slim_boy_fat
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- Thread starter Summerjo
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I have both a Clarke 160EN and an R-Tech 180 mig.
I had the Clarke first and used it gasless before going for a Hobbyweld gas bottle which made welding so much easier.
I got the R-Tech a year or so back and only needed it for the first time two weeks ago. I set it to the recommended settings for the thickness of material and it welded so easily with no adjustment it was silly, it just made getting a good weld easy compared to the Clarke, no messing about with the settings, it just worked.
As a newbie to welding you will find the R-Tech easy to use, a lot easier than the Clarke but thats not to say you can't get good results with the Clarke, you can it's just not as easy.
The R-Tech although more expensive is probably the better value for money, it's more powerful, more adjustability, has a longer warranty and will Arc weld as well.
Regardless of which you choose, proper bottled gas is the way to go but the initial deposit and purchase is pricey if you go rent free like Hobbyweld. My local supplier charges £320 for a 5% Hobbyweld ultra with a refill costing £112, a lot cheaper than disposable bottles.
One thing to remember, the R-Tech needs a 16amp supply but will run on a 13amp just not at full power.
Good luck whichever you choose.
I had the Clarke first and used it gasless before going for a Hobbyweld gas bottle which made welding so much easier.
I got the R-Tech a year or so back and only needed it for the first time two weeks ago. I set it to the recommended settings for the thickness of material and it welded so easily with no adjustment it was silly, it just made getting a good weld easy compared to the Clarke, no messing about with the settings, it just worked.
As a newbie to welding you will find the R-Tech easy to use, a lot easier than the Clarke but thats not to say you can't get good results with the Clarke, you can it's just not as easy.
The R-Tech although more expensive is probably the better value for money, it's more powerful, more adjustability, has a longer warranty and will Arc weld as well.
Regardless of which you choose, proper bottled gas is the way to go but the initial deposit and purchase is pricey if you go rent free like Hobbyweld. My local supplier charges £320 for a 5% Hobbyweld ultra with a refill costing £112, a lot cheaper than disposable bottles.
One thing to remember, the R-Tech needs a 16amp supply but will run on a 13amp just not at full power.
Good luck whichever you choose.
Thanks Sickpup, thats such a great reply, and yet another endorsement for the bigger spend! I had no idea that the gas bottle arrangement was SO EXPENSIVE! 
(£432) Jeepers creepers… is there any way around that? I seriously had not factored in spending that on a bottle. Omg…
(£432) Jeepers creepers… is there any way around that? I seriously had not factored in spending that on a bottle. Omg…
Cobbler
Codger bodger
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Have a look at the Adams Gas website, there is the facility to put in you post code & find nearest supplier, alternatively SGS gas is another supplier who gives a discount on the deposit on the cylinder in the form of a return to members of the forum. £432 is way over the top, I don’t know what cylinder size you were looking at, but you are not setting up a welding factory. Adams gas charge £97 for a 10litre 200 bar cylinder.
Phew… and breathe again! Thanks, I’ll take a look at it later. I don’t know what cylinder size I’ll need. My son has a cinquecento and a couple of multiplas that are his project cars. They need a bit of welding but nothing drastic really. Anyway, thanks for your calming soothing words! I have had a tentative look into gas, was a bit confused by levels of argon etc. What do you use..? Thanks jo
Myles1970
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I think gas cost me €100 odd for deposit on the bottle and €50 per refill.
Also, I've been rocking a clarke welder that I found for sale secondhand in a poor state of repair; €50 purchase price plus about €150 for a new torch, torch liner, and mig wire. A bit erratic at times, but it does the job, and I'd never welded before I got it
Also, I've been rocking a clarke welder that I found for sale secondhand in a poor state of repair; €50 purchase price plus about €150 for a new torch, torch liner, and mig wire. A bit erratic at times, but it does the job, and I'd never welded before I got it
Its £320 for the first bottle including gas, £112 is for each refill. That's for a 20 litre bottle at 300bar.Thanks Sickpup, thats such a great reply, and yet another endorsement for the bigger spend! I had no idea that the gas bottle arrangement was SO EXPENSIVE!
Hobbyweld do a cheaper 9.5 litre at 137bar bottle including gas at £123 and £53 per refill so a lot cheaper but less gas.
I quote Hobbyweld as thats what I use, my local dealer delivers for free as well.
I agree it is a huge amount of money to spend out. Setting up for this is expensive but like all of my tools I offset the cost against not having to pay someone to do the work I need doing, still a massive cost though.
ajlelectronics
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I used a Clarke Turbo 151 for years and it was OK. I clearly wasn't much good at welding, or so I thought until I bought the R-Tech 180. Every time I use it, I am surprised by just how nicely it does its job. Stepless adjustment and repeatable results. You are also paying for backup and customer service, which in my experience is / was top notch. If you can afford the 180, go for it without a moment's hesitation.
Thats such a lovely endorsement. You are right to note the customer service element too; its very reassuring to know that they don’t abandon you once you’ve purchased. We are ‘clearing the decks’ for Wednesday. Decision day! Thanks ajl. Jo
skotl
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This is my son having a go, aged nine!
JOEPRO
Member
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Expensive initial outlay yes. But a good branded MIG welder will also hold its value much better than say a Clarke or similar.
So if he uses it for a couple of years then wants to upgrade or gives up, you will still stand to get say £450 back for the setup.
Roger Williams
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- Teignmouth, Devon
Summerjo, whereabouts in Devon are you ?. Try Parts Service in Marsh Barton , Exeter , seem fair prices to me, or at least they were.I bought the R Tech 180 five years ago , brilliant bit of kit.
We are in Newton Abbot, so not far from Exeter. I’ve just looked at Parts Service and they look like they only sell Sealey welders these days. Thanks for adding to the r-tech recommendation though! Jo
Roger Williams
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Sorry Summerjo , I meant gas prices .
Ahh! Ok. I think despite being somewhat in the outback, we have gas supplies in Newton Abbot! Thank you Roger, the chat has been appreciated.
Cobbler
Codger bodger
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r-tech sell direct I think, they have a good web site & are based in Tewkesbury
Thanks Cobbler, yes, that would be the plan. But we have a little more exploration to do having received a kind invite from dragnet to visit him and try some welders out.
Tom Orrow L
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Can I through the Paton StandardMIG 160 into the mix? Their features, technical specs and build quality blow any machines within its price range out of the water and you get a 5 year UK backed warranty. I know I’m biased but it’s a no brainer, in my opinion 
Yes, you can! We had planned to have decided by now - but a few things happened and we received a kind offer from a group member to meet up and see some Real Life Welders in Action! So we are off to Truro to do just that. Thanks for the recommendation - we will definitely have a look. I do like a 5 year warranty too! But that wouldn’t necessarily be a deal-breaker. But yes… will add it into the consideration pile. Thank you Tom. JoCan I through the Paton StandardMIG 160 into the mix? Their features, technical specs and build quality blow any machines within its price range out of the water and you get a 5 year UK backed warranty. I know I’m biased but it’s a no brainer, in my opinion
Tom… can you plug it into a standard mains electricity supply, or does it need to be hard wired..? Ideally we need to go with the former. Thanks! Jo
