Hi Guys. I have had r-tech 180 mig for some time and got most of my things done with it. I'm just a hobbyist and do things around home and odd projects like a bike stand, bike exhaust etc. So a mix of mild steel, stainless, and aluminum, mild steel predominantly.
I have been using mig for what it is with core flux reel so no other consumables- really. I have bought a cheap TIG torch, pure argon 10 kg bottle, a flow meter, and some stainless rods, aluminium rods and for the past 4 years, I have been scratch TIG-ing my little exhaust stainless projects with r-tech mig. My TIG welds are horrible but can be polished with a grinder, so not bad in the end. Scratch start for me as total beginer aren't making things any easier. I would say I probably use my welder 10 times a year- if that.
I have been toying with the idea to buy a proper TIG not AC/cd tho, as I cannot justify the cost for my few welds, as most of my welding is thin stuff, 0.5 - 4mm, and on thin stuff scratch start is difficult without blowing holes through.
I found a used r-tech TIG200DV-PD for around 400 quid and thinking of buying it.
However, for the amount I weld, I cannot justify keeping both welders so my questions are:
1. should I swap, get rid of the mig, and buy the tig as the more versatile option? (I understand that without AC, welding aluminum although can be done is generally a bad idea)
2. that tig, looks in pretty good condition and has got a new torch, is it worth the 450 quid?
3. would that tig run on 240V with a conversion plug as my current MIG 180?
any other ideas are welcomed.
thanks
I have been using mig for what it is with core flux reel so no other consumables- really. I have bought a cheap TIG torch, pure argon 10 kg bottle, a flow meter, and some stainless rods, aluminium rods and for the past 4 years, I have been scratch TIG-ing my little exhaust stainless projects with r-tech mig. My TIG welds are horrible but can be polished with a grinder, so not bad in the end. Scratch start for me as total beginer aren't making things any easier. I would say I probably use my welder 10 times a year- if that.
I have been toying with the idea to buy a proper TIG not AC/cd tho, as I cannot justify the cost for my few welds, as most of my welding is thin stuff, 0.5 - 4mm, and on thin stuff scratch start is difficult without blowing holes through.
I found a used r-tech TIG200DV-PD for around 400 quid and thinking of buying it.
However, for the amount I weld, I cannot justify keeping both welders so my questions are:
1. should I swap, get rid of the mig, and buy the tig as the more versatile option? (I understand that without AC, welding aluminum although can be done is generally a bad idea)
2. that tig, looks in pretty good condition and has got a new torch, is it worth the 450 quid?
3. would that tig run on 240V with a conversion plug as my current MIG 180?
any other ideas are welcomed.
thanks