The Welders' Blog

The artistry of Ironwood Motif

2010-07-07T12:52:00.007+01:00

When we sell our welders we don't just stop at that. We like to know how and what they are being used for wherever possible so that we can learn from our customers about their real-life experiences with them. Ironwood Motif is a company based in France and owned and run by David Low, who has 20 years experience of metal fabrication & forging. He has worked creatively with wrought iron on large & small client commissions for indoors & outdoors in both the U.K. & in France and also fabricates unique sculptures using metal & stone, featuring mythical & imaginary creatures. Each piece is made to order & the craftsman brings together his own ideas with those of his clients to create unique commissions.

Strength, durability & beauty are key facets of his work in wrought iron, along with quality of workmanship. He set up the business Ironwood Motif in France in April 2005. You'll notice his incredible attention to detail in the photographs but also the beauty of the shapes and forms he creates. David has our TIG welders and one of our plasma cutters too.

2010-07-02T11:26:00.000+01:00

We've done it again - great buying and the ability to keep selling more and more machines has led to what is probably our best ever offer on our superb 240v AC/DC TIG Welders.
As if getting a top specification TIG with our cast-iron warranty wasn't enough we have now added a complete accessory pack to go with it . So with every new 240v AC/DC TIG you now get a FREE Foot Pedal, a FREE Auto-Darkening Welding Helmet, a FREE Flowmeter and a FREE pair of TIG welding gloves - worth over £200!

We usually make a point of saying that this is a limited offer but we really do mean it this time. There are only so many foot pedals and masks we can give away so when they are gone the offer stops - and I seriously doubt whether we can ever repeat it. This is a genuine offer for the same products you can buy off the website, not cheap alternatives. You would only ever need to add your gas and a filler rods to get welding. We are confident that this is the most comprehensive TIG package on offer anywhere in the UK.

Lightship restoraion project

2010-05-05T10:13:00.003+01:00

It's rare that we come across such a big and complex restoration project like this but when a customer of ours told us what he was using his recently purchased Plasma Cutter for we jumped at the chance to feature his exploits in our Blog. If nothing else the sheer scale and unusual nature of this project makes for some fascinating reading.

A lightship is basically a lighthouse on a ship. They were built to position themselves near sand-banks. These underwater obstacles tend to move over time due to the currents. Hence it doesn't make sense to build a permanent structure. A light-ship however can be moved together with the sand-banks over time. Since the movement of sand-banks is not dramatic, most light-ships had no propulsion: they were towed to location, dropped their anchors and stayed there until it was time to move or when they had to go into a harbour for maintenance. The lights were oil-fired, later changed to electric. These lamps were mounted on a rotating assembly.

Over the past year Jan and his team have been painstakingly restoring this magnificent vessel for the purpose of using it as a base for Jan's business - LightShip Therapies. Offering clients unique complimentary helathcare and life skills training. He is a Reiki Master, Life Coach, Counsellor and teacher and will be basing his operations at Gloucester docks when the project is completed. I can't think of a more peaceful and relaxing environment to practice from.

Whilst the majority of work has been completed by Jan and the team some of the heavier jobs have had to be carried out by staff at the shipyard in Sharpness, where the LightShip is currently in drydock.

Jan's blog is packed full of photographs and comments about the project . Visit: The Light Ship Blog to see all the photo's and read all the posts on how this amazing vessel has been brought back to life.

Boxes and boxes everywhere!

2010-04-08T16:23:00.004+01:00

At long last our new production run has arrived in our distribution centre after what has seemed like an eternity. That's the problem when you can't cope with demand - it doesn't matter how much forward planning or forecasting your buyers do there is no way of knowing how popular certain machines will be at any given time. This latest run of machines have been through our rigorous QC department and R&D and was only delayed due to the sheer volume of units we planned to make in this run - a real testament to our continued growth and success. We can't make welders and plasma cutters fast enough! Click the image to read more. The two most popular machines recently are the 160 Amp DC TIG and the 200 Amp DC TIG. Full details can be found by clicking the links. Even now we are busy forward planning demand for the next three manufacturing cycles - meaning our buyers have to source and buy components at the best prices and with the correct lead times for production.

