Paul Y
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Posts: 1,948
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Jun 20, 2022 12:33:42 GMT
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So last night my faithful Snap On/Cerbaro TurboMig 130 decided to stop working. Could be the torch, could be the circuit board. Either way there are not spares available so it is modification or buy a new one. I can get a torch that can be made to fit for around £100, if it is a circuit board there are some available but longevity is going to be questionable. Which means I am looking at a new machine. Which is going to use funds from Woody's build to purchase. Fiddle Sticks. In an ideal world I would like a Tig/Mig unit but that pushes the cost upwards so looks like a standard Mig replacement then. I have looked at the entry level R Tech machine which looks like a nice unit but it is £500. A friend has suggested one of the Chinese welders but....mmmm... not convinced. Anyway, what is the latest hot flavour that people are using and like. Let me know, the moths don't like the light very much.... P.
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Last Edit: Jun 20, 2022 13:42:35 GMT by Paul Y
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Jun 20, 2022 16:04:36 GMT
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I guess it really depends on how much welding you're going to be doing. If like me, you're only going to be sticking a few items together from time to time then a hobby welder will suffice. If you do a lot more, then maybe it's worth pushing the boat out and getting something more specialised. From what I understand the R-Techs are fabulous bits of kit, but they are expensive for a reason. Because I don't do a lot of welding, I went to the local Machine Mart and bought myself a Clarke 135TE. It does everything I need it to right now and I doubt I will need to get another one for a while. www.machinemart.co.uk/p/135te-turbo-mig-welder/ One thing though - the "mask" included is hilarious. Even the guy who served me asked if I already had a helmet, because he said I wouldn't want to use what comes with it!! However, I am very far from being an expert. One thing I will say is that using it compared to my mate's old SIP (which kept tripping my garage electrics), is like night and day.
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Jun 20, 2022 16:38:42 GMT
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I'm a fan of the ancient oil-filled ones you can pick up for £250 on FB Marketplace! They're enormous heavy beasties, but tend to be simple enough to DIY fix and keep going forever. My main one is an old SIP Ideal 150 back from when SIP made half-decent welders, and I've just picked up an old Oxford welder as they come well recommended.
It'll probably be a bit a shock coming from an R-Tech, but that'll be mollified somewhat by the cost...
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ems1
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 295
Club RR Member Number: 5
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Jun 20, 2022 16:58:20 GMT
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Plenty of people here have welders and offer good advice, but it might also be a good idea to have a look at the mig-welding.co.uk forum as well.
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1985 Manta GT/E 16v 2001 VW T4 Caravelle
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All I will add, and you possibly know this Paul Y is that a good welder will exponentially improve your welding and results. Though my Blackline Mig from Rallydesign has failed, the stick option still works beautifully (see my super sexy rollcage welds 😉 ) it was a significantly better machine than my Clarke 165 that I gave to Sally’s son. Price may be a deciding factor, but a decent welder is worth having every day. I think there are a few guys who bought from the seller R-Tech post RRG recently.
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I would ask on the mig welding forum about repairing it. They are pretty basic and unless the transformer has failed (an easy check) they can usually be rebuilt. The torch price is a bit high, I can get a Binzel locally for half that. If you need a Euro adaptor they are around £25.
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Last Edit: Jun 21, 2022 7:46:06 GMT by crockpot
Proton Jumbuck-deceased :-( 2005 Kia Sorento the parts hauling heap V8 Humber Hawk 1948 Standard12 pickup SOLD 1953 Pop build (wifey's BIVA build).
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slater
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 6,390
Club RR Member Number: 78
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If you don't want to spend enough for the entry level R-tec then get somthing second hand around 180amp with euro torch. Avoid low powered hobby migs.
