I don't think you'll be dissappointed. I've done a few projects with my 185 and loved it. Tested it on everything from 1mm sheet to 1/4" plate and it was easy to set up and produced lovely consistent welds.
My mate borrowed it when his SIP stopped working, and absolutely raved about it. He's got it on long term loan now to weld up his off-roaders and still raves about how good it is.
And Weldequip was really helpful when I bought mine too which made the whole experience even better.
These welder fill an empty niche between £500 and more expensive. Can be a bit of a bungle to easily figure out the right wire speed with them as they'll work smoothly over a bigger range than is really sensible. Comes in handy for learning, and later on when you have the hang makes it easy to fine tune things.
They are nice at welding so the club likes to turn it's efforts to colour. Mine is red (embarrassingly). I would have had yellow but I bought it before that became an option. We're pushing for Sparkey designed graphics on the side now.
i got a red one because the mrs wouldnt notice a red welder swapped for another red welder
swapped the clarke 160 tm for portamig 185 lol never noticed a thing pmsl
These welders are the dogs b*llocks!!!!!!
I just chucked a couple or rust dirty bits of old angle iron on the table and it still welded it lovely, imagine what it will do if I prep the work properly!!!
you can love welding a little too much you know does the welder do the washing & make the tea
infact can you make the tea while welding you need the girlfriend to do the tea and pots while you get back to the welding