Not any easy task when you are experiencing a three figure percentage increase in sales year-on-year.

And the reason for all of this?

It's not rocket science really. It's essential to produce an excellent product, sound simple doesn't it?, yet it takes many hours of research, testing and development to build quality machines like ours. We back it with a cast-iron no-quibble guarantee, (serviceable from the factory) and we sell it at a price that almost looks too good to be true. How? Well, we don't use distributors anymore so their margin gets passed directly on to you as a saving. We sell direct only.

There's plenty of reasons to buy a welder or a plasma cutter from us but I'm not lying when I say that you'd better not hang around for long - at the rate we are selling machines it won't be long before we go out of stock again on certain lines - ahead of getting the next wave in. That's not some fancy sales talk it's just a plain fact.

Dronco Abrasive Discs now in stock

2010-03-09T17:06:00.001Z

Just a quick note to mention our new range of grinding discs, cutting discs, flap wheels and sanding discs from world leading abrasives manufacturer Dronco. Renowned across industry, Dronco are leaders in the field of abrasives technology and are one of Europe's leading suppliers. We are stocking a popular selection at the moment but plan to expand our range in the near future. All items are available in single units and are priced competitively.

Plasma Cutter Offer

2010-03-04T10:18:00.004Z

As if our 40amp Plasma Cutter wasn't already a great piece of kit at a great price it's now even better value as we have trimmed off £50 from the normal selling price. Full specs are available here, but in a nutshell it's an industrial spec machine with a 12mm clean cut and a two year warranty. Just add a supply of compressed air and that's it! Be sure to check out our range of 240v Air Compressors too if you don't already have one.

If you've traditionally been used to cutting with Oxy/Acetylene equipment and have never used a Plasma Cutter before you're going to be furious that you have taken so long to realise how fast, efficient and effortless it is to cut metal with a plasma cutter. Of course ours is better than most (naturally!) so that's why you should buy one. Seriously though, shop around by all means but beware of cheap imported units. You get what you pay for and it's no different when buying a plasma cutter.

Free Foot Pedal Offer

2010-02-24T11:32:00.002Z

We've talked about doing this for months but for some reason the MD got a bit jittery at the thought of giving a three figure some of money away with a TIG Welder. Finally though he has seen sense and we have now launched our best ever TIG promotion. For a strictly limited time (until all the pedals have gone actually) we are giving away our Pro Foot Pedal (worth £139 EX VAT) with each AC/DC 240v TIG Welder bought from our website. That's it, free, gratis, zero, zilch.

Foot pedals are a great addition to any TIG Welder, especially where amperage adjustment and control are important. It gives you the flexibility to go from base current to any preset amperage you choose just by moving your foot backwards and forwards. This means that you can tackle complicated or tricky welds without having to stop, put the torch down, adjust the machine then start welding again - you can seamlessly weld in a continuous run and make adjustments without stopping when you use a foot pedal.

TIG Welding: An Introduction

2010-02-09T09:57:00.003Z

WHAT IS TIG WELDING?
Gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW), also known as tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding, is an arc welding process that uses a tungsten electrode to produce the weld. The weld area (or pool) is protected from atmospheric contamination by a shielding gas (usually Argon), and a filler metal is normally used. A constant-current welding power supply produces energy which is conducted across the arc through a column of highly ionized gas and metal vapours known as a plasma.

The TIG process is most commonly used to weld thin sections of stainless steel and non-ferrous metals such as aluminium, magnesium, and copper alloys. The process grants the operator greater control over the weld than competing procedures such as shielded metal arc welding and gas metal arc welding, allowing for stronger, higher quality welds. However, TIG Welding is comparatively more complex and difficult to master, and furthermore, it is significantly slower than most other welding techniques.

