Have MIG welders developed in the last 20 years?

[cavebloke]

I’m still MIG welding with a SnapOn 2180 that must be 20 years old by now. I’ve got no real complaints with it but I haven’t tried anything newer. Has MIG welder tech changed at all? Or is it all the same bits in the box? Would I notice a difference in a newer machine and in what aspect of welding?
Cheers,
Simon

[guards red]

They now use inverter technology so can be much, much smaller.

[guards red]

... Also, laser welding is a thing now. Cost an arm and a leg though.

[cavebloke]

guards red said:

They now use inverter technology so can be much, much smaller.

Does the use of an inverter make performance better in any way? My welder is big but that doesn’t really concern me too much.

[guards red]

I believe the current to be more stable and they offer better control. Also I think they are more energy efficient.

The big thing though is size and weight.

[hidetheelephants]

cavebloke said:

guards red said:

They now use inverter technology so can be much, much smaller.

Does the use of an inverter make performance better in any way? My welder is big but that doesn’t really concern me too much.

As said, better control of current, voltage etc means a much more stable arc. What's marketed as synergic technology means adjusting it to get a decent weld is less brain-melting, although for edge cases like exotic materials or very thin sheet will likely still need manual fiddling.

[carlo996]

Bought one recently and it’s a revelation. Tell it what material and it’s sorts the speeds/feeds. I used to be a dedicated stick welder but for me new kit is decent.

[keeling54]

What did you buy, I'm looking for something to do a little bit of body work patching.

[carlo996]

keeling54 said:

What did you buy, I'm looking for something to do a little bit of body work patching.

I bought this…



Really nice guys, would recommend them without hesitation.

[keeling54]

carlo996 said:

I bought this…



Really nice guys, would recommend them without hesitation.

Was just looking at that one from another thread you posted on. From what I've read up on, it appears quite well suited for body work..

[carlo996]

From what I know they make welders for others. The good thing with it is the auto setup has been tailored by the Uk agent so is really close to what you need. End of the day there’s no shorcut to talent, but from my experience it got me welding as a MIG novice within a few minutes.

[Steve_steve]

My 30 odd year old Oxford 160 died and I got a R-Tech MIG180 MIG Inverter MIG Welder its a very easy welder to use and the power range is variable and not in steps like the Oxford so you can dial it in to suit the thickness of steel spot on. I would recommend the inverter welder you wouldn't go far wrong

[keeling54]

Steve_steve said:

My 30 odd year old Oxford 160 died and I got a R-Tech MIG180 MIG Inverter MIG Welder its a very easy welder to use and the power range is variable and not in steps like the Oxford so you can dial it in to suit the thickness of steel spot on. I would recommend the inverter welder you wouldn't go far wrong

The R-Tech was the other one I looked at recently.

[B'stard Child]

I fking love my portamig - it's old school but I can pretty much guess what settings I need an throw down a damn good weld

Modern stuff I'm sure is better but I like what I have

[cavebloke]

Thanks for your thoughts all. Sounds like I probably don’t “need” a new welder but might treat myself someday.
Cheers,
Simon

[Huntsman]

My Clarke 150TE was over 20 years old and was failing, so it went in a skip.

I'm considering this one

https://www.rapidwelding.com/dynamic/DisplayItem.a...

[tapkaJohnD]

My first MiG was the cheapest I could find, it had no cooling fan so that the heat cut-out would activate after about 20 minutes, and take two hours to cool down again. A kitchen extractor fan strapped to the side cured that.

My second was second hand, original age unknown, but it sparked its last after at least twenty years. I just hope my new one will last as long!
John

[aland75]

I have a ~20+ year old Clarke 230A MIG, which has 6 power settings, which is fine for fabricating stuff from lumps of steel, but useless for anything on a car body.
I bought an R-Tech 180 IGBT when I started my XKR project and it has been my go-to welder for everything since. The controllability and 'smoothness' or the arc are great.
They now do a version with a pretty TFT screen to make setup even easier. I've just bought one of their TIG models also.