I have £750 tops to spend on a mig. I decided on an oxford 240 because it seems like a quality british made machine with good duty cycle. But I then came across the r tech 250 with a better duty cycle than the oxford. Also I came across the nex tig mig that looks the same as r tech so now completely confused! The small downside to the r tech is it doesn't come on a trolley which is a bit of a pain but I could make one. Also the torch on the oxford is 4m and the r tech is 3m. What one of the two would you buy and reasons for doing so?
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cumbriasteve
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Oxford for me because I am old fashioned and like the big heavy lump machines, I also have no need to move it around.
I was looking at used migs but can't find one locally and most on eBay are collection only. I need one soon as I am going to make a railing for my house so thought I will treat myself to a new one. I know the r tech is smaller but it needs a trolley to put the gas on.
That's what I was thinking. I'm hoping if I go for the oxford it will last all my days.
NickyEng
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The transformer Oxfords have a reputation for long term reliability and being virtually bomb proof.
An inverter machine is smaller and lighter but I doubt that the above named inverter would give the extended service life of an Oxford.
An inverter machine is smaller and lighter but I doubt that the above named inverter would give the extended service life of an Oxford.
chevy2
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I run a quite old Lincoln transformer mig and a fairly new Miller inverter tig,
with tig type inverters they have the edge for added functions like AC frequency control that the transformer ones cant offer,
but if my mig went down i'd get another transformer type machine for their simplicity.
with tig type inverters they have the edge for added functions like AC frequency control that the transformer ones cant offer,
but if my mig went down i'd get another transformer type machine for their simplicity.
MoreWellie
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I think the oxford (also 240) might just turn into a family heirloom as it feels that solid and reliable. The R tech is portable and a lot smaller but you would need a trolley to hold it and the bottle so it would take almost as much space. The MMA comment is a valid one but I can imagine it would be tedious to swap between mig and mma for a small job
There are more choices of inverter MIG than R-Tech and MigTig.
http://www.weldequip.com/mig-welders.htm
http://www.warriorwelders.com/warrior-170-inverter-mig-welder/
http://www.weldingdirect.co.uk/cws-best-mig-160i-9211-p.asp
And others.
I went for an inverter because I need to be able to pick the machine up and put it in the car. A 20 litre gas bottle as well is no problem. From my point of view an Oxford type transformer machine would be a hopeless proposition.
Inverter MIGs will leave equivalent transformer machines standing when it comes to duty cycle. It's easier to cool a large aluminium heatsink than a big transformer where you have problems transferring the heat from the core of the transformer to the outside.
http://www.weldequip.com/mig-welders.htm
http://www.warriorwelders.com/warrior-170-inverter-mig-welder/
http://www.weldingdirect.co.uk/cws-best-mig-160i-9211-p.asp
And others.
I went for an inverter because I need to be able to pick the machine up and put it in the car. A 20 litre gas bottle as well is no problem. From my point of view an Oxford type transformer machine would be a hopeless proposition.
Inverter MIGs will leave equivalent transformer machines standing when it comes to duty cycle. It's easier to cool a large aluminium heatsink than a big transformer where you have problems transferring the heat from the core of the transformer to the outside.
NickyEng
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http://www.warriorwelders.com/warrior-170-inverter-mig-welder/
I'll vouch for the warrior mig Inverters , absolutely superb Industrial quality machines built in UK. I have a 250 warrior a and a 350 warrior on order. All machines are built to order 1-2 weeks lead time usually. 3 year warranty and a smashing company to deal with.
I'll vouch for the warrior mig Inverters , absolutely superb Industrial quality machines built in UK. I have a 250 warrior a and a 350 warrior on order. All machines are built to order 1-2 weeks lead time usually. 3 year warranty and a smashing company to deal with.