HOW TIG WELDING WORKS?
TIG welding is often considered the most difficult of all the welding processes because the welder must maintain a short arc length, great care and skill are required to prevent contact between the electrode and the workpiece. TIG welding normally requires two hands, since most applications require that the welder manually feed a filler metal into the weld area with one hand while manipulating the welding torch in the other. However, some welds combining thin materials can be accomplished without filler metal; most notably edge, corner, and butt joints.

In higher quality machines an arc is created using a high frequency circuit (HF) to create spark. Lesser featured machines use the scratch-start method whereby the electrode needs to make contact with the workpiece in order to create an arc. This can cause contamination of the weld and the electrode.

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF USING A TIG WELDER?
Engineers prefer TIG welding because of its low-hydrogen properties and the match of mechanical and chemical properties with the base material. While the aerospace industry is one of the primary users of TIG welding, the process is used in a number of other areas. Many industries use TIG for welding thin workpieces, especially nonferrous metals. It is used extensively in the manufacture of space vehicles, and is also frequently employed to weld small-diameter, thin-wall tubing such as those used in the bicycle industry. In addition, TIG is often used to make root or first pass welds for piping of various sizes. In maintenance and repair work, the process is commonly used to repair tools and dies, especially components made of aluminium and magnesium.

Because the weld metal is not transferred directly across the electric arc like most open arc welding processes, a vast assortment of welding filler metal is available to the welding engineer. In fact, no other welding process permits the welding of so many alloys in so many product configurations. Filler metal alloys, such as elemental aluminium and chromium, can be lost through the electric arc from volatilization. This loss does not occur with the TIG process. Because the resulting welds have the same chemical integrity as the original base metal or match the base metals more closely, TIG welds are highly resistant to corrosion and cracking over long time periods, TIG is the welding procedure of choice for critical welding operations like sealing spent nuclear fuel canisters before burial.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT ONE
The best way to decide which model is going to be right for you is to consider the thickness of metal you intend to weld and then the types of work you are going to be producing - this will determine the kind of features you will need to look for to ensure you can achieve what you set out to do. AC/DC welders will weld all steels and alloys whereas DC only welders will only weld steels. Realistically, you should insist on these features as they will give you the best all-round control over all kinds of welding work:

Pulse Welding
In the pulsed-current mode, the welding current rapidly alternates between two levels. The higher current state is known as the pulse current, while the lower current level is called the base current. During the period of pulse current, the weld area is heated and fusion occurs. Upon dropping to the base current, the weld area is allowed to cool and solidify. Pulse welding has a number of advantages, including lower heat input and consequently a reduction in distortion and warpage in thin workpieces. In addition, it allows for greater control of the weld pool, and can increase weld penetration, welding speed, and quality.

Slop Up/Slope Down
This feature essentially delivers a smooth current from base amps up to the amperage set by the operator at the start of the weld. Slope down is the same but in reverse. When the torch switch is released the power fades out instead of stopping suddenly. A sudden stop of the current can cause a condition known as cratering. Slope down will help eliminate this.

AC Squarewave Frequency
This feature allows for much greater control of the arc. By adjusting AC Squarewave the cone shape of the arc narrows - allowing for greater control of the weld pool, quicker travel speed and the ability to get into tight spaces by concentrating the arc width. Most TIG professionals would choose to have this on their machines. By increasing the frequency you can effectively 'beat the heat transfer' by moving along the weld faster. Too slow in any one area can cause a build up of heat in a localised area meaning that the work can start to deform and spoil. This feature will avoid this. It's a fantastic feature for a beginner to learn with as. Our AC/DC TIG's all have this feature built in to them.

