I am looking to buy mig for v.w. caddy body repairs

[eddie49]

Well spotted ! That could be a good deal....... If it worked, it would be £500-worth of kit there.

The wirefeed does not work. You need to get the serial number and date of original purchase from the Seller. Then contact R-Tech and check if their 5-year transferrable warranty applies. If so, click the Buy It Now quickly before someone else does !!
R-Tech will collect if from you and fix it for free.

If the warranty does not apply, R-Tech can probably still fix it, and their after-warranty prices are apparently reasonable.
In that case, if you can get there to collect it, it would be worth a punt at £200.

There is a good-quality regulator. Also a couple of auto-dim helmets, which may be in working order.

( The Seller mentions Arc welding worked, but MIG does not because of no wirefeed. Like many inverter welders, the R-Tech 180 can be used as an Arc ( MMA ) welder as well as a MIG welder.)

The gas bottle is probably not the Seller's property to sell?

I wonder why the Seller has not bothered to ask R-Tech to fix it and double the value for him....?

 

[learner]

Well spotted ! That could be a good deal....... If it worked, it would be £500-worth of kit there.

The wirefeed does not work. You need to get the serial number and date of original purchase from the Seller. Then contact R-Tech and check if their 5-year transferrable warranty applies. If so, click the Buy It Now quickly before someone else does !!
R-Tech will collect if from you and fix it for free.

If the warranty does not apply, R-Tech can probably still fix it, and their after-warranty prices are apparently reasonable.
In that case, if you can get there to collect it, it would be worth a punt at £200.

There is a good-quality regulator. Also a couple of auto-dim helmets, which may be in working order.

( The Seller mentions Arc welding worked, but MIG does not because of no wirefeed. Like many inverter welders, the R-Tech 180 can be used as an Arc ( MMA ) welder as well as a MIG welder.)

The gas bottle is probably not the Seller's property to sell?

I wonder why the Seller has not bothered to ask R-Tech to fix it and double the value for him....?

HAVE YOU LOOKED AT THE OTHER ITEMS TO GO WITH IT THE GUY IS GOING ABROAD, I HAVE OFFERED £204 INCLUDING BUYER PROTECT OF ABOUT £9 WILL THIS COME OFF HIS MONEY DOES HE PAY A FEE TO E-BLAG WHAT IF A BOARD IS BAD????, I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE RUST ON WIRE IN HOSE BUT IT IS OFF. THANKS. SHOULD I OFFER FULL PRICE???

 

[learner]

HAVE YOU LOOKED AT THE OTHER ITEMS TO GO WITH IT THE GUY IS GOING ABROAD, I HAVE OFFERED £204 INCLUDING BUYER PROTECT OF ABOUT £9 WILL THIS COME OFF HIS MONEY DOES HE PAY A FEE TO E-BLAG WHAT IF A BOARD IS BAD????, I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE RUST ON WIRE IN HOSE BUT IT IS OFF. THANKS. SHOULD I OFFER FULL PRICE???

NOT GETTING ANY MESSAGES BACK FROM SELLER HAVE TO WAIT 24HRS TO SEE IF HE ACCEPTS OFFER OR BUY AT £239. OR OFFER IN BETWEEN AT SAY £220.

 

[eddie49]

As I said, the key to this deal - a great machine at a bargain price, or an expensive unfixable dud - is the serial number and date of original purchase. You first need to get that information, or at least a photo of the machine's dataplate, from the Seller. Then contact R-Tech. You could mention that you are a member of the same welding Forum as @doubleboost .

Here are details of the R-Tech warranty:

R-Tech 5 Year Warranty and Customer Care Plan for MIG - TIG - ARC - PLASMA

The R-Tech 5 Year Collect and Return warranty care package for MIG, MIG or ARC Welder and Plasma Cutters. No Quibble peace of mind warranty - Buy with confidence.

www.r-techwelding.co.uk

Here is an earlier thread about a successful s/hand R-Tech 180 purchase:

Thread 'Buying an R-Tech 180 on Facebook Marketplace.'

