New MIG machine!

[Snakepottery]

Hi all,

New to the forum and have already found a wealth of useful information! But I am in the throws of buying a new MIG machine which will be used for car body work repairs etc. I have a 1967 MGB GT which I restored 16 years ago but now needs a little more work. I used a cheapo Clarke or maybe a SIP, cant remember, but I do know it was a real pain in the a*se with poor wire feed and consistency.
Now, I'm a crap welder so need all the help I can get from the machine to do anywhere near a decent job, so this time I'm getting a (hopefully) decent machine.

I'm looking at the R-Tech 180a MIG/MMA machine, mainly cos it has a good report from you all and also the company is just up the road from where I live so can go and try one.

What do you all think? A good choice, or is there something as good but cheaper? The R-Tech is at the top of my budget but will also take advantage of their 0% 12 months deal.

Of course I will need to factor in gas, I work in a school and we have an account for our Oxy/Acetylene gas we use so I'm going to try to persuade the boss to pay for the Argoshield if I teach the kids mig welding! May fail but if you dont ask....

I'll be interested in your thoughts! No doubt I'll be a regular contributor asking for help when I discover that even with a decent machine my welds are ****e!!

Cheers

Snakey

 

[eSCHEn]

Howdy fella

There's a few at that money (Gys do a well regarded one for example) but if I was you I would stick with your plan as to me it sounds a good one!

Never underestimate the value of having your supplier geographically close and they're a helpful lot by all accounts so it will serve you very well having them close

 

[Bigjoe]

Probably worth going along and having a chat with them, they may even let you have a play with the machine

 

[rikrobson]

you wont be disappointed with the r-tech

 

[windingroads]

Hi Snakepottery

I don't think you could go wrong with the R-Tech 180, you have the two year collect and delivery guarantee.
The package contains all you need to get started, a torch, regulator earth lead, and stick welding lead,
and as far as I make out free delivery.
According to the experts, 0.8 mm mild steel should weld between 40-55 amp to weld, the R-Tech can go as
as low as 30 so you should be covered. If you use a gas with argon @25 to even 75 percent you will
have a smoother weld finish with less spatters and also less penetration so less holes to re weld.

I would buy the larger R-Tech for myself, but because am outside the UK, I loose the two year collection
warranty.
Regards, john

 

[Snakepottery]

Thanks all for your helpful replies. Sounds like this is the baby to go for. I'll pop up to see them soon and have a look and they are also happy to let me loose on one!
I'll let you know how I get on once it is safely in my workshop!

Cheers

Snaky

 

[windingroads]

Here is another serious contender, its also a cheaper option
that is big enough to do what you want to and more.
https://www.weldequip.com/gys-smartmig-162.htm 378.00 inc VAT, all in.

It also has wheels so is much easier to move, no carrying, just strap your bottle
on the back or tie your bottle to a wall and extend the gas lead to bottle.
If you do add a longer gas lead, put another one that will fit over the top of it for
protection against sparks and rubbing on the floor or catching on things.

Other option is to string a close-line from wall to wall up at ceiling level
and use cable ties to loop the extended gas lead to it, loosely, that way you can
slide it out to where you want to weld and wont need to worry tearing it off the
ground or what ever it decides to get tangled in, I would still wrap the end next
the welder for a bit to keep sparks at bay, just ensure to tape the ends of the
wrap closed so no sparks or anything else get in to do damage.
Depending on how you work, you may need none of the above apparatus.

Regards, john

 

[rikrobson]

My r-tech 250 is lighter than the older cebora 130 or Clark 100 en I have

 

[Snakepottery]

Thanks Windingroads, I looked at that and thought it looked good. I shall investigate both.

Cheers

 

[rikrobson]

Just to throw into the mix CWS do a 160 inverter mig, they're just down the road from you too.