Tig welders

[jon1d]

Been looking at R-Tech tig welders AC/DC and noticed this from Frosts for an Eastwood Tig which one came on offer as a Black Friday Offer. Looks like I will have to run a 32 Amp dedicated feed too the garage. It comes with 3 year warranty so they must trust there kit.



https://www.frost.co.uk/eastwood-tig-welder-200-ac-dc/

Or

https://www.r-techwelding.co.uk/tig-...-ac-dc-160amp/

The Eastwood 200-amp TIG Welder features with High-Frequency Inverter Technology is capable of welding thin or heavy gauge steel and aluminium with precision and ease. Now with Stick Welding Feature!

It look a bit bulky as its not a digital but would meet my requirements for occasional jobs.

Anyone got one or had experience of one?

[mylesdw]

The input current figures look odd - 13A for a 160A machine and 28A for a 200A machine. My 200A TIG runs on a 15A socket. It depends what you are up to but the messing about with car and truck parts that I do I hardly ever run the welder flat-out and a 13A plug would be fine.

[corn plaster]

It all depends on length of cable and it's rating. If you have a long run of cable to your garage you may need to upgrade the cable plus the mcb. My mig is OK along as I don't turn it up too much.

Just been on a electrics course.

Andy

[aaronjb]

Go with the R-Tech, IMHO; comes with a much (much) nicer foot pedal (and using the pedal makes a huge difference once you get a feel for it) and much more configurable.. I have the digital version (TIG170) and it's a lovely machine to use.

As others have said - I haven't found a need to go above 170A yet.

Keep an eye on R-Tech's Special Offers page (https://www.r-techwelding.co.uk/weld...pecial-offers/) if you aren't in a rush.. I could have picked up the TIG210 for the same cost as my TIG170 as a shop demo unit if I'd waited. They're also great people to deal with with fantastic after-sales support (a friend snapped one of the controls off his R-Tech MIG - they sent out a replacement FOC as he was happy to solder it in himself) and they're more than happy to give you advice and talk you through stuff on the phone.

Did I make it clear enough that I think the R-Tech is the way to go?

[garyjettrike]

I have a Rtech 260 tig and a Rtech plasma cutter , they are a very good firm to deal with and good backup

[TINKA]

I just bought a R-Tech tig welder with aluminium capability as they are nightly recommended on here. Can't wait to get some use out of it.

[jon1d]

Thanks for the feedback.

So many positives for R-Tech and I only hear good things about there back up support with reliability. I think I will be doing mainly steel and stainless with the very concessional aluminium but I know once I start I will probability start to do more ali.

My garage is not fare from my consumer unit.

Myles D-W
I thought the same that for an additional 40 AMP they state 28 amp. May be the efficiency goes with the 200 amp unit. I don't think I will need the full 200 amp as most work will be light weight stainless and steel max 1/4 inch.

Been watching lots of videos on ali.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoWSOC_Gx0w

I have done gas oxy and mig in the past and preferred the control of the gas.

[aaronjb]

The R-Tech 210 is only 16A, and 260A is 32A.. Eastwood's numbers look very odd.

[ChrisP]

All I will add is that my MIG, TIG and Plasma Cutter are R-Tech! All my car builder mates use R-Tech. Nothing else needs to be said does it??

[Wetpool]

Íf you are thinking about tigging alu, be aware that you do need some serious energy once you go above 5 mm or so...
Just saying...
Theo