ok looking for a mig welder that'll run up to about 5mm (use arc for thick stuff anyways) This is my first tentative steps into the world of mig welding and so far... i think the choice is between the Gys smartmig 162 or the Rtech 180 ... i mean i like the idea of having the extra stick on the rtech (saves my other machine being unpacked everytime i need to use it) but honestly i have no idea about this stuff so was just wondering for about that price where would your more experienced hard earned pennies go?
- Thread starter Ragnahex
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cumbriasteve
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My choice would be...if I already had a decent arc set the GYS but not if I was doing a lot of 5mm, I don't like running any machine flat out all or a lot of the time.
If that was the case I would be considering between portability if required and the choice between a transformer or inverter set, with budget obviously playing it's part in the final choice.
If that was the case I would be considering between portability if required and the choice between a transformer or inverter set, with budget obviously playing it's part in the final choice.
5mm would be rarer (would've probably whacked over to arc by then... old habits die hard) main use would be about 3mm i would think hence going a couple over just to be safer 
. Space is the main problem i have. It's a small space and getting smaller by the day (until i can save lots of pennies to build a larger space......may take a few years) got a little thermal arc 175 for stick that is nice and portable to use in the field (literally i'm a farmer) so the mig wouldn't be moving a great deal or if it would it would go straight into a trailer to location. But as i am a total newb i have no idea really what i should be looking for! I just don't have a great deal of spare funds so about 500 would be max pushing the boat out. Got an old oil cooled arc welder as well if i ever get round to figuring out why it stopped working
. Space is the main problem i have. It's a small space and getting smaller by the day (until i can save lots of pennies to build a larger space......may take a few years) got a little thermal arc 175 for stick that is nice and portable to use in the field (literally i'm a farmer) so the mig wouldn't be moving a great deal or if it would it would go straight into a trailer to location. But as i am a total newb i have no idea really what i should be looking for! I just don't have a great deal of spare funds so about 500 would be max pushing the boat out. Got an old oil cooled arc welder as well if i ever get round to figuring out why it stopped working
cumbriasteve
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For a main use of 3mm then the GYS would suit you fine I am sure and leave you a few £'s in your pocket.
Don't buy one off ebay, try and stay local (now aware of any in my part of Cumbria) which is always better for any after sales support, failing that you won't have to look too far to find a couple of dealers who sell them and are trustworthy...I am not one of them.
Don't buy one off ebay, try and stay local (now aware of any in my part of Cumbria) which is always better for any after sales support, failing that you won't have to look too far to find a couple of dealers who sell them and are trustworthy...I am not one of them.
norlander
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The Easymig 140? MIG and stick, euro torch etc
http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/gys-easymig-140-review.71308/
http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/gys-easymig-140-review.71308/
Inverters give a far superior weld, but a transformer is theoretically more reliable due to its simplicity, welding with an inverter is easier and it produces much nicer looking and cleaner welds so if visuals are important to you then go the inverter route, if appearance is not so important then go the transformer route.
Inverters give stepless power adjustment and appear to use less power for a given weld, particularly with stick, and they weld many different types of rods much easier than a transformer based machine so if you use many types of rods an inverter may be the way to go, if you only weld more traditional rods such as 6013 then a transformer based would suffice.
Inverters give stepless power adjustment and appear to use less power for a given weld, particularly with stick, and they weld many different types of rods much easier than a transformer based machine so if you use many types of rods an inverter may be the way to go, if you only weld more traditional rods such as 6013 then a transformer based would suffice.
cumbriasteve
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Where about's in Cumbria are you, if close enough (Whitehaven) you are welcome to pop in for a coffee and try my mig...see how you get on with it, have a crack etc.
cumbriasteve
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cumbriasteve
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I don't think you will have any problems with either of those machines, all I would suggest is if you decided on the R-Tech then take up the warranty extension after the end of the initial 2 years period, I think it's about £75 for a further 2 years, not really too expensive for peace of mind.
Suppose with the R-tech you could sell your present arc set and recoup some outlay.
The GYS is cheaper though... good luck with the dilemma
Suppose with the R-tech you could sell your present arc set and recoup some outlay.
The GYS is cheaper though... good luck with the dilemma
Because the OP was thinking of an R Tech 180 which has MIG and Arc.
Appyasme1
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If you try Arc-rite Andy would probably come from Heysham and demo the machines he stocks. I understand your travelling problems, there is only one way in and out of Barrow the good old A590.
norlander
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Guys for farm MIG work you need a 180 as a very minimum. Even for stick welding. I grew up welding on the farm with a 180 bantam from a very early age. The bantam spent most of its days there wound full up. And modern farm machinery is usually even heavier than the stuff I worked.
Laurence
Laurence
thanks mrfuzzy that is actually really damn helpful! The main problem i have with the old oil rig (name unknown i may have to clean it up a bit *ahem*) it just stopped one day after sending many joyful electric signals through my hand (that's how you know it's working right?????) but hopefully within the next year or two i will get a building built that i am planning on 3 phase to (we have it for other buildings) but that may take a while. I just wanted a machine to build up a bit of experience with mig on bodywork and some benches etc. Get my eye in with it as i have received 0 training apart from what the old timers taught me with regards to mma (which i quickly forgot thank god) got a few problems that stops me being able to go to classes or the such so i'm quite happy to just bod along learning from my mistakes and practicing many times over 
