Welding equipment advice please

[PaulMcElhinney]

https://migtigarc.co.uk/oxford-mig-welders-34-c.asp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Chris_R]

Hi Phil, No I didn't get the R-Tech unit. I got a Sealey INVMIG200 unit. It does MIG, TIG and MMA. Comes with a 3 metre Eurotorch and a couple of other bits and a useless feeble welding mask.
The Oxford units that Paul posted a link for are excellent units, probably the best "old school" technology units that you can buy and infinitely repairable. But they are bulky and quite heavy. That's fine if you don't need to move them around in a workshop. The Sealey (and the R-Tech) unit is much lighter, more compact and from that point of view easier to utilise.

[DPP]

I bought an Oxford mig welder a few years back and its been great, I only use it occasionally but when Geoff comes over to do some serious welding for me he loves it and he is a professional with 50 years expieriance.

[johnw]

Paul gave me some advice and convinced me TIG instead of MIG. I bought an old school water cooled Oerlikon AC/DC TIG welder used for about £250. It looks very impressive, like it could have been stolen from the science museum. Yes it is a bit of a monster to move, 400kg, but it has some really strong wheels on it. The idea being that the price has bottomed out on these and that I can sell it on one day for more or less what I paid. TIG puts less metal into the weld, so less head and distortion, and it gives a flatter result requiring less finishing. I'm going to be using a large bottle of gas so it should work out quite economical.

[Fishyboy]

Hi,
I am currently thinking of one of the following three units:-

1) R-Tech 180 Amp Portable Inverter Mig Welder (240v) (https://www.r-techwelding.co.uk/mig-wel ... -i-mig180/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)

2) Clarke 160TM MIG welder (https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/mig160tm-welder/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)

3) GYS Smartmig 162 (https://www.premierwelding.com/gys-smar ... ig-package" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;).

At the moment I favor the R-Tech which has the lowest setting 25amp, the highest setting 180amp, a 3m torch, and has a wide range of settings. I'll try to see what's on show at the NEC Classic car show in a few weeks. If anyone has any experience of these machines I would be grateful to hear.
Phil

[PaulMcElhinney]

https://www.weldequip.com/ifl-170-mig.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I bought this machine. Steve at Weldequip is a mine of information, it's well worth speaking to him. I liked the multi process features of the IFL. When using it as a MIG it's every bit as good as Lincolns and Murexes that I've tried. Also look at Portamig (sold by Weldequip.) They're basically the same machines as Oxford. They're all made at a factory in York and just branded differently.

[PaulMcElhinney]

Phil,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3Qb9I03FCk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This guy's youtube videos are so useful. Jody from weldingtipsandtricks. When it comes time to buy shielding gas BOC now do a small bottle of Argoshield light that is much better than those crap disposables and there is no rental involved.

[Fishyboy]

Thanks Paul
I'll take a look at the other options you suggested.
Phil

[Chris_R]

The Sealey folks will also be at the NEC at the entrance of Hall 4. They're bringing a TIG accessory pack along for me. You can also look at the Sealey one.