AC Squarewave Balance
This feature allows the operator to adjust how much of the arc is set for cleaning or penetration of the weld material. Aluminium has an oxide coating and this has to be lifted (cleaning) off the surface of metal before it is penetrated to create weld pool. So if the machine is set to more cleaning, it will spend more time lifting of the oxide layer and give a cleaner end weld with less penetration (ideal if you are welding old contaminated materials. If you set the machine to more penetration, the machine spends less time cleaning and gives more penetration. Balance is normally set at middle 50%, turning down to 30% gives more cleaning and increasing above 50% gives more penetration.

See our range of TIG Welders here.

Learn more using our Free How to do TIG Welding Guide

Plasma Cutting: An explanation

2010-02-03T08:54:00.007Z

WHAT IS PLASMA CUTTING?
Plasma cutting is a process that is used to cut steel and other metals of different thicknesses (or sometimes other materials) using a plasma torch. In this process compressed air is blown at high speed out of a nozzle; at the same time an electrical arc is formed through that gas from the nozzle to the surface being cut, turning some of that gas to plasma. The plasma is sufficiently hot to melt the metal being cut and moves sufficiently fast to blow molten metal away from the cut. Plasma can also be used for plasma arc welding and other applications.

HOW PLASMA CUTTING WORKS?
The HF Contact type uses a high-frequency, high-voltage spark to ionise the air through the torch head and initiate an arc. This requires the torch to be in contact with the job material when starting, not sp good if you have to penetrate through things like rust or painted surfaces.
The Pilot Arc type uses a two cycle approach to producing plasma, avoiding the need for initial contact. First, a high-voltage, low current circuit is used to initialize a very small high-intensity spark within the torch body, thereby generating a small pocket of plasma gas. This is referred to as the pilot arc. The pilot arc has a return electrical path built into the torch head. The pilot arc will maintain itself until it is brought into proximity of the workpiece where it ignites the main plasma cutting arc. Plasma arcs are extremely hot and are in the range of 15,000 degrees Celsius.
Plasma is an effective means of cutting thin and thick materials alike. Hand-held torches can usually cut up to 2 in (48 mm) thick steel plate, and stronger computer-controlled torches can pierce and cut steel up to 12 inches (300 mm) thick. Formerly, plasma cutters could only work on conductive materials; however, new technologies allow the plasma ignition arc to be enclosed within the nozzle, thus allowing the cutter to be used for non-conductive workpieces such as glass and plastics. Since plasma cutters produce a very hot and very localized "cone" to cut with, they are extremely useful for cutting sheet metal in curved or angled shapes.

WHAT IS AN INVERTER PLASMA CUTTER?
Inverter plasma cutters rectify the mains supply to DC, which is fed into a high-frequency transistor inverter between 10kHz to about 200kHz. Higher switching frequencies give greater effiencies in the transformer, allowing its size and weight to be reduced. Today's power modules are called IGBT's (Inter Gate Bipolar Transistors) and are generally found in better quality machines. IGBT based machines operate more efficiently and reliably.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT ONE?
The best way to decide which model is going to be right for you is to consider the thickness of metal you intend to cut. We are always honest in what we claim our machines will cut. We quote the clean cut depth as a benchmark for cutting thickness. This will mean that the maximum, or severance cut, will be 20 -25% higher then the clean cut measurement. Severance cuts on most machine will normally require some finishing on the cut edge due to the cutter operating at the upper most limit of it's operational envelope.

See the range of R-Tech Plasma Cutters here

New Light Reactive Welding Helmet

2010-01-28T08:50:00.005Z

Our range of welding masks and welding helmets just keeps on growing and growing and now we're pleased to add another great value light reactive helmet to our range. The all-new Hawk-I-Vision . This great new mask has a grinding function, with both the Helmet Shell and Cover Lens Grade 1B Impact Rated, as well as being a Variable Shade Auto Darkening Welding Helmet.

With a generous viewing area and quick reaction time this helmet is tough and durable yet also lightweight and easy to wear and there's a TWO YEAR warranty on the cartridge. See more details on the Hawk-I-Vision Welding Helmet.

