Soon to be owner of RTech 181 Mig

[MikeBs]

I’ve been out of action for a while, but the medication is slowly giving me my arms and legs back. I will be glad to get back to messing about in the shed.
In the next couple of weeks I will be pulling the trigger on a new MIG from RTech. I’ve been migging for a few years, but fancy doing a bit of arc as well. Never done arc so looking forward to having a go.
My intention is to get a 200A earth lead with a dinse plug and convert it with a Myking head into an arc welding lead.
Can anyone with a RTech 181 confirm they use the 10/25 size of dinse socket?
Also I’m going to order some 6013 3.2mm rods to practice. This is probably what I’ll use when I come to sticking stuff together and use it in anger. Any makes of rod to avoid?
Finally I will also get some rods for stainless steel. Will these be very different to using 6013 rods?

 

[Mark 2]

Does it not come with arc leads?

 

[MikeBs]

Does it not come with arc leads?

No, they can be added as an optional extra, but I want a screw type head. Also they are a bit pricey compared to other suppliers.

 

[Onthespotwelding]

I have the R-Tech 251 mig.

Earth / arc lead is a 35/50 size plug.

Not sure on the 181 mig though.

Maybe ask rtech and they will sent the complete kit out?

 

[MikeBs]

Just spoken to RTech and the socket is 35/50.
They have also changed the optional arc welding lead to a screw type head. So may get it from them.

 

[Onthespotwelding]

Just spoken to RTech and the socket is 35/50.
They have also changed the optional arc welding lead to a screw type head. So may get it from them.

That’s where I got my arc lead from it’s ok cable is 4m long.

However I didn’t like arc welding at all!

After going through a few packs of rods, I Threw the arc lead back in the box and that’s where it’s stayed ever since.

 

[Richiew]

Stick with it. Arc is very rewarding. Much cheaper to practice with. It's much harder at first, you get quicker, pleasing to the eye results with MIG, obviously. Peelers give their own award once you start getting reasonable.

 

[addjunkie]

That’s where I got my arc lead from it’s ok cable is 4m long.

However I didn’t like arc welding at all!

After going through a few packs of rods, I Threw the arc lead back in the box and that’s where it’s stayed ever since.

I dont do much stick, but once you learn how it stays with you and is extremely useful, as my suitcase machine will run 3.2s from a 13 amp plug on a 50m extension lead no problem.

 

[Onthespotwelding]

I must admit I haven’t tried arc welding with the R-Tech 251 mig, it has built in easy set settings for the rods.

I may have to have another attempt at it soon.