Discussion
Speak to R-Tech, not only do they have a great range, they are true Petrolheads - they supported Andy Frost on his 5 second Streel Legal Drag car.....
https://www.r-techwelding.co.uk/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csnqSLA5TAw&fb...
https://www.r-techwelding.co.uk/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csnqSLA5TAw&fb...
Give rtech a ring, their sales people are very helpful with advice ,not at all pushy.
My Migatronic MIG packed up after only 38 years , tbh the parts to repair were a significant amount ,so man maths took over and a new MIG ordered , arrived next day ,I'm an IOM resident.
The machine is so much lighter than the old one, welds really well , very pleased with the purchase .
The company has an enviable reputation for no nonsence service and warranty in the welding community which finally swung the deal.
My Migatronic MIG packed up after only 38 years , tbh the parts to repair were a significant amount ,so man maths took over and a new MIG ordered , arrived next day ,I'm an IOM resident.
The machine is so much lighter than the old one, welds really well , very pleased with the purchase .
The company has an enviable reputation for no nonsence service and warranty in the welding community which finally swung the deal.
I needed a MIG for a classic car build, lots of 1.5mm steel panel work plus some heavy bits. I've got an oxy rig and an old stick welder but the time had come to get something that you could control the heat with to avoid distortion. After reading loads of advice on the mig-welding forum and watching 'tube I decided on an Uptime MIG160.
Mig welder cost £163.99, Amazon 5kg wire £8, Helmet £25, Gloves £10. Hobbyweld 5% bottle, regulator and bottle deposit £140, trolley £40. All in for just under £400.
I started using it last week and I'm impressed, superb welds with no splatter at 8lpm gas, wire feed is fantastic, euro torch, inductance control, pre-gas and run-on gas when you release the trigger, will weld down to 20A for thin stuff. It comes with a stick welding handle and will switch to MMA for the big stuff. I think I could also convert it to TIG if I wanted with a bottle of Argon. The only advice I would give is to buy the 16A connector version and get a 16A to 13A adaptor from B&Q or Screwfix if you can wire your own. The 13A version they supply either comes with a Chinese fuse (copper bar!) or no fuse at all from what others have said.
The supplier, uptimewelding in Aberdeen, are crap at communication. Don't panic, after about 7 days DHL send you a shipping message.
I normally avoid the Chinese tools but I'm honestly impressed, the MMA stick welder did 1/4 plate at 120A from a single phase 13A supply very easily. I think this might be something to do with the fact there is no transformer so it works like a switched mode power supply, it didn't sound like my old transformer stick welder, it was more 'crackly' if that makes sense but it gave a very deep weld. The MIG welds are very easy and look superb.
Mig welder cost £163.99, Amazon 5kg wire £8, Helmet £25, Gloves £10. Hobbyweld 5% bottle, regulator and bottle deposit £140, trolley £40. All in for just under £400.
I started using it last week and I'm impressed, superb welds with no splatter at 8lpm gas, wire feed is fantastic, euro torch, inductance control, pre-gas and run-on gas when you release the trigger, will weld down to 20A for thin stuff. It comes with a stick welding handle and will switch to MMA for the big stuff. I think I could also convert it to TIG if I wanted with a bottle of Argon. The only advice I would give is to buy the 16A connector version and get a 16A to 13A adaptor from B&Q or Screwfix if you can wire your own. The 13A version they supply either comes with a Chinese fuse (copper bar!) or no fuse at all from what others have said.
The supplier, uptimewelding in Aberdeen, are crap at communication. Don't panic, after about 7 days DHL send you a shipping message.
I normally avoid the Chinese tools but I'm honestly impressed, the MMA stick welder did 1/4 plate at 120A from a single phase 13A supply very easily. I think this might be something to do with the fact there is no transformer so it works like a switched mode power supply, it didn't sound like my old transformer stick welder, it was more 'crackly' if that makes sense but it gave a very deep weld. The MIG welds are very easy and look superb.
There's a review of the Uptime here:
https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/uprtim...
There's a worrying look at the fuse he says came fitted to his so if you've got one best have a check. Goes on to say the plug has now been changed.
https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/uprtim...
There's a worrying look at the fuse he says came fitted to his so if you've got one best have a check. Goes on to say the plug has now been changed.
gottans said:
I didn't realise they did a 3 in 1.I bought this 16A AC/DC tig machine. https://www.r-techwelding.co.uk/tig-welder-240v-ac...
Reasons why.
R-Tech are cheap with excellent warranty and UK service.
For stainless and Ally, once you've got the practice in, welds on a Tig will be much tidier. I've never tried mig welding Ally but it seems like such a compromise.
If I need to do anything bulky I'll use the machine to Stick weld. Amperage is a little limited (think it's 130A when stick welding), but you just make multiple passes if needed.
Since I've owned the Tig machine, the mig hasn't been used once. In fact I sold it.
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