Any alternatives to this welder

[Alex Wilson]

I'm new to this forum, hello!

I'm going to be buying a Portamig 165 or a 186s, I'm only going to be using it for my Land Rover Discovery, body repairs only hopefully!

My question is... Are there any welders that are a good alternative or better to your knowledge

My budget is around the £600 Mark, I already have gas and helmet

The reason for my choice is the 15 Amps minimum, is this too low?

Thanks

 

[cumbriasteve]

Welcome to the forum:

We had a very similar question this week regarding the same machine so worth a browse of that for a starter.

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/decision-help-on-new-welder-please.77587/

I am unsure if there is any 'better' at that price, I am sure though other's will have a different preference and because of what seems to be a winning back up service R-Tech will be one of them, GYS are also well liked and there is a supplier active on the forum who can be trusted, as well as a couple of other brand sellers.

Some machines within that price range will also allow you to do MMA and TIG, functions well worth considering and probably one that could sway my decision.

It would be nice to try the different brands, not an opportunity many of us get and if I was buying a machine today I would struggle between the three mentioned with a very small leaning towards R-Tech and GYS but I can't really put my finger on why but probably because of some of the replies to the thread mentioned above.

 

[Alex Wilson]

Welcome to the forum:

We had a very similar question this week regarding the same machine so worth a browse of that for a starter.

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/decision-help-on-new-welder-please.77587/

I am unsure if there is any 'better' at that price, I am sure though other's will have a different preference and because of what seems to be a winning back up service R-Tech will be one of them, GYS are also well liked and there is a supplier active on the forum who can be trusted, as well as a couple of other brand sellers.

Some machines within that price range will also allow you to do MMA and TIG, functions well worth considering and probably one that could sway my decision.

It would be nice to try the different brands, not an opportunity many of us get and if I was buying a machine today I would struggle between the three mentioned with a very small leaning towards R-Tech and GYS but I can't really put my finger on why but probably because of some of the replies to the thread mentioned above.

Thank yo

Welcome to the forum:

We had a very similar question this week regarding the same machine so worth a browse of that for a starter.

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/decision-help-on-new-welder-please.77587/

I am unsure if there is any 'better' at that price, I am sure though other's will have a different preference and because of what seems to be a winning back up service R-Tech will be one of them, GYS are also well liked and there is a supplier active on the forum who can be trusted, as well as a couple of other brand sellers.

Some machines within that price range will also allow you to do MMA and TIG, functions well worth considering and probably one that could sway my decision.



It would be nice to try the different brands, not an opportunity many of us get and if I was buying a machine today I would struggle between the three mentioned with a very small leaning towards R-Tech and GYS but I can't really put my finger on why but probably because of some of the replies to the thread mentioned above.

Thank you for your in depth reply, sorry I'm just replying I was out when i got your answer.

1 of the welders that I was looking at was the R tech ones, the online video review was very informative and it looks like a great machine, I do like the idea off stick and tig Welding available if needed.

Are there going to be parts available for the next 5-10 years because the Oxford and Portamig are 20 years

Thanks again

 

[cumbriasteve]

Thank yo


Thank you for your in depth reply, sorry I'm just replying I was out when i got your answer.

1 of the welders that I was looking at was the R tech ones, the online video review was very informative and it looks like a great machine, I do like the idea off stick and tig Welding available if needed.

Are there going to be parts available for the next 5-10 years because the Oxford and Portamig are 20 years

Thanks again

I don't think there will be any issue with parts but I don't know much about electronics, R-Tech also offer a warranty extension for a further two years when the original expires, think it's about £70 ish which when you think about it is little to pay for peace of mind.

Doubleboost who is a long term member here does a few R-Tech reviews on you tube, I am unsure of the arrangement he has with them, perhaps they are brave enough to lend him machines for reviews or perhaps they are his own machines, what I do believe is if they were rubbish he would say so.