Great new Jackson Air-fed mask

2010-01-25T14:39:00.010Z

It's not every day you get to play with a bit of equipment that looks like it's just come from the set of Star Wars. However, today is one of those days and with this piece of kit my excitement has peaked. Not only is this great respiratory light-reactive mask system fantastic at keeping you welding all day long but you get to look like Darth Vader too!

The list of specs for this new mask is extensive including long periods of extensive use between charges, improved airflow and approval to major compliance standards.

To see more of this amazing air-fed welding helmet system, including price and delivery options, click Jackson Air-Fed Welding Helmet System

Secret deals not available online

2010-01-20T16:32:00.005Z

All of a sudden we seem to have a number of ex-demo and shop-soiled welders and plasma cutters for sale. I got the heads-up from the Sales Director a few days ago who let slip that we had some machines that may be offered with a good discount. He wasn't wrong either!

It was agreed that these specially discounted machines would be offered to only a selected handful of our existing customers but I felt that more people should be able to get their hands on them so I'm sneaking this blog post in with a link to a webpage that I have made (without anyone knowing). Take a look at the mailshot offer list I have created by clicking January Special Offers.

If you see anything you fancy then call up and tell us that you had an email with some offers on it. That way I may still have a job by the end of the week. If you like my ethics please feel free to share this link with others that you think may be interested. Cheers, Ed.

Remembering Jim Clark

2010-01-18T10:49:00.009Z

During a recent conversation with a friend of mine about great historic racing cars and the drivers that made them great we came upon the legend that is Jim Clark. It was always going to be difficult coming up with a top ten, there are so many great names and marques to choose from. It should have been no surprise that Jim Clark featured so highly on both our lists, especially considering how many career highlights he had before his untimely death.

We argued about his relationship with Lotus. Clark was lucky to escape death after colliding with von Trips Ferrari at Monza in 1961 yet Clark went on to claim the first of Lotus' World Championships in 1963 at the wheel of a Lotus 25, winning seven out of ten races that season. That was great, but what he did at Indy was even more remarkable. In 1965, after some unsuccessful attempts and unlucky mechanical failures he won the Indy 500 and The F1 World Title at the hands of a Lotus 38. He is the only driver to ever win the double in the same year. He also won three titles in the Tasman F1 series, run for older cars whilst challenging for F1 honours - a record for the series. Can you imagine today's F1 faggotts competing in two series in the same year and winning both of them?

As if that wasn't enough Clark was perhaps even more fabled for his exploits in a works Lotus-Cortina in which he competed in and won the 1964 British Touring Car Championship (pictured above). He would have won the RAC Rally of Great Britain had it not been for a crash near to the end. Clark was able to adapt to any car he drove with ease and mastery. He had often commented on why he found it difficult to understand why other drivers weren't as quick as him.

Clark's stats and results speak for themselves but perhaps his greatest achievement was to be a man that was universally held in high regard by all his peers and his devoted fans. He was a gentleman, a racing driver of unparalleled talent and gave us some of the most memorable motor racing moments of all time. Who can fails to marvel at the footage of him four wheel drifting his Cortina with one arm hanging out of the window? Genius.

New Plasma demo hits YouTube

2010-01-14T10:56:00.007Z

We've finally got a sample video uploaded of the Plasma 30C Plasma Cutter in action. This short demonstration shows a selection of metals being cut with ease. The P30C runs from a domestic 240v single-phase supply and can be taken anywhere thanks to it's light weight and handy carry strap. This plasma cutter will cut 8mm cleanly and up to a maximum of 12mm severance cut.

We've recently had an independent review of this machine which can be seen by clicking Plasma 30C Review. See for yourself how good this workshop plasma cutter is by visiting the link to our site. See the P30C here.

Great new welding trolley arrives

2010-01-11T17:09:00.002Z

After having found the need to source a well-priced and good quality welding trolley to fit in with our 240v range of Plasma Cutters, TIG and MIG welders we've struck gold with this little beauty. Three good sized shelves (the middle one is a deep 100mm tray for accessories and tools etc...), extruded steel construction, heavy duty wheels and it comes flat packed so the shipping is made cheaper because of that.

