3 in 1 welders

[T0mmyM]

Looking to buy a 3 in 1 welder i have a limit around £700.
I am new to welding so will be learning as i go with info off the forum and youtube videos.
I need a welder mainly for vehicle repairs but would like the option to be able to other small jobs/projects too.
Im looking for a welder around 30 - 170amp preferably with mig tig and arc capabilities.
What are my options? So far i have been shown the ifl i-tech 170 which looks like an awesome bit of kit and comes with most of the goodies i need.. But would like to know what else is out there thats worth a look and within budget.
Thanks in advance for your help
Tom

 

[blenkie1]

Jasic do them 160 and a 200. 5 year warranty.

 

[T0mmyM]

Jasic do them 160 and a 200. 5 year warranty.

Cheers blenkie ill have a search, just not sure whos good and whos not.
Have you heard of ifl?

 

[GrumpyOne]

I would rather have a machine that never broke down than a five year warranty, I just bought a Thermal Arc 181i Fabricator, so good it only needs a two year warranty. £649 from United Welding Supplies.

 

[Jim Davey]

No such thing as never breaks down. That machine gets a 3 year warranty back in the states by the way.

 

[blenkie1]

Cannot rate either machine and never used either make. Just saying look at all the alternatives. Don't know many makers with a 5 year warranty though. Is Jim near you? A good dealer is what you need

 

[daleyd]

A couple of the guys on here have done some reviews on the ifl machine, haven't heard anything bad about them.

I have an rtech 3 in 1 but they don't seem to do my exact model any more. (Mts 210)

Thermal arc would be worth a look if you can get one under your budget, but i wouldn't be fooled into thinking it won't ever break down, they are not much different to any other machine in the same price range. (That's not saying they are bad, just that pretty much everything at that price point will be oriental in origin.)

That 5 year warranty with the jasic would make me seriously consider it as well, though check the small print.

 

[kelvinjouhar]

I bought a Thermal Arc 181 about 18 months ago and I am very pleased with it. It is close to your budget and can be bought from Rapid Welding , which can't be too far from you if you are in Hampshire.

http://www.rapidwelding.com/dynamic/DisplayItem.aspx?c=W1003186&zl=2

 

[T0mmyM]

I have been reading some good reviews on the themaral arc 181i, the jasic also looks ideal too.
I am in Portsmouth and would much prefer to buy from a dealer for ease if any problems do accure.
Silly question but will the 181i and the jasic plug into the mains? As in standard 3 pin house socket, if not will they only run off a generator?
Thanks for replys apreshiate the help

 

[GrumpyOne]

The Thermal Arc came with a three pin plug on it, I chose the 181i after much research, and I decided that buying from a manufacture who had at least thirty years experience was a better bet than one who had only been around for three years. Not saying that the Jasic isn't a good machine, it probably is, I just wanted one with a proven track record regardless of a two or three year warranty.
As I said I would rather have a reliable welder with a two year warranty than one that was never out the shop with a mega year warranty, but that's just my thinking

 

[daleyd]

In the used section on here, maybe worth a look?

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/gys-mig-mma-and-tig-in-one.53188/