Jan 11, 2025

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.

• Retro Rust
• Replies: 17
• forum: Buying a Welder

A working s/h R-Tech 180 is worth £400 to £500, and can easily be sold on after you have finished with it.
Like any other imported inverter welder, a broken one that is not covered by warranty may be worthless. They are complicated and no data or diagrams are available, so DIY-repair is unlikely. There is often just one large board inside, and replacement parts - if obtainable - often cost more than a new machine. However, R-Tech do offer reasonably-priced repairs.

Not sure about eBay fees nowadays, usually Sellers pay a Listing fee and a Final Value fee, and the Buyer-protection fee goes straight to eBay.

I have mentioned the regulator, and the gas cylinder ( not his to sell? ). The two masks look good, use one and sell the other. The Weldmate 140 AC transformer Arc welder is worth a tenner or two, but with an inverter MIG welder you get the option of Arc welding built-in.

 

[learner]

As I said, the key to this deal - a great machine at a bargain price, or an expensive unfixable dud - is the serial number and date of original purchase. You first need to get that information, or at least a photo of the machine's dataplate, from the Seller. Then contact R-Tech. You could mention that you are a member of the same welding Forum as @doubleboost .

Here are details of the R-Tech warranty:

R-Tech 5 Year Warranty and Customer Care Plan for MIG - TIG - ARC - PLASMA

The R-Tech 5 Year Collect and Return warranty care package for MIG, MIG or ARC Welder and Plasma Cutters. No Quibble peace of mind warranty - Buy with confidence.

www.r-techwelding.co.uk

Here is an earlier thread about a successful s/hand R-Tech 180 purchase:

Thread 'Buying an R-Tech 180 on Facebook Marketplace.'

Jan 11, 2025

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.

• Retro Rust
• Replies: 17
• forum: Buying a Welder

A working s/h R-Tech 180 is worth £400 to £500, and can easily be sold on after you have finished with it.
Like any other imported inverter welder, a broken one that is not covered by warranty may be worthless. They are complicated and no data or diagrams are available, so DIY-repair is unlikely. There is often just one large board inside, and replacement parts - if obtainable - often cost more than a new machine. However, R-Tech do offer reasonably-priced repairs.

Not sure about eBay fees nowadays, usually Sellers pay a Listing fee and a Final Value fee, and the Buyer-protection fee goes straight to eBay.

I have mentioned the regulator, and the gas cylinder ( not his to sell? ). The two masks look good, use one and sell the other. The Weldmate 140 AC transformer Arc welder is worth a tenner or two, but with an inverter MIG welder you get the option of Arc welding built-in.

R-tech 180 mig The seller says it arc welds o.k. does that mean the power side and rectifier/pcb will be o.k. and it is just the wire feed not working, On this site other discussion someone says a fuse at rear inside unit? Any suggestions? Thanks.

 

[eddie49]

If Arc mode is OK, then about 75 percent of the machine is good, but that still leaves lots of unknowns.
The fault could be simple, just something mechanical, or if electronic, maybe it still needs a whole new board.
That other thread which mentioned a "fuse" ( very unlikely.... ) did not get updated so we do not know how it was resolved by R-Tech.

 

[Cobbler]

Just a thought, check that the spool gun switch on the front hasn’t been “switched” that disconnects the wire feed.

 

[learner]

I think it just has normal torch, if the euro torch was removed at machine plug then bridge on machine brass socket holes with short piece of wire should wire motor run then? this would prove if trigger on torch is working or a broken wire to torch.

 

[learner]

Just a thought, check that the spool gun switch on the front hasn’t been “switched” that disconnects the wire feed.

Sorry-Is there a spool gun switch on the front of machine.

 

[Cobbler]

Sorry-Is there a spool gun switch on the front of machine.

There is on mine, there is the MMA switch & along side it a switch marked spool gun, it might not be on all of them, I don’t know.

