New Arc Welder

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High Guy's

My trusty lincoln inverter has bit the dust, so it's time for a new one. The lincoln was 11 years old, so it's a while since i have bought a welder.

I want an inverter, it doesn't get used much, but when it is used it will be used hard, so I want a good duty cycle. Normally use 2.5 or 3.25mm rods so don't need massive power. Anything thin I use the mig. I did a bit of scratch start tig with the lincoln, but never got on terribly well with it, so not interested in tig ability unless there is a hf start option wih no touch down.

So, what do you guy's suggest, don't want to spend a fortune, but like the Lincoln am only looking to buy once so don't want a chinese cheapy that breaks in 2 minutes and spares look like the stuff that should come out of the back of rocking horses.

 

[Wozzaaah]

What about something like this?
100% duty cycle at 160 amps and a nice robust case.

 

[cumbriasteve]

I have just bought the R-tech 140 amp, very nice machine, comes in a case you can actually fit everything back into and the firm seems to be getting a good name for itself.

Unfortunately I can't give you any idea of durability etc, not used it much and it's for occasional use where its not feasible to hump the MIG around.

If I wanted an arc set for occasional heavy use, personally I would be looking for a good used oil cooled machine, they last for years but obviously not very portable. I once owned a Picarc 180amp and it was a great machine.