Looking at upgrading to an inverter MIG, had a Clarke 160 for over ten years and it's been well used and
up till now a great welder. But recently it's started misbehaving so looking to upgrade.
Tempted by the R-Tech 160 Inverter MIG as I'm very impressed with the AC/DC TIG I bought from them
three years ago. Don't need the 250a one as I'd use arc for anything over 5mm.

Now I have zero experience of inverter MIGs so am after some feed back before taking the plunge.

Hi there,

I'm in a similar position myself. I found some useful advise on the mig-welding forum here.

I also have the same R-Tech TIG machine and am looking for a new MIG.

After much research I'm going to go for a transformer based MIG as I don't need the extra features an inverter one offers, as most seem to be multiprocess (which the TIG already does).

Oxford / Portamig / TecArc MIG machines get a good write up.

Having said all that, if you need the machine to be portable forget transformer ones

HTH

[Edited on 10/11/17 by nobby_the_sheep]

Afraid I don't know the answer to your question, but I have an inverter DC tig/arc welder and have often wondered if it would be possible to rig up a spool-on-gun head with a suitable PSU and gas valve and use that with the tig giving the welding power? As I understand it migs need a DC power source too. Would mean there was less equipment to store too!

something like this:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/DIY-Miller-MIG-Spool-Gun-Push-Pull-Feeder-Aluminum-Welding-Torch-Without-Cable/1594687625?iid=122701550863

Actually - question answered!
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ALIMINIUM-SPOOL-GUN-WORKS-DIRECTLY-OFF-ANY-ARC-WELDER-CT245-1-2-YEAR-WARRANTY/162744021897?_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3D SIM.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D49130%26meid%3D444418ffb8f94f28b246104ca0a71677%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D382277756711&_trksid=p2047675.c1 00005.m1851

ETA obviously both the links are for cheap kit, but you can buy better quality units.

[Edited on 10/11/17 by hughpinder]

Simple answer Yes, for me night and day to a transformer MIG

I looked at all the options inc the ones mentioned and bought a CWS 160iCWS 160i


I did a write up on it on the MIG welding forum here http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/cws-best-mig-160i-unbox-first-job-and-review.71530/ />
Whatever you buy I think it is worth the extra for local (UK) support and stock.

Still really happy with it. at the end of the thread I show a pic of someone's "first fillet weld" - that was done by my 10yr old daughter!

HTH


[Edited on 10/11/17 by miskit]

---

big_wasa - 10/11/17 at 03:22 PM

Yes well worth the change for me as well.

As with any tools buy the best you can afford.

---

rusty nuts - 10/11/17 at 04:37 PM

Yes, the Rtech 160 is a good machine. Have had mine for a couple of years and find the arc very stable when using it as a MIG welder , have only tried it once on arc , again very stable arc , the weld wasn't too good but that was down to me .

---

dinosaurjuice - 10/11/17 at 04:37 PM

I upgraded to an R-tech I-Mig-250 2 years ago. Its amazing thoroughly recommended.

Just a word of warning. If an inverter Mig goes wrong its much more difficult to trouble shoot/repair than a transformer type. Now i know R-rech are assembled in china (AFAIK), but the UK backup makes it a wise choice IMO.

---

NigeEss - 9/1/18 at 05:32 PM

Update.

I purchased the R-Tech 180 inverter MIG and it's brilliant, could tell from the first inch of weld at out of the box
settings. So much better than my old transformer one.

---

Bigboystoys - 9/1/18 at 07:45 PM

I have recently upgraded to a kemppi minarcmig 200, its an amazing bit of kit really light and portable but welds some pretty thick material if required, it's also just as good on the light smaller stuff when required

---

SJ - 9/1/18 at 08:40 PM

Sorry for the probably daft question but is it just ali that tig is better for?

---

prawnabie - 9/1/18 at 10:23 PM

I’ve got the 180 inverter mig, top bit of kit! Nice wire drive decent torch and fairy compact unit. Fully adjustable power too - no more switches

---

NigeEss - 10/1/18 at 01:41 PM

quote:

---

Originally posted by SJ
Sorry for the probably daft question but is it just ali that tig is better for?

---

MIG can do ali but ali is too soft to be pushed all the way down the torch lead, it bunches
up after the feed roller. So it needs a torch with the spool of wire on which makes it very
cumbersome. Hence why TIG is the welder of choice. You also get the lovely "Stack of
pennies" effect with TIG, if you're good enough that is, I'm not.

---

big_wasa - 10/1/18 at 05:14 PM

quote:

---

Originally posted by SJ
Sorry for the probably daft question but is it just ali that tig is better for?

---

Mig is quick but Tig is much nicer in almost every way. Even a dc tig is worth a punt for steel and some practice before committing to an ac/dc unit.

And I need practice.....

---