 

[learner]

If Arc mode is OK, then about 75 percent of the machine is good, but that still leaves lots of unknowns.
The fault could be simple, just something mechanical, or if electronic, maybe it still needs a whole new board.
That other thread which mentioned a "fuse" ( very unlikely.... ) did not get updated so we do not know how it was resolved by R-Tech.

I think I can borrow/he might sell an easycraft 150 is it Awelco sold by mts dublin 20-32v 35-145a with new gasless wire 5kg no gas small reg, what might it be worth? is it any good?
On faceb clarke turbo 150 en mid size cyl new looking reg £110 WHAT THOUGHTS?
Sealey mighty mig 100xt mk2 turbo small cyl/reg £60

 

[eddie49]

The Awelco Easycraft is made in Italy and is a good semi-professional machine. It has 8 voltage steps on a rotary switch, making it easier to find the right power setting. Many cheap machines have only 4 or even just 2 steps. I would guess that it is worth £125.

A Clarke Turbo 150EN is a decent hobby-level choice, they probably sell for £60 to £100. If the regulator is for a "real" gas cylinder, as opposed to a disposable one, then it could be worth the £110 asking price.

The Sealey MightyMIG is more of a starter machine, but it is cheap enough and will do the job at the lowest possible price. You may find that you wish you had the flexibility of a modern inverter MIG, with infinitely-variable voltage output, rather than just 4 steps.

A medium or full-size gas cylinder, if it is Argon Mix and not CO2, will usually not be owned by the Seller, but on rental or returnable against a deposit. The disposable cylinders are a waste of money, you will be lucky to get 5 minutes of welding time from one. There's plenty of advice about this in the Shielding Gas section of the Forum.

 

[learner]

The Awelco Easycraft is made in Italy and is a good semi-professional machine. It has 8 voltage steps on a rotary switch, making it easier to find the right power setting. Many cheap machines have only 4 or even just 2 steps. I would guess that it is worth £125.

A Clarke Turbo 150EN is a decent hobby-level choice, they probably sell for £60 to £100. If the regulator is for a "real" gas cylinder, as opposed to a disposable one, then it could be worth the £110 asking price.

The Sealey MightyMIG is more of a starter machine, but it is cheap enough and will do the job at the lowest possible price. You may find that you wish you had the flexibility of a modern inverter MIG, with infinitely-variable voltage output, rather than just 4 steps.

A medium or full-size gas cylinder, if it is Argon Mix and not CO2, will usually not be owned by the Seller, but on rental or returnable against a deposit. The disposable cylinders are a waste of money, you will be lucky to get 5 minutes of welding time from one. There's plenty of advice about this in the Shielding Gas section of the Forum.

Thanks for early morning reply, The easycraft if it is that model lists at 470 on sale [no stock] 495 full £
Should I be looking to buy a used/new inverter for better fine control, do you have any recommendations what makes/models to look at/avoid for car body.
would it be advisable to buy inverter secondhand.

 

[tom2207]

Thanks for early morning reply, The easycraft if it is that model lists at 470 on sale [no stock] 495 full £
Should I be looking to buy a used/new inverter for better fine control, do you have any recommendations what makes/models to look at/avoid for car body.
would it be advisable to buy inverter secondhand.

I would say its not the welder you buy that will be the limiting factor ,,, its seat time , thats the secret to welding ,,, the best machine in the world can still burn holes , practice and patience is the cure , go to the scrap yard and buy an old car wing to learn on and practice before you start on the car its self .

 

[learner]

I would say its not the welder you buy that will be the limiting factor ,,, its seat time , thats the secret to welding ,,, the best machine in the world can still burn holes , practice and patience is the cure , go to the scrap yard and buy an old car wing to learn on and practice before you start on the car its self .

It is advice on what makes/models to buy, what to avoid I need first, new/used, old type or inverter.