Thankfully it also takes a full size gas bottle easily and comes complete with the retaining chains that keep the bottle in place. It comes with all the bolts needed for speedy construction and also features a large tubular handle at the font which makes moving a loaded trolley a real doddle.

Handy steel clips mounted to each of the front uprights allow for easy storage of an earth lead, torch or other kinds of cabling. For more information on this great trolley click this link: http://www.r-techwelding.co.uk/Welding_Consumables/Welding_Trolleys/Standard_Welding_Trolley

Amazing metal scupltures

2010-01-11T09:46:00.004Z

It's amazing to think there's such a huge diversity of fabrication going on, from the largest construction projects to the smallest pieces of art. I cam across one of our twitter followers recently who specializes in customized metalcraft. Hi name is Josh and runs Browndog Welding - producing some incredible automotive, bike and dog sculptures and models. Choppers, hot-rods, bobbers and classics - all genres are covered by this highly skilled guy. Take a peak at his website and store for more amazing pieces.

New model DC TIG Blog exclusive

2010-01-08T09:15:00.009Z

What with bad weather, being busy with brisk New Year sales and a host of other things getting our new model DC TIG onto the website is proving more tricky than we first thought. However, I'm going to give you a sneaky preview ahead of the site launch. If you mention that you've seen it on the blog you may get a better deal but I'm not promising anything.

This new TIG is a 200 Amp DC unit (for welding all kinds of steels). It's a fully featured unit and has a single phase, 240v Input. The complete specs for this machine are the same as our 180Amp DC TIG with the exception of the pulse welding features. With this new TIG you have the added advantage of being able to adjust pulse amperage, pulse frequency and pulse width. With generous features like slope up/down, trigger latching and HF starting this unit will weld 6-7mm all day long.

We have stocks of both units ready to ship. Click the logo at the top of the page to go to our site. This model has a complete two year collect and return warranty (UK).

Buying an Auto-Darkening Hemlet

2010-01-07T14:20:00.011Z

If you're still using a flip type mask then ask yourself how happy you are with the welds you are producing and, apart from the accuracy, how annoying is it to keep moving the mask up and down over your face whilst you check your work? When you line up a MIG or TIG torch to begin a weld and are ready to pull the trigger, is your torch going to wander a 1/4 inch to the right or left while you are flipping you helmet down? If it does, it’s going to take you about a second to realize it while your eyes focus, then another second to get back on track. It's time to throw away that old mask and buy an auto-darkening one. Prices are less than you may think. Click the 'read more' link below.

If you are welding production parts, or have to make several tack welds, an auto darkening welding helmet will pay for itself in no time. And if you are in business for yourself you really are losing money if you don’t have one.

If you are shopping around for a good helmet at a decent price then consider the following requirements:

Variable Shade Control - Din # 9-13
Time from light to dark: 1/20,000 Sec or less
Solar cells with lithium batteries
Variable shade adjustment
A decent sized viewing area (100mm is a good size)

Having a lightweight design is vital, whether you wear it frequently or not. An entry level mask like the Starparts V1-Plus can be bought for under £50. Between this price and £100 masks come with additional features such as grinding mode (allowing you to see clearly through the mask without removing it), auto on/off function and adjustable sensitivity. This Parweld XR915H is a great example of a welding mask with additional features.

Perhaps the best and most highly respected light reactive welding helmets are those made by Speeglas (3M). They include features like heat refraction, ear protection, gas welding and grinding shades and amazing comfort. The Speedglas 9100v is a great example of what I'm talking about. Prices are typically around £175 - £200.

We land another major client

2010-01-05T09:07:00.005Z

We've gone and landed ourselves another blue-chip client, this time in the shape of energy supplier nPower. Having discussed their requirements for maintenance and fabrication they chose to buy our top of the range 400Amp TIG Welder.