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If you don't want to spend enough for the entry level R-tec then get somthing second hand around 180amp with euro torch. Avoid low powered hobby migs. Well worth considering. I bought a well-used SIP Autoplus 160 (semi-pro machine from the days when SIP were half decent) for £100 about 15 years ago. It’s still going. Has needed a little bit of of basic maintenance over the years including a new Euro torch (due to mishap!) but has also done alot of work. If you want to use a 13A socket then anything much over 160A will pop the trip when used on the highest power settings. If I were buying new I’d get the R-Tech 180. Nick
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1967 Triumph Vitesse convertible (old friend) 1996 Audi A6 2.5 TDI Avant (still durability testing) 1972 GT6 Mk3 (Restored after loong rest & getting the hang of being a car again)
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Paul Y
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Posts: 1,948
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Jun 21, 2022 10:39:49 GMT
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Gentlemen, Thanks for the responses - in an ideal world I would be throwing £50's at the R-Tech chaps as went and had a go on a friends R-Tech 180 yesterday. What a fantastic bit of kit. However... economics dictate that this is not feasable at this stage. Thankfully I have an elderly father who appeared this morning with his trusty wooden box of electrical stuff and, after audible tutting and ' I don't knows' fixed it. What the issue was I don't know and all I could get out of him was that I was an idiot and should look after my tools better.... Crisis averted. Still want an R-Tech though.... P.
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Norman
Part of things
Posts: 444
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Jun 21, 2022 10:47:04 GMT
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What would we do without dads knowledge and experience! PS I am the Dad!
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Last Edit: Jun 23, 2022 17:31:10 GMT by Norman
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merryck
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 477
Club RR Member Number: 9
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Jun 21, 2022 11:23:14 GMT
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Great that he fixed it, but you should go back to him with "If you don't tell me what you did to fix it, then I won't be able to look after it in future!"
Going back to the original question, I've got a Clarke 110 mig hobby welder and a Snap-On/Cebora 160 amp mig. Both do the job, but the more powerful welder gives far better welds, even before I refurbished the torch and replaced the liner. Despite it being second hand, well beaten up and far older than the Clarke.
One thing to consider (which was news to me) is the actual power output of the welder. The advertised number is the most they can achieve, and the actual output drops (in some cases very significantly) the more you work them. So if you reckon you're going to be hitting the limit of a welder regularly then definitely think about putting in the extra money to make sure you're getting what you need from it.
*These observations are purely from a self-taught hobbyist, so I'm more than happy to be corrected by anyone who knows better!
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Paul Y
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,948
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Jun 21, 2022 13:20:29 GMT
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merryck I did ask him but he refused to tell me as if I knew how to do it I wouldn't need him anymore! From a cursory glance over the machine it looks as if it was a fault with the circuit board as the screws have been removed - sure I can get it out of him tonight when I take him down the pub! P.
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vulgalour
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 7,079
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Jun 22, 2022 10:21:08 GMT
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Glad you got a solution on this one. I was going to suggest an R-Tech, that's what I ended up with after suggestions on the forum, and I'm so glad I did. I don't know what sort of magic is going on inside it but it makes welding so much less stressful as welds on rubbish surfaces are a lot more predictable. Well worth the investment if you're able in the future.
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Paul Y
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,948
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Jun 22, 2022 11:15:41 GMT
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Quick update on what was wrong with the welder. According to the old man the rotary controller for wire feed speed was at fault. he took it apart, cleaned it - hence his comment about looking after my tools - and put it back together. Ta Da! All works now and, once I had worked out he had not retightened the wire feed wheel, all back to proper service. Still want an R-Tech though.... P.
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Jun 22, 2022 14:23:53 GMT
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In regards the 130 I have only had a few loose connections on mine.Bought in the 80’s and I did the torch conversion about 5 years ago when I built the trolley.As regards the r tech machines the one I have is a multi purpose tig,mig,mma machine and is light years ahead but the 130 is a great little machine that was transformed by the torch upgrade.
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Paul Y
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,948
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Jun 22, 2022 16:48:07 GMT
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Is it possible to have welder envy? Asking for a friend..... P.
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merryck
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 477
Club RR Member Number: 9
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Jun 23, 2022 12:19:34 GMT
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Is it possible to have welder envy? Asking for a friend..... P. It isn't listed in the DSM as a disorder specifically, but a number of cases have been diagnosed regarding both welders and welding trolleys. I've been a long-time welding trolley envy sufferer. My GP doesn't seem interested, but my mechanic is sympathetic.
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Jun 23, 2022 14:54:16 GMT
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The trolley was built only because I’m getting too old to bend down too adjust the thing.
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v8ian
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Posts: 3,758
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Jun 25, 2022 10:23:21 GMT
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Atmo V8 Power . No slicks , No gas + No bits missing . Doing it in style. Austin A35van, very different------- but still doing it in style, going to be a funmoble
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Jun 25, 2022 21:14:01 GMT
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My welding trolley.
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