Paton, Rtech or Lincoln bester

[Jaybeeweld]

As per title, I'm new to any form of welding and I'm after a mig welder. Boiled it down to

Paton pro200
Rtech 181
Lincoln Bester 200

Budget is around 1000 for the machine, gas and accessories so I'm hoping this is doable with these 3 machines.

Really just want to know, from those with experience of these machines, and preferably someone that has experience with at least 2 of them for a comparison, which will be the best for me as a joiner come welder

 

[Richiew]

I bought a Paton 250. Didn't like it. Everyone else seems to rate the brand though. I am still bitter.

 

[metalmatt]

Duty cycle is i think a little low on the Bester but I'm sure I've seen at least one person around here who rates it highly (and duty cycle may or may not be an issue for you dependent on your use, plus it's likely to be a couple hundred quid cheaper than the rtech etc). Customer service is pretty legendary on RTech but I get the impression it's not necessarily any better a machine than others at its price point. Other one you may want to consider is Parweld XTM161i - I've one of their stick machines I rate highly. I get the impression Paton make good but not particularly user friendly boxes but no personal exp.

 

[Jaybeeweld]

I bought a Paton 250. Didn't like it. Everyone else seems to rate the brand though. I am still bitter.

I wouldn't know a good machine from a bad one atm, what didn't you like about it?

 

[Jaybeeweld]

Duty cycle is i think a little low on the Bester but I'm sure I've seen at least one person around here who rates it highly (and duty cycle may or may not be an issue for you dependent on your use, plus it's likely to be a couple hundred quid cheaper than the rtech etc). Customer service is pretty legendary on RTech but I get the impression it's not necessarily any better a machine than others at its price point. Other one you may want to consider is Parweld XTM161i - I've one of their stick machines I rate highly. I get the impression Paton make good but not particularly user friendly boxes but no personal exp.

I'm literally going to be welding the odd bit of 4-6mm flat, 2-3mm box etc twice a month maybe. Table legs and brackets so I'm not sure if a higher duty cycle is a concern but I'm sure it wouldn't hurt to have a machine capable of running longer

 

[Richiew]

Use the search function. Search "Paton" and my username. Probably best getting contemporaneous thoughts rather than me whinging long after the fact.

However. Long story short. I achieved some very nice looking welds with the Paton, for me anyway. I do find it creates a lot of spatter in real world use though, and I struggle to get a pleasing balance between welds and volts. If I was spending my money again, I'd try an R Tech 251. They are expensive for what they are, I think. As it happens, I'm all spent up on MIG welders and very recently tried a cheap one instead, which isn't too bad.

 

[willie.macleod]

The Paton can do pulse MIG/TIG and MMA so that alone puts it well above the others for me. We have a Bester at work and it does what it says on the tin, would do what you need no problem as well but less features than the Paton. Your requirements sound like they could be met with LIDLs finest £69 machine, but if you have the cash I'd go for the Paton, the pulse is really good for any out of position work you might do in the future.

 

[Richiew]

Have a look at post no 2. This is from the vendor of Paton MIGs at the time. That retail company is no longer trading. Someone else is selling them now. Not a glowing report from someone actively trying to sell them.

Post in thread 'Pulse mig'

Dec 18, 2022

Pulse MIG is a wonderful process to use, in my opinion. It really does produce high quality welds on aluminium, providing the settings are correct.

In terms of the Paton’s pulse, it isn’t conventional… it’s a modified pulse that is manually set up and doesn’t provide the same level of results that you would expect from an out and out pulse MIG.

Personally, I’m not a massive fan of the Oxford pulse MIG’s. They produce a decent weld but their setup isn’t the most intuitive. I’d avoid.

What sort of thickness aluminium are you welding? Depending on thickness You might get away with...

• Tom Orrow L

 

[Jaybeeweld]

The Paton can do pulse MIG/TIG and MMA so that alone puts it well above the others for me. We have a Bester at work and it does what it says on the tin, would do what you need no problem as well but less features than the Paton. Your requirements sound like they could be met with LIDLs finest £69 machine, but if you have the cash I'd go for the Paton, the pulse is really good for any out of position work you might do in the future.

Ya see, you're mentioning the word pulse, I've seen it mentioned a few times, what is that?

 

[Richiew]

Not necessary for what you want to achieve. Don't trouble your wallet over it.