9 replies to this topic

[rcw]

hi can anyone offer me any advice on which mig welder to buy please ..it will only be used to restore my mini pickup and other minis I have .

[Bdshim]

Clarke 135te seems to be popular I got one myself recently seems to do the job just might require the gas regulator upgrade at somepoint to make it possible for bigger gas bottles

[Alex_B]

Just bought myself an Rtech 180, I looked around at welders for ages, forums and reviews and such and I am yet to find a bad review on an Rtech. It does depend on your budget of course but if you have a bit more to spend I would definitely recommend, only used it a bit at the weekend but it welds very nicely and has a lot of control. Part of my reasoning is also it goes down to 25amps which means you have much better flexibility for welding thinner metal. The clarke and sealey ones were tempting but read some reviews on the wire feeds being a bit cheap and since that was the issue with my last welder I opted for the more expensive option. 

[Homersimpson]

I have a clarke 150 TE and apart from fitting a better torch its been fine and i've restored several cars with it.  While there are undoubtly better machines if you can't get good welds with this then spending a lot more won't yield better results.

 

I found it good on bodywork and it will handle the occassional bit of thicker stuff, for example I used it to weld up my rotiserrie and it coped well.

[rcw]

thanks so much for the info...the clark welders have been on top of my list as the 135 te mig seems  to have good reviews and for 300 0dd pounds is good deal to me I guess I would pay up to 400 if that's whats needed..ive not heard about the retch 180 I shall read up on it ...im also considering buying a spot welder from machine mart as well as a  mig  ..its pricey but it seems very handy bit of kit ..it gets a bit confusing when I got friends who are welders and tell me not to touch Clarke welders etc ...but as I say to them it only needs to weld minis and maybe a bit on my builders  work truck ..they weld all sorts and that's why I understand they  need a singing all dancing bit of kit ..thanks guys .

[rcw]

Just bought myself an Rtech 180, I looked around at welders for ages, forums and reviews and such and I am yet to find a bad review on an Rtech. It does depend on your budget of course but if you have a bit more to spend I would definitely recommend, only used it a bit at the weekend but it welds very nicely and has a lot of control. Part of my reasoning is also it goes down to 25amps which means you have much better flexibility for welding thinner metal. The clarke and sealey ones were tempting but read some reviews on the wire feeds being a bit cheap and since that was the issue with my last welder I opted for the more expensive option. 

 

just looked at the mig you have … it looks like a nice bit of kit ..will look into this more plus they offer finance on It so wont hurt the wallet to much as I have to many things needing money at tho mo! 

[nicklouse]

I just bought one of these to do some stainless work.

 

very impressed. Welders have come on a long way since I bought my first one in 95.

 

https://www.stahlwer...75-ST-IGBT.html

[myredmini]

I use an R-Tech 180 full time in my restoration business and its brilliant, I upgraded from a Clarke 135te. If your budget allows, get the R-Tech, you wont be disappointed! 

[rcw]

im going for the r tech 180 ..didnt know there shop was only 20 mins from me .it looks really good and does alot to .thanks guys 

[Jgguinness]

I have a GYS Smartmig 162, decent torch, wheels and bottle holder at the rear, fantastic little welder and done everything I've asked from it, from restoring Land Rovers, repairing farm machinery, welding brackets etc.  

 

https://www.ebay.co....V0AAOSwvD5Z8END