R Tech 181 - where to buy and discount codes?

[SplitSixtySix]

If the R-Tech is too much money, the Blackline mig 200A seems to get a good write up here, and is half the price of the R-Tech. https://www.rallydesign.co.uk/produ...IMXGYjkjfR-Mg25DrAr--SIWgElmKPuq06WKO5YG2BhLw
I bought the Rohr 200A which I'm really pleased with, but it isn't currently available.

Thanks for this @Islander71 but I don't think I have a 32a socket in my garage.

 

[dobbslc]

For welding thin bodywork it'll run off a 13 A plug.

 

[addjunkie]

@Hotstuff thanks for the support! And sorry to those who I've angered by the title of this thread. Didn't want to upset anyone. Just trying to get back into welding without breaking the bank and thought this forum was good place to start and help with that

Breaking the bank…..mmmmmm this forum will guide you well into how to spend your money and hide your man toy purchase budget from your Mrs.
A mig today, a tig next week, lathes, milling machines, english wheel, bead rollers, the list goes on.

Have you ordered your rtec yet?

You will need a 16 amp blue socket if you want to run it full blast, but cars should be ok off a normal socket.

 

[SplitSixtySix]

For welding thin bodywork it'll run off a 13 A plug.

Ah, really? ...that's interesting good to know

 

[dobbslc]

I run my 140A GYS mig off a 13A plug at full blast with no problems.

 

[zzr1200]

Breaking the bank…..mmmmmm this forum will guide you well into how to spend your money and hide your man toy purchase budget from your Mrs.

I don't know WHAT your talking about.............

.
A mig today, a tig next week, lathes, milling machines, english wheel, bead rollers, the list goes on.

A truer work has never been spoken about workshop toys..........

 

[zzr1200]

I run my 140A GYS mig off a 13A plug at full blast with no problems.

I used to run my 30+ year old ESAB Compact 160 Mig off of a 13 amp plug at full power, never had a problem with a blown fuse (mainly because it never had one fitted....)

 

[SplitSixtySix]

So getting more confused by options available and now by the power for these welders.

I've just been through my panels and the thickest stuff is probably going to be around 3mm mild steel (I plan on notching my chassis rails).
Would both welders, the Blackline mig 200A and R Tech 181 be suitable for me to weld from a domestic household socket (13a) up to 3mm thick?
Then, how thick would the steel be before I'd start tripping the fuse and need to beef up the supply?

The majority of the other steel is around 1mm thick so won't want to blow through this stuff either...



I also intend to weld up a role over frame like this example below. Would these machines cope with a job like this?

My budget I think Is around £500 so If the machine is man enough for these types of jobs I'll probably settle with the Blackline

 

[skotl]

Bear in mind that for thin steel it’s the minimum setting that’s more important than the max. A machine that won’t go down to 30a is (more) likely to blow a hole in your steel.

 

[addjunkie]

You want roughly 30 amps per millimetre of steel. Most machines will deliver about 150 amps of a 13 amp plug. If using an extension lead, make sure its a decent one rated for 13amps, as many cheapies are not. If its on a drum unwind it completely.
Though with a mig welder it is the volts and wire speed you are adjusting so amps is a calculated amount.

 

[zzr1200]

The Blackline mig states 50 amps to 200 amps:- Needs 32 amp supply for max output amps

• Inverter IGBT MIG/MAG technology
• Voltage: 220v 50/60Hz
• No Load Voltage: 42v
• Rated Input Capacity: 8.2kva
• Wire Diameter: 0.6 - 0.8mm (reversible wire feed wheel)
• Output Current: 50-200a
• Rated Duty Cycle: 60%
• Weight: 19kg
• Max Wire Reel: 5Kg

R Tech 181:- mig 30 amps to 180 amps: - needs 16 amp supply for max output amps

Amperage Range MIG	30A - 180A
Input voltage/amps	240v 16A
Duty cycle	35% @ 180A
Amperange range MMA	20 - 160A
Wire reel size	5KG
Wire diameter	0.6mm , 0.8mm
Roller size fitted	0.6mm , 0.8mm
Net weight	15KG
Dimensions	320 x 210 x 420 mm (H x W x D)
Euro style torch	Yes - Easy fitment of torch
Gasless wire	Yes - Easy reversal of polarity for gasless wire
Max Thickness Steel	6MM Single Pass
Max Thickness Steel	15MM Multiple Passes

R Tech 181 wins hands down in my books for car body work......

 

[tom2207]

Ah okay another item for the skip then

nope ,,, if it works just buy some 110v tools , they are cheap as chips now most folk have gone cordless ,, I bought three hilti tek guns with cases and still have change out of 100 quid ,,,,

 

[tom2207]

For welding thin bodywork it'll run off a 13 A plug.

I weld land rover chassis off a 13 amp plug and have no bother , and thats with an old 180 sealey super mig ,, granted I cant use the highest power setting for long ,

 

[Bullet2012]

may also be worth considering that any “modern” replacement panels will probably be even thinner .8mm or even .6,

 

[SplitSixtySix]

Thank you everyone for your knowledge, advice and input! It does seem like the 181 is the one!

 

[SplitSixtySix]

Sorry, I did a quick search but nothing obvious came back - any recommendations or links/posts on the appropriate mig wire, types, brands etc? Which thickness is best suited for auto body and my panel thickness? TA

 

[zzr1200]

Sorry, I did a quick search but nothing obvious came back - any recommendations or links/posts on the appropriate mig wire, types, brands etc? Which thickness is best suited for auto body and my panel thickness? TA

0.6 or 0.8mm wire, I personally prefer to use 0.6 for thin body type panels, 0.8 for land rover chassis thickness material and above in the RT181.

 

[Hotstuff]

Thank you everyone for your knowledge, advice and input! It does seem like the 181 is the one!

Wise choice, you won’t regret it.

I favour 0.6 mm wire too for thin car body panels. If you are buying your welder new from R-Tech, I seem to recall mine came with a roll of wire along with spare tips.

 

[Michael Bennett]

I've just brought mine. It came with 0.8 & 0.6 tips plus 1 shroud but no wire

 

[skotl]

Thank you everyone for your knowledge, advice and input! It does seem like the 181 is the one!

It might seem like some of us are on commission from R-Tech but that is genuinely down to the customer service.
I have an MTS255i and it's had some problems but R-Tech have sorted me under warranty and even several years after the warranty expired, all at no cost to me. One time they shipped me another MTS255i, outside warranty, to cover me while they repaired the machine.
As a Chinese import, these devices are no more or less reliable than any other "badge", but it does come down to how well the retailer (nameless reseller on ebay or amazon, vs. the likes of r-tech) treat you.