Which Clarke mig for someone who can't weld after 10 years of trying

Dave S · Jul 22, 2015

Cheers Kent, the offer is appreciated.

I'm hoping to get a go on this portamig by the end of the week. Assuming I'm not completely useless with it, I think I'll be buying either a CWS Best Mig 160i or an R-Tech 180

CWS is a hundred quid cheaper and includes the Stick welding torch

The stick welding torch on the R-Tech is an extra but having read a bit and watched doubleboosts videos I'm pretty sure I'll be getting a machine which is more than capable of anything I'll need it for.

Bearing in mind I'll only be running it on a 13amp household supply, does anyone know how the 2 compare?

(I don't like wasting money but I'm of the school of thought that in 5 years I won't regret spending £100 difference but I could well regret not buying the right one)

But is the R-tech actually better?

daleyd · Jul 22, 2015

i personally wouldn't have thought there is much difference, the rtech may have a few more amps top end but you probably wouldn't run into that off a 13 a supply. Both should comfortably weld what you need, especially if you are prepared to use the stick function as well.

Rtech have a good rep for customer support but the cws machine is also backed by a reputable dealer so you should be ok there.

Kent · Jul 22, 2015

Dave S said:
Cheers Kent, the offer is appreciated.

I'm hoping to get a go on this portamig by the end of the week. Assuming I'm not completely useless with it, I think I'll be buying either a CWS Best Mig 160i or an R-Tech 180

CWS is a hundred quid cheaper and includes the Stick welding torch

The stick welding torch on the R-Tech is an extra but having read a bit and watched doubleboosts videos I'm pretty sure I'll be getting a machine which is more than capable of anything I'll need it for.

Bearing in mind I'll only be running it on a 13amp household supply, does anyone know how the 2 compare?

(I don't like wasting money but I'm of the school of thought that in 5 years I won't regret spending £100 difference but I could well regret not buying the right one)

But is the R-tech actually better?

Its hard to say but I think / guess the portamig will be the best of them although it might lack MMA function, separate stick plant gives the advantage if your set goes busted half way through a job and they don't cost a lot as a new inverter or an old oil cooled can be had for under £100 second hand as money permits. TecArc of York who make the portamig also do what I think is the biggest output 240v MMA plant with 250 amp capability all be it to get that you need to wire in a 32amp to get it. That could offer a whole heap of flexibility burning rods up to 5mm

It depends on 13amp I travel about and sometimes you get a fair bit almost thinking why put in a 16amp upwards other times it can be a pain, make sure you have a good stock of 13amp fuses that's for sure

slim_boy_fat · Jul 22, 2015

Following my post above, I've got my gas supply sorted [BOC Volkszone, very easy to organise and looked like the better deal over Hobbyweld]. Now I need to sort out the wire.

I saw a thread about the 'best' mig wire for mild steel and recall that Lincoln was recommended as being among the best, but I'm b*ggered if I can find the thread again :ashamed:

. Can anyone point me to it as I've tried numerous search criteria......?

I went to weldequip's website but he's presently out of the stuff.....

eSCHEn · Jul 22, 2015

Try rapid pal, they have it.

Edit:

0.8mm - http://www.rapidwelding.com/dynamic/DisplayItem.aspx?c=A18-08&po=A18085P

ukracer · Jul 22, 2015

eSCHEn said:
Try rapid pal, they have it.

Edit:

0.8mm - http://www.rapidwelding.com/dynamic/DisplayItem.aspx?c=A18-08&po=A18085P

I was gonna say thats cheap but I them noticed it was for 5kg's lol Cant find it on 15kg spools though?

eSCHEn · Jul 22, 2015

Not sure if they do them, worth asking them as they're usually pretty helpful.

Kent · Jul 23, 2015

You cant go far wrong with any of the top branded stuff

slim_boy_fat · Jul 23, 2015

Well the R-Tech arrived today, as did my True-Fusion helmet. Still organising wire & gas but my mate brought me a few Gys 6013 2.5mm and 2.mm rods, so it'd have been rude not to have a play

Impressed with the helmet performance compared to the old one I had, and the machine seems good too. Here are my very first attempts at arc welding (please be gentle.... :whistle: