I have an old ESAB smashweld 180 mig welder which is a little tired out. I need to do a lot of welding for my new project so this is important to me but I am not the bank of England. I think that the welder would be rejuvenated by a new torch. The problem is that to replace the torch it is going to cost me £200. Do you think I should just bin the welder and buy a new one or will a refurbished old 180 ESAB be better than a new £200 mig welder?

I'd stick with what you have, just buy a euro torch conversion from a trader on The Mig-Welding Forum and an ESAB will be much better than any new chinese-made machine.

All IMHO of course

I like ESAB welders and if it was me i would keep it
the welder i had where i used too work had a wire speed control on the trigger handle
Jacko

get a euro coversion like unclefista said you should then be able to pick up a new binzel type torch for as little as £25 your esab should be better than any new machine you can buy for £200. m.

As above the Esab will be much better than what £200 will buy you new.

As above the Esab will be much better than what £200 will buy you new.

I am very surprised that the ESAB doesn't already have a euro connector. A very fine machine - well worth spending the money on

big 10-4 on the esab