New Mig - advice needed

[Rob Booth]

Hi all.

I've been using a Sealey Supermig 185 for the last couple of years, but found that sourcing gas was becoming an issue, as I don't use it very often, nobody would refill my old brewery bottle and I couldn't justify paying to rent a bottle.
I sold the Sealey and bought a cheap Clarke gasless.........big mistake.......couldn't get on with it at all, so sold it on.
Bought a used Snap on (Cebora)130 mig, that takes small bottles, but it's a bit knackered and needs a load of parts, which I'm loathed to buy.......lots of plastic parts in the feed mechanism, which I don't trust.
So......time to look for another.......R-Tec 180 looks good, but reviews seem mixed- also does it need a large bottle?
Looked at GYS, but plastic internals again, so somewhat put off.
Lots of cheap 130-180 amp migs on fleabay etc, but suspect most are rubbish, so......whadd'ya reckon ?

Budget say £500 approx.

Used mostly for light work, 1 - 3mm, maybe some 5mm. 13A supply. Anything structural, I take to a pro.

Cheers

 

[Bravheart]

AFAIK it's the regulator that's different so if you already have a small bottle regulator it'll still work stuck on the new welder hose. There's a on/off valve fitted inside the welder for gas flow.
Bigger deposit paid bottles will be cheaper in the longrun

 

[gaz1]

so heres your old tank with less pressure in it

its better to get a new tank and have it tested or go on a contract with boc or hobbyweld

 

[Tom Orrow L]

Get yourself one of the beauties: https://www.weldingsuppliesdirect.co.uk/welding-equipment/mig-welders/paton-standardmig-160.html

Proper nice bit of kit, well made, easy to use & technical specs that blow the competition in its price bracket out of the water.

 

[Seadog]

Cheapo thin receivers.

 

[Rob Booth]

Get yourself one of the beauties: https://www.weldingsuppliesdirect.co.uk/welding-equipment/mig-welders/paton-standardmig-160.html

Proper nice bit of kit, well made, easy to use & technical specs that blow the competition in its price bracket out of the water.

Looks the part, for sure ! Did I read somewhere about a discount for forum members?

 

[Tom Orrow L]

Looks the part, for sure ! Did I read somewhere about a discount for forum members?

Certainly! There’s WELDINGFORUM5 for 5% discount off your entire order, or alternatively, there’s PATON10 which gives 10% off Paton branded products only

 

[Rob Booth]

Excellent......every little helps !

 

[Munkul]

Once you get a proper size cylinder of argon/co2 mix, 10 litres+, you'll never go back to faffing with small cylinders or pub gas. The difference in cost over time just isn't worth it.