32 replies to this topic

[DomCr250]

Maybe look for something that uses a Euro style torch too? I use an Enihell 180 mig with a Euro touch conversion and it has alway worked well for me.

If it went wrong I'd go for an inverter, I use a mma 200a inverter with a TIG unit and not only is it small and light it works very well and has infinite adjustment of power.

BOC 'volkszone' deal for gas, if you use a decent amount then it's much cheaper than refilled bottles.

[wezg]

have a look here for an explanation on inverter and transformer welders.

 

http://www.mig-weldi...elder-types.htm

 

..probably better than I can explain it

 

All I know is I wont be going back to a transformer anytime soon

 

Also the Rtech 180 I linked to earlier has the euro style torch and is so smooth 

 

I also have a hobbyweld bottle for my argon gas and an adams gas bottle 

you pay a 1 off deposit on the bottles then refils from then on ...cheaper than a low user with boc or airproducts

 

WEZ

Edited by wezg, 11 January 2017 - 06:01 PM.

[acrowot]

i got a sealey super mig last christmas best welder ive ever had  there is a place in stockport that does the bottles cheap

[Daz1968]

I went for an industrial spec single phase mig, Chinese made but I believe a lot of the branded stuff is. It had a Euro torch and has been very good. In fact our welding engineer at work took a look at it and said it was very well made with heavy duty components. Have had it a long time now and has been reliable and easy to use. Goes from 30-200 amps.
If I had the budget may have gone for a better one but my experience proves that going away from the norm can pay off if you look around. I only paid similar money to new hobby mig. I have both mb15 and mb25 torches dependant what I am doing and have upgraded the drive motor to a much bigger industrial one, this made it much better.
Here are a few pics

Edited by Daz1968, 11 January 2017 - 11:45 PM.

[rally1380]

I went for an industrial spec single phase mig, Chinese made but I believe a lot of the branded stuff is. It had a Euro torch and has been very good. In fact our welding engineer at work took a look at it and said it was very well made with heavy duty components. Have had it a long time now and has been reliable and easy to use. Goes from 30-200 amps.
If I had the budget may have gone for a better one but my experience proves that going away from the norm can pay off if you look around. I only paid similar money to new hobby mig. I have both mb15 and mb25 torches dependant what I am doing and have upgraded the drive motor to a much bigger industrial one, this made it much better.
Here are a few pics

 

 

Is that a windscreen wiper motor driving the wire feed?????

[rally1380]

On the subject of the R-Tech Mig 180, this bloke on Youtube has a few videos up reviewing and testing it.  Certainly worth a watch and the tests he does and pretty brutal and the R-Tech (surprised how small it is) does brilliantly and you can use it for stick welding too.

 

Now, I've never been a fan of the idea of 'stick' welding as it has always seemed a bit agricultural - but this dude gets some beautiful welds with that method.  Think its in the 5th video on the R-Tech.

 

Still not 100% decided and I really need to go and have a look at what my local supplier has to offer as if I ever need spare parts, that is where I would need to go.....but we shall see 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[DomCr250]

I went for an industrial spec single phase mig, Chinese made but I believe a lot of the branded stuff is. It had a Euro torch and has been very good. In fact our welding engineer at work took a look at it and said it was very well made with heavy duty components. Have had it a long time now and has been reliable and easy to use. Goes from 30-200 amps.
If I had the budget may have gone for a better one but my experience proves that going away from the norm can pay off if you look around. I only paid similar money to new hobby mig. I have both mb15 and mb25 torches dependant what I am doing and have upgraded the drive motor to a much bigger industrial one, this made it much better.
Here are a few pics

Daz, is that one of those eBay wire feed units ... seem to range from about £50 to £100 ish?

[venkman]

have a look here for an explanation on inverter and transformer welders.
 
http://www.mig-weldi...elder-types.htm
 
..probably better than I can explain it
 
All I know is I wont be going back to a transformer anytime soon
 
Also the Rtech 180 I linked to earlier has the euro style torch and is so smooth 
 
I also have a hobbyweld bottle for my argon gas and an adams gas bottle 
you pay a 1 off deposit on the bottles then refils from then on ...cheaper than a low user with boc or airproducts
 
WEZ

Thanks for that explains it!!

[jamesquintin]

I have an old MIgmate 150, seems to do the job ok (in there somewhere)

[Daz1968]

The wire feed motor on mine is an industrial one, I never paid for it as got it from a supplier at work.

As for gas I have a hobby weld bottle but have found the hobby deal from boc works out cheaper if you use more than one hobby weld cylinder per year, also my local dealer for hobby weld never has stock

Edited by Daz1968, 12 January 2017 - 06:05 PM.

[GT Jimmy]

i got a sealey super mig last christmas best welder ive ever had  there is a place in stockport that does the bottles cheap

Hiya mate. Where in Stockport do you get your gas?

[acrowot]

savana gas just behind b and q

[GT Jimmy]

savana gas just behind b and q

The b+q near decathlon? Might have a look. Thanks

[acrowot]

thats the one there only in in the morning they do rent free bottles there cheap

[GT Jimmy]

Thanks. I'll have a drive up on monday