay, not the best I have ever used but not the worst either.
The tig switch can be set in 2 modes where the trigger button can be set so 1 press will turn it on and a 2nd press will turn it off, you can also have it set where you hold the button down, the button is part of the torch and in a good position for holding it while you weld and that is how I would do it for most welding but if you need to hold the torch in some funky way or are running long beads I can see the use for the on and off function.

Per the Factory sales guy you can get the entire set up for around $1800us, that includes all the leads, the machine, and the foot peddle for the tig. My LWS said that he could probably do a bit better when they get some in stock.

There is also a spool gun available.

A couple of other things of note. The user manual is electronically stored in the machine a few clicks of the controls and you have everything there, parts list, recommended settings etc...

The controls themselves were user friendly and easy to use even with gloves on.

Switching from one process to another was easy as well.

This machine is now on my short list.

plumbing101mike · Jun 12, 2016

I have been warned by three people that ESAB multiprocess machines are very erratic to get parts for. One of the guys was a LWS salesman and he told me that it could take 5 days or 5 months to get the replacement part.

A welder that I know said that he had the same trouble with ESAB and had to switch brands.

What have you guys heard about parts/service? What I am being told is that these are overseas machines and somehow that affects the way that ESAB handles the repairs?

92GreenYJ · Jun 13, 2016

I've been fighting the urge to get one of these myself. I'm very happy with my Miller 185 for my MIG work which is most of what I do. I also have a Miller Plasma cutter that I love and an old Lincoln tombstone for the once in a blue moon I need to use it. (Read basically never since I got the MIG) however I want to do some aluminum work on the Jeep coming up and I've seen mixed reviews as far as spool gun use on aluminum is concerned. Just having a hard time plopping down $1,500 (cyber welds price) just to get the extra functionality

cajunfirehawk · Jun 13, 2016

plumbing101mike said:
I have been warned by three people that ESAB multiprocess machines are very erratic to get parts for. One of the guys was a LWS salesman and he told me that it could take 5 days or 5 months to get the replacement part.

A welder that I know said that he had the same trouble with ESAB and had to switch brands.

What have you guys heard about parts/service? What I am being told is that these are overseas machines and somehow that affects the way that ESAB handles the repairs?

So this is your very first post hey...? :dunno:

Gotcha640 · Jun 13, 2016

My neighbor just bought the 215c. He'll be using it in the next couple months to build a roll cage for a car we're putting together, and a grill/smoker.

He's done a few tests with it so far, 1/4 steel and some auto sheet metal, mig and stick, and he's happy with it. He's built armor and bumpers for street legal trucks, and whole chassis for King of the Hammers.

milkovich · Jun 13, 2016

In my personal opinion, I don't have much use for a tig if it's scratch start, DC only.

My "dream" multi-process machine would be MIG and AC/DC tig with HF start and frequency and balance adjustments.

Showkey · Jun 13, 2016

milkovich said:
In my personal opinion, I don't have much use for a tig if it's scratch start, DC only.
.[/QUOT

^^^^^^^^^^^^. +10.

My Old Tools · Jun 13, 2016

If you want TIG, look at the new Lincoln Squarewave 200. It's a lot of machine for the money. I have a Miller 211 but I really would like an AC/DC TIG machine.

plumbing101mike · Jun 17, 2016

cajunfirehawk said:
So this is your very first post hey...?

?

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crab · Jun 18, 2016

I heard that ESAB has been sold to another company. Don't know that it means anything. I have a 250 migmaster that is a fine machine and I really have no plans to switch to anything else, it does everything I'm capable of doing.

coldfoot_luke · Jun 18, 2016

At my plant we just finished renovating out fab shop and as part of that got four of the Rebel 3-function welders, they work great and all the fab shop guys are pretty happy with them so far. With everything hooked up there's a lot of hose and cable you have to tidy up or else it will get in the way, but that's better than three separate machines.

plumbing101mike · Jun 18, 2016

Nice to hear. I have my ears out for somebody fairly local who might let me give theirs a try. My LWS is contacting the rep to see about getting a demo also.

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