Buying an R-Tech 180 on Facebook Marketplace.

[Retro Rust]

Can anyone tell me what to look for specificly with the R-tech 180 when going to look at a second hand one, especially if it looks like its had a lot of use?

I'm guessing you want to see wire feed, obviously that it welds and the fan works? (The only problems I think I've read about is the fans).

Might be going to see one tomorrow so thought I'd ask.

 

[chrismac]

Tricky one I would guess, if its been a work horse, its may have been used and abused, it may be fine the day to test it but could fail with in the week or so, or work fine for years,
If it looks in good condition, and works when you view it and the price is right, not much more you can do, if you buy it, its now yours and you ate at gods mercy, apart from know you will have the R-tech back up if needed.
I cant remember the time scale but if its with in warranty period (say 5 years) you can switch ownership to you. I did this with a plasma.

Good luck

 

[Retro Rust]

Thanks for the quick reply! That all makes sense to me. Looks like I missed out on it anyway. Typical facebook marketplace.

I'd buy one new but if I don't take to it I don't want to loose money on it.

 

[Onthespotwelding]

I'd buy one new but if I don't take to it I don't want to loose money on it.

If you’re new to welding the R-Tech 181 mig would be a better bet.

Wait until they are on offer.

Review of it here

 

[Retro Rust]

Well I actually ended up with it! This morning when I messaged and said "still interested if they dont turn up" they said the first buyer wouldn't reply to their messages so, I went and bought it.

I asked to see it working so he plugged it in, I saw the wire feed come through and the unit spark when clammed to a metal table (given nearly everyone arch eye in the process ) . It has 0.9 flux core in at the moment as he struggled with the gas. Ironically he'd bought a synergic welder like the previous post.

For now I stored the Gas bottle upright in my Capri at the bottom of the garden. I'm guessing this is the safest place for it, away from the house and upright? Not sure what Gas it is but let me know if I'm right with this.

Not sure on the age of the unit but I'm guessing its an older one. The seriel number is on the back so I'll try decode that and I've seen PAT test stickers from 2016 and 18 so must have been owned by someone who cared at one point. I was filthy so I've just cleaned it up before putting it away.

It did come with this auto darkening helmet & Gloves but I'll probably buy my own along with other PPE to make sure its all good.

 

[chrismac]

Looks much better after a T-cut!! the welder I mean, hope it does a job for you.

 

[doubleboost]

You would have to be very unlucky to have a problem with a 180 .
I have one at work that gets tortured and abused .

 

[Retro Rust]

Thanks everyone! I'll post in the Mig Welding section I guess about how to get started and then my progress. Progress will be slow as I've got to weld outside and its bloody freezing haha. Thanks for the support on the machine.

 

[eddie49]

Not sure what Gas it is

From the type of connector and the wording on the regulator, the gas is CO2.

 

[JOEPRO]

For now I stored the Gas bottle upright in my Capri at the bottom of the garden. I'm guessing this is the safest place for it, away from the house and upright? Not sure what Gas it is but let me know if I'm right with thts

Welding gases are all inert - non flammable.

So no need to worry about where it's stored. The only issue can be breakage of the gauge if it topples over but that's about it.

 

[JOEPRO]

Considering the external dirt on this welder it is advisable to take the cover off and blow out the internals of any fine metal particles that may have built up over time. Have you got a compressor, air water trap and blow gun?

 

[Retro Rust]

Ahh thats good re non flammable Gasses. My misses will be happy. I feel like I should know some of this after looking at loads of welding vids over the years.

Considering the external dirt on this welder it is advisable to take the cover off and blow out the internals of any fine metal particles that may have built up over time. Have you got a compressor, air water trap and blow gun?

I have not but I can always take it down to my folks, my Dad has a compressor. I'll take it apart anyway and look over the coming days. Would this be caused by Flux Core or Tig ?

Just started a thread in the main Mig forum , I'll put pics in there of projects I make .

 

[JOEPRO]

I have not but I can always take it down to my folks, my Dad has a compressor. I'll take it apart anyway and look over the coming days. Would this be caused by Flux Core or Tig ?

Any welder stored in a workshop or garage can take in metal particles. Mostly grinding dust whereby it's in the air and the welder has a fan on it so it can suck small amounts in and over time this can build up just enough to cause interference. Rare though, but advisable to blow them out every year or two depending on the use levels and environment it is stored within.

 

[chrismac]

Any welder stored in a workshop or garage can take in metal particles. Mostly grinding dust whereby it's in the air and the welder has a fan on it so it can suck small amounts in and over time this can build up just enough to cause interference. Rare though, but advisable to blow them out every year or two depending on the use levels and environment it is stored within.

Good advice,

The metal particles can actually get attracted to magnetic components of circuit boards bridging contacts, had this very senerio at work with a couple of lincoln machines, new board was not cost effective to buy, machines scrapped, from that day on I am paranoid about where my machines sit, they never sit on the floor sucking up dust, and I never direct my grinding towards them either.

Some maintenance manuals stipulate not to blow out machines but use a soft brush, I also give mine a blow out

 

[Beanwood]

Good choice IMHO - Mine was bought from FBMP and has been faultless.
First thing to check though is polarity (IIRC) if you're going to use fluxcore it needs to be +ve earth (SOMEBODY PLEASE CONFIRM). If he's been trying to use fluxcore, with CO2, I don't know where he'd have ended up.
Put some decent ordinary wire in, check the earth is set to -ve, connect the gas up, and set it to run about 8 - 11 litres per minute (You adjust that with the knob on the regulator - but you may already know that), and have a go. Don't forget to turn it off when you finish for the session - it will leak out...
Welding gloves provided are fine, unless they aren't - you'll notice fairly quickly.
Auto helmet - they can be a bit hit or miss - if it works great, if not, buy another.
Read the tutorials at the top of the page
Oh, and clean your steel to start with so you can marvel at your superb welds....

 

[Misterg]

It has 0.9 flux core in at the moment as he struggled with the gas. Ironically he'd bought a synergic welder like the previous post.

For now I stored the Gas bottle upright in my Capri at the bottom of the garden. I'm guessing this is the safest place for it, away from the house and upright? Not sure what Gas it is but let me know if I'm right with this.

It looks like a cellar gas cylinder from a pub. Could be CO2 which will work fine, or it could be a CO2/nitrogen mix which won't work. (Mix may be marked 70/30, 60/40, etc.)

I've got to weld outside

Bear in mind that the slightest breeze will disturb the shielding gas, and you'll get a great big fizzy shower of sparks and a weld that looks like a lump of coke (burning kind, not sniffing kind). It helps to put up some sort of wind break to shelter the work, even in dead calm weather.

 

[jsf55]

If your going too blow it out, make sure you give it time to dry out, circuit boards don't like moisture, i've got the same model, only ever used gas and 0.8 in stainless or mild steel, but welds real nice

 

[Onthespotwelding]

Well done @Retro Rust on buying the welder.

Remember co2 gas burns a bit hotter than a mixed gas.

Now all you need is some metal and lots of practice.

Good luck!