I'm restoring a classic car. I bought a Clarke 151EN, but I had real trouble with the wire feed. Ended up replacing the feed and getting it working and did manage some welding with it but I'd rather have a machine I've got more confidence in (Am I doing a bad job/got things set up wrong or is it another issue with the wire feed?). Sold the thing (for not much off what I paid for it), and I'm looking to upgrade to a hobby machine in the £500 range.
I quite like the idea of an inverter machine - with continuous adjustment. I've read people say they can be quite smooth and friendly to an amateur. I hated the 1-2, A, B, High Low, (let's check the manual) interface the Clarke had. Also hated the cheap plastic wire feed that was awful quality. (I really don't like the look of the GYS wire feeds).
Things I'd like:
* Good quality wire feed
* Euro torch
* Inverter?
* 13 amp plug
* Good for steel in the 0.8-2mm range, mostly 1.2mm ish.
So I've narrowed it down to a couple of options:
* r-Tech 180, seems well regarded by it's users. Bang on budget at £500. 3 year warranty.
* Lincoln Bester 190c. I think Lincoln is a good brand. Again, seen a few comments that recommend it. Little other info though, no real reviews I can find on the web. £515. Only 2 year warranty.
* Parweld XTM160i. Stretching the budget at £600 (no torch) but I've seen it recommended. 3 year warranty.
* Autostar 160. On budget £505, rebrand of a Jasic which is a good brand. 3 year warranty.
Curious if anyone who's used any of the above machines has an opinion on which would be the best option.
I quite like the idea of an inverter machine - with continuous adjustment. I've read people say they can be quite smooth and friendly to an amateur. I hated the 1-2, A, B, High Low, (let's check the manual) interface the Clarke had. Also hated the cheap plastic wire feed that was awful quality. (I really don't like the look of the GYS wire feeds).
Things I'd like:
* Good quality wire feed
* Euro torch
* Inverter?
* 13 amp plug
* Good for steel in the 0.8-2mm range, mostly 1.2mm ish.
So I've narrowed it down to a couple of options:
* r-Tech 180, seems well regarded by it's users. Bang on budget at £500. 3 year warranty.
* Lincoln Bester 190c. I think Lincoln is a good brand. Again, seen a few comments that recommend it. Little other info though, no real reviews I can find on the web. £515. Only 2 year warranty.
* Parweld XTM160i. Stretching the budget at £600 (no torch) but I've seen it recommended. 3 year warranty.
* Autostar 160. On budget £505, rebrand of a Jasic which is a good brand. 3 year warranty.
Curious if anyone who's used any of the above machines has an opinion on which would be the best option.