So I thought I would provide some feedback on my eventual choices, for the benefit of others with the same quandary.
I bought an Autostar MIG 160, MB15 torch and a bottle of hobbyweld 5. So far I've done a fair bit of mild steel fabrication, and made a couple of stainless steel exhausts and I...
For mainly automotive work, I'm thinking the mb15 will be fine. Is that the right choice or is the 25 a better bet?
I'm not sure what my old machines at work had when I was an apprentice many moons ago, but my current set up has a fixed torch, so either would be better.
Autostar it is then, especially as an online seller local to me has them on offer at 495 Inc vat, with mb15/25 torch and reg. I can add a lead for the MMA capabilities if I get stuck on anything thicker, and just use stainless wire and argoshield light for the few bits of stainless I need to do...
So I have spent lots of time researching and thinking about this. After all the advice and thoughts, I think I'm going to brave an inverter set, if for no reason other than it can live on a shelf in the garage when not in use, and can be easily moved around my small yard to take it to the work...
So in essence, after speaking to a few suppliers this is exactly what they have all recommended. Buy inverter if you need portability and use it a lot to get your money's worth, as the transformer type will last much longer and are much better for infrequent use.
I'm looking now at the Parweld...
I forgot to mention, it's a gift from someone, that's what sets the budget. I'd probably cough up for a Jasic if it was my money, I just wondered what the main differences to consider were. I think I'm more confused now than when I asked as to which to buy!
That's a touch over budget, I'm really looking at 500 max, ideally closer to 400.
Does the R Tech do lift TIG, or is that only the Bester that has that function. I thought the inverter kits did both.
Any mind bendingly good welders at the 4-500 range? Appreciate this gets asked a lot, but it's...
Looks like a split crowd too :laughing:. Lifting it isn't really an issue, although it makes it easier to tuck away for storage. It never needs to be portable, and I have a proper 32a 1ph supply in my work area.
I do like the infinite control of the inverter, but worry about long term...
Hi guys, I joined up last year after trying to get back into welding after a 15 year break. I used to use big rigs when I was an apprentice, and bought a sealey mightymig 130 a few years back. When I started using it last year, I had loads of problems, and the knowledgeable people here helped me...
Hi guys, wondering if anyone can offer any advice on this. I'm looking for a new MIG, as my sealey mightymig is really on its last legs - getting by for now, but I dont want to throw money at it.
I was set on the R-Tech:
https://www.r-techwelding.co.uk/mig-welder-r-tech-i-mig180/
But this one...
I have done just that, and it's fairly quiet now. More importantly, I'm getting smooth wire feed and my welds are looking decent with good penetration. Finger crossed it will last this job!
Hi all, could someone help me with moving this thread please? I think it's in the right place, but when I tried putting another thread in a more active area (welding machines) it was understandably deleted because it's a duplicate. Is it possible to delete this thread and create a new one...