I have bought this Welder opinions please Honest ones.

[TargaMk3]

Hi all been a member for some time and have a crap welder from italy something similar to a hobby sip in other words total waste of time. I did a short course last year at Leeds on welding and fabrication for car restoration, good course too short but at least a push in the right direction (I think).

Right so after persevering for too long with the old crap I bought this today (see pictuire)


simple tech spec as

• 180 Amp output - MIG
• 240V Single Phase Input
• High Duty cycle 35% @ 180amps
• Starts at 30 amps - Ideal for car bodywork
• 160 Amp out - MMA/ARC - 4mm rod capacity
• Infinite control of welding voltage / amperage
• Easy polarity change for gasless wire
• Cooling fan with thermostatic protection
• Industrial quality metal chassis
• Metal wire feed assy giving very smooth welds

• Lightweight and portable only 14KG
• Euro style torch - easy replacement
• Carry handle
• 5KG reel 0.6mm & 0.8mm wire
• Generator friendly - 6KVA recommended
• Package Includes, R-Tech MIG180 MIG Welder, earth lead, 3M MB15 torch, mains cable, gas regulator, owners manual
• MMA lead optional

What I am hoping to hear from you all is that this at least looks like a good buy to do my hobby welding my own cars, motor bike and general small stuff that one needs to weld from time to time. I have a Y sized Argolite bottle from BOC. can I have your opinions please or should I sell it just as quick.
Ian and when I say be honest I mean it, but to all the pros out there I don't need to make a living out of this I am retired. Thanks in anticipation.

 

[daleyd]

I've got the rtech 3 in 1 (similar you yours but does tig as well) and it's been great.

I'm like you in that I'm a hobby welder and don't earn a living from it. Rtech generally have a good rep on here for good customer service, though I haven't had cause to test that myself yet.

I'd say for what you want it to do it will be fine, the ability to change to stick allows you to so thicker stuff if you need.

 

[DrNik]

Rtech cannot be beaten for customer service, the kit does what it says on the tin, what did it cost you ?? If you don't mind me asking

 

[doubleboost]

I had a good bit play with a 250 amp version
Worked well even on aluminium

 

[TargaMk3]

Rtech cannot be beaten for customer service, the kit does what it says on the tin, what did it cost you ?? If you don't mind me asking

I have paid £384 for it with the euro handle and all the bits for gas welding, which I already have but hey spares oh and a full 2 years warranty collect and return.

 

[daleyd]

I have paid £384 for it with the euro handle and all the bits for gas welding, which I already have but hey spares oh and a full 2 years warranty collect and return.

Sounds like a good price to me, you could pay half that amount for some no name buzz box with a 1 year warranty. The acid test will be when you get some "torch time" as our American friends would say.

Keep us up to date on what you think once you get to use it!

 

[TargaMk3]

I should be getting it in the morning 13th. Bad day to weld just think I will set it up on my welding trolley and go back inside just to wait out the day

 

[daleyd]

I should be getting it in the morning 13th. Bad day to weld just think I will set it up on my welding trolley and go back inside just to wait out the day

I didn't realise it's fri 13 the tomorrow. Like you I shall be doing as little as possible, just to be safe

 

[DrNik]

Make sure if something bad happens you do the euro lottery, it's over 100 million, scary, though id share it with you guys lol

 

[BrokenBiker]

I thought the 180 was more around the 450 quid mark. did you buy it direct from r-tech welding?

 

[TargaMk3]

Yes it normally is but it has a small display mark on the casing. so I thought hey that's worth having a bit on my CC, and I get to pay it off over 6 months at 0% interest. I am happy with it so far although I haven't seen it in the metal yet. very positive.

 

[daleyd]

Yes it normally is but it has a small display mark on the casing. so I thought hey that's worth having a bit on my CC, and I get to pay it off over 6 months at 0% interest. I am happy with it so far although I haven't seen it in the metal yet. very positive.

I got mine on the shop soiled deal as well and couldn't even see any marks at all. It really was like new, I'd recommend that to anyone on a budget.

 

[DrNik]

What's the advantage against a big transformer welder, let us know how it welds

 

[Wallace]

I got mine on the shop soiled deal as well and couldn't even see any marks at all. It really was like new, I'd recommend that to anyone on a budget.

I think "shop soiled" is a blanket expression that covers a variety of reasons the item cannot be sold as new stock, the machine may have been sent to a customer, become faulty, replaced and the repaired item sold as shop soiled.

 

[daleyd]

I think "shop soiled" is a blanket expression that covers a variety of reasons the item cannot be sold as new stock, the machine may have been sent to a customer, become faulty, replaced and the repaired item sold as shop soiled.

Yes, agreed but I didn't see any marks on mine at all, it didn't even have a plug on the cable, and no signs of one ever being fitted. I can only assume it was perhaps a display unit they had on their premises? A few other people on here have also said the same. Whatever their reason it makes a tidy saving off new price, and you still get their 2 year warranty.

 

[Shox Dr]

The only downside I see is the 30amp min, that's high for bodywork, esp if you are new to welding.

Other than that, R-tech are tops for customer service

 

[TargaMk3]

I don't think 30 is bad just have to do it right and practise practise practise on thinnish steel plate scraps. There is a fabricators near to me (10 minutes) with a big scrap bin if I don't come too often and take too much he doesn't mind as I also buy my steel from him. I have to agree that R-tech are hot on service, I had received the box and ten miniuts later got an e mail asking was I happy. So going to get stuff done that doesn't involve welding. Thanks to all the have offered their opinions, they are well received.

 

[daleyd]

I don't think 30 is bad just have to do it right and practise practise practise on thinnish steel plate scraps. There is a fabricators near to me (10 minutes) with a big scrap bin if I don't come too often and take too much he doesn't mind as I also buy my steel from him. I have to agree that R-tech are hot on service, I had received the box and ten miniuts later got an e mail asking was I happy. So going to get stuff done that doesn't involve welding. Thanks to all the have offered their opinions, they are well received.

Portamigs are about the only ones in the DIYers budget range I've seen that go down much below 30 amps, they go to 15, but they are a much bigger machine (Transformer based). I think GYS do one as well but that's about £800.