realistic needs for MMA welder

[Richard.]

It's a R-Tech 140, it blew up in the first 5 mins but after sales was good and replaced next day, if I do a review I like to be totally honest because people may spend money after what I write so:

I like the machine a lot but it has had no real use, only a couple of boxes of 2.5 so I am unable to say it is a great machine and will last for years.

If I intended to weld a lot, perhaps as a business then I may suggest investing in a more expensive make but again, I can't fault the R-Tech, I just haven't given it a lot of work to be able to compare against others with any accuracy.

Here is my updated review:

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/r-tech-140mma-5-year-review.28171/

Like that Steve. A proper say it like it is review rather than the usual "my new machine is great at everything " can't stand those type of useless reviews that come 15 minutes after the box is opened.

 

[cumbriasteve]

Thanks Richard..appreciated.

I may be getting a cheapanese plasma and if I do, I intend to review it right from ordering, delivery, testing, complaining, taking to court etc etc

Well hopefully not the last two but we shall see.

 

[BrokenBiker]

I tend not to listen to reviews on manufacturers sites, they all say the same thing like received it this morning, much better than my old sip...of course it's better than your old sip, that's just the novelty of having a box of electronics that do half the welding for you like hot start, arc force and anti stick etc...much prefer to ask here for honest opinions first

 

[daleyd]

I tend not to listen to reviews on manufacturers sites, they all say the same thing like received it this morning, much better than my old sip...of course it's better than your old sip, that's just the novelty of having a box of electronics that do half the welding for you like hot start, arc force and anti stick etc...much prefer to ask here for honest opinions first

I think those reviews are fair enough to be honest, they are telling you about the features of the machine and how easy it is to use etc....... You can only give a review on how reliable something is after you've owned it for a while surely??

 

[davidjohnperry]

A thermal arc 175te is a good bit of kit and id recommend it to any one it comes with a good ish starter tig package and is simple to use I've used mine for two years down sides is u really need a 32 amp blue plug on it its got no digital amp readings so not for precision welding and the tig torch is a bit bulky but will run a 2.5 6013 7018 7016 all day and will run a 3.2 at 120 for half a day maybe longer but like I say its down to peoples preferred choice's

 

[BrokenBiker]

A thermal arc 175te is a good bit of kit and id recommend it to any one it comes with a good ish starter tig package and is simple to use I've used mine for two years down sides is u really need a 32 amp blue plug on it its got no digital amp readings so not for precision welding and the tig torch is a bit bulky but will run a 2.5 6013 7018 7016 all day and will run a 3.2 at 120 for half a day maybe longer but like I say its down to peoples preferred choice's

the xti160 is 100% @ 80 amps so will runa 2.5 all day too. not that bothered about tig features, i will leave that until i have a hf ac/dc welder, have used the lift arc feature on the xti and its great until you need to finish a weld and you get a crater and no gas coverage

 

[Appyasme1]

Could be because you need slope out and gas delay.Don`t know much about this machine but if you are using lift arc this could be the problem

 

[BrokenBiker]

Could be because you need slope out and gas delay.Don`t know much about this machine but if you are using lift arc this could be the problem

that is the problem, with nearly all lift arc machines...you have to whip the torch out to stop the arc and you lose gas coverage and go from full amps to nothing instantly

 

[BrokenBiker]

Make something to control the current then, you could put it in a box and have some sort of foot controlled lever...

and how would you attach that to unit not designed to have a foot pedal without voiding the warranty?

 

[BrokenBiker]

and there lies the problem. i really cant see the point in putting a foot pedal on an MMA welder that only has very very basic tig capability when you can pick up dc HF tigs at reasonable proces anyway

 

[BrokenBiker]

Edit - ever wondered why warranties don't bother me? Because if it works for an hour or so chances are it'll continue to work, and I like poking holes in things...

i like poking holes in things too...30 seconds after the warranty expires. electronics are finnicky at best, after spending 4 years in a maintenance workshop repairing god knows how many different bits of kit i tend to be cautious until i know i have nothing to lose

 

[davidjohnperry]

Sorry to add mate mines got hf

 

[BrokenBiker]

has it got plug for a pedal?

its a bit more than i want to pay for a stick welder really, as said above i have no choice but to weld outside and the weather isnt set to be my friend if i have to worry about argon shielding too with a tig

 

[davidjohnperry]

Not sure about that to be honest I stick weld with it I've done digger repair built a metal lean to welded skips in the rain but see what's about try and demo one ur welcome to come and mess about with mine if yr near Bristol

 

[weldequip]

The 'TE's a TIG. Will do Arc too but the extra money is for the HF TIG functions.

 

[BrokenBiker]

Not sure about that to be honest I stick weld with it I've done digger repair built a metal lean to welded skips in the rain but see what's about try and demo one ur welcome to come and mess about with mine if yr near Bristol

thats a nice offer, i used to travel to bristol quite often (because its cheaper and easier to get to cribbs causeway than it is to go to cardiff, and just generally like the place) but havent been that way for a while since starting work where i am now.

The 'TE's a TIG. Will do Arc too but the extra money is for the HF TIG functions.

i thought so, have just found one for sale for £365 and its just too much money for what i want. the xti is winning again at the moment, i know what to expect with one and i know from personal experience that they are (or atleast the one i had was) reliable

 

[davidjohnperry]

That's fair enough im a firm believer in go with what you know. And no problem mate just thought id try to help i have personally never used a xti so i cant comment

 

[davidjohnperry]

The 'TE's a TIG. Will do Arc too but the extra money is for the HF TIG functions.

I had no ideal about that I just thought it was a mma plant with tig options hm live and learn

 

[weldequip]

The 'SE' is the straight MMA machine; essentially the same box with more gizmos inside the 'TE' for the TIG

 

[Bill Edwards]

I don't see any point in spending a lot on a stick inverter if you don't need TIG.

From a stick welding angle all the money goes to is power, duty cycle and cellulose capability. They may end up nicer to use and overall a slightly higher build quality (though any such thing can still fail) but as far as I can see for BB on this thread spending more isn't really going to gain him anything he needs, or particularly wants.
The original thought of the R tech or xti 160 seems good.