I had paid for an r-tech 180 with extension lead, trolley, weld spray + migmate 100 chip and claw hammer +gas bottle/regulator rods rotary wire brush h/d car jump leads,helmets auto darken,and other welding items, seller withdrew item after I had paid [ebay] relisted 316730685349 now selling r-tech only for £72 more not working.

 

[tom2207]

It is advice on what makes/models to buy, what to avoid I need first, new/used, old type or inverter.

I had paid for an r-tech 180 with extension lead, trolley, weld spray + migmate 100 chip and claw hammer +gas bottle/regulator rods rotary wire brush h/d car jump leads,helmets auto darken,and other welding items, seller withdrew item after I had paid [ebay] relisted 316730685349 now selling r-tech only for £72 more not working.

maybe best you just buy new , with a warranty from someone local . If it looks too good to be true ,, etc etc

 

[learner]

I would say its not the welder you buy that will be the limiting factor ,,, its seat time , thats the secret to welding ,,, the best machine in the world can still burn holes , practice and patience is the cure , go to the scrap yard and buy an old car wing to learn on and practice before you start on the car its self .

I need to buy a welder to practice with. I have gas soldered/brazed/welded/gas axe/stick weld.
I wanted to know what makes/models used/new transformer type or inverter to buy and what makes/models new/used to avoid.
Eddie49 says inverter better for finer control should I look at a low current one for bodywork only and use stick for thick welds.
Is gas mig better weld than gasless and cheaper to run [what do people pay for pub gas] and cheaper than stick, I don't do much over 5-6mm could weave or V out.

 

[eddie49]

I need to buy a welder to practice with.

Any of the three secondhand transformer-based welders that you mentioned in Post #51 would be fine for that. I think the best choice would be the Awelco Easycraft 150, if you can borrow it, test it, use it, and then buy it if it suits you.

It is a shame that the Seller of the R-Tech 180 defaulted on the sale. That would have been a good machine - if R-Tech could fix it under warranty.

I listed some reputable hobby-level inverter brands in Post #19 - BlackLine, StaticArc etc.
As for buying a s/hand inverter, the decision is pretty much the same as when buying a new one. They are complex boxes crammed full of unknown, possibly unreliable, and basically unfixable electronics, so it depends on your attitude to risk.

 

[tom2207]

I need to buy a welder to practice with. I have gas soldered/brazed/welded/gas axe/stick weld.
I wanted to know what makes/models used/new transformer type or inverter to buy and what makes/models new/used to avoid.
Eddie49 says inverter better for finer control should I look at a low current one for bodywork only and use stick for thick welds.
Is gas mig better weld than gasless and cheaper to run [what do people pay for pub gas] and cheaper than stick, I don't do much over 5-6mm could weave or V out.

1 decide if you want a transformer or inverter set
2 decide if you want new or second hand
3 stay away from gasless as they are nasty and you will out grow it in a month
4 decide what your budget is , and allow for gas , reg mask etc unless you own that [ a mask is a topic on its own]
5 go buy what pleases you
6 build a new weld trolley for your new welder and enjoy learning ,,, no one can just hand you the answers on a plate , a lot of the decisions are up to you now , what you value, and what features you want and if you will pay for quality and back up or just buy disposable is all for you and your wallet . Theres a lot of great advise in this thread , and if you do a forum search on '' what new welder to buy '' you will find most of it is repeated time and time again ,,, average it all out and take from it what pearls of wisdom you find ,,,, I have expensive welders and I have cheap welders but most of the finesse in a job is down to the nut on the torch.

 

[Misterg]

Is gas mig better weld than gasless ...

For bodywork: Undoubtedly yes.

...and cheaper to run

Almost certainly not.

and cheaper than stick

Definitely not.

If you go with one of the 'rent free' gas options, your first bottle will cost ~ £100 to £200 with the deposit. Refills are about half that - Find out what is stocked locally (SGS, Adams, Hobbyweld, etc.) and check the options for cost vs bottle size.

I've welded bodywork with pub gas, but Argon/5%CO2 is much nicer.

You will also need ~£50 for a regulator (fitting depends on whose gas you go with).