Newbie needs help!!!

[OldWomble]

Hi all
Have been looking at this forum for a whilst now and it looks to be extremely helpful. Its good to see so many knowledgeable people helping others out!

I have a dilemma, I have now sold all my old welding gear and I am looking to start again. This is now just for a bit of DIY work in my small home workshop. I had stick, gas and mig equipment befor and I am fairly competent with all of them but, I have never tried TIG. As this is something I really want to learn, as well as having access to mig & stick, I would like to ask your views/advise on this bit of kit; http://www.migtigarc.co.uk/MIG_Welder/Thermal_Arc_Fabricator_181i/thermal_arc_fabricator_181i.html

Anyone have one? is it any good? I like the abillity to be able to change polarity for all types of welding. What do you guys think?

All the best, Keith.

 

[kelvinjouhar]

I bought this machine about a year ago, having never done any welding before. My philosophy with tools is to buy the best that I can afford, as I believe if you buy cheap, you buy twice.... anyway, I went to Rapidwelding in Southampton, having done a fair bit of online research, and I bought it from the very helpful Andy.

I am sure if you contacted him you would be able to go along and try it out...

It is so simple to use on MIG and I am very pleased with what I have been able to do so far. I have not yet tried TIG or stick, but I will do, in due course. That's what attracted me to this machine - the possibility to learn more than one method. I guess it may not be quite as good as a dedicated TIG machine, but it sounds to me like you are doing welding for the same reasons as me - "DIY work in a small home workshop".

I really don't think you would go wrong with the 181i.... just my opinion, and I have no connections to Rapidwelding. Best of luck whatever you decide to buy.