This remarkable machine has some truly outstanding specifications and represents exceptional value for money when compared to other similar specification units. We know that building the core of the machine around Siemens power modules (IGBT) gives us reliable, consistent and controllable power delivery every time. nPower add to an ever growing list of well respected companies who like what we do and value our products very highly.

It doesn't seem that long ago we were talking to the Defence Supports Group (DSG) who operate as the maintenance division for the Ministry of Defence. We supplied them with plasma cutting equipment for use in general decommissioning.

New Year madness

2010-01-04T11:13:00.004Z

For some strange reason our first day back in the office has presented us with a mountain of sales orders to process. Great, fantastic, wonderful. However, it's strange to see that 70% of them seem to be for plasma cutters. I wonder whether people have suddenly discovered that they have lots of metal to cut up into small pieces. This is unusual as our trends over the last few months have seen TIG welder sales go through the roof. That's probably because they are bomb-proof and reliable, but them I am biased so I am going to say that aren't I?

As if trawling through a rain forest of paperwork isn't enough to be getting on with the phones are on meltdown. Even the tech department are taking external calls directly - something that never normally happens. Thanks goodness we are busy, we all hate being bored.

Glowing Reviews for Plasma Cutter

2010-01-01T16:23:00.008Z

We had this great independent review for our 30 Amp Plasma Cutter recently. Real reviews from real people...

"Today I am reviewing the Plasma 30C. My first impression of this plasma cutter is very favorable. The metal case panels are resplendent in a bright blue paint and have a very pleasing rolled edge to them. The case is compact and thankfully quite lightweight which is perfect for its strong carry strap fixed top the top.

Connecting via a 240v single phase supply this 30 Amp Plasma Cutter also requires a compressed air supply. Having done this I refer back to the well written instruction manual (I like the use of photographs) to check all was well. Sitting the torch near to the test piece I pressed the torch switch and struck an arc immediately and without fuss thanks to the HF arc start technology. The torch was already to go out of the box. With 30 Amps at my disposal I started with a big cut and placed a sheet of 12mm mild steel on the test bench. The Plasma 30C had no problems getting through this thickness of metal with a reasonable finish (bear in mind that this is its maximum severance cut). The LED display allowed me to keep tabs on the amperage easily. I then went for a piece of 8mm steel and it cut through this like a hot knife through butter with a really clean finish.

I am particularly impressed with the longevity of the consumables supplied with the machine, I have had this plasma cutter in use for most of the day and the tip, electrode and ceramic cup look like they have just been taken out of the box! The 6 metre torch is a good length for me to get round the workshop.

Overall then this new 30 Amp Plasma Cutter from R-Tech Welding leaves me with a very positive impression. It is pleasing to look at, built very well, extremely easy to use and offer outstanding value for money compared to other machines of this specification."

Reviewed by Johnathan Bradbury 2009 johnathan.bradbury@blueyonder.co.uk

The best Christmas present of them all

2009-12-27T10:32:00.002Z

It wasn't so long ago that we all had bags of energy and get-up-and-go. Time, it seems, has a habit of draining this out of you, especially when you never get a break from the hustle and bustle of life. Not that we're complaining of course, you don't get a record-breaking year without sweat, toil and hard work.

However, the sigh of relief was noticeable as the lights went off and the keys in the door jangled. Christmas Eve, it seemed, had arrived - and not a moment too soon. I can speak for all my colleagues when I say that this break over Christmas has been well earned and richly deserved. Despite all the gifts, the catching up with friends, the time spent with the family and the endless food I think that being able to relax and not think about welding equipment and plasma cutters could very well be the best Christmas present of them all.

The most amazing model engineering project

2009-12-23T09:29:00.003Z

I saw this on one of Jeremy Clarkson's programmes some years ago and remember how astounded I was at seeing this work of art that had been created. Admittedly it has little to do with welding (perhaps?) but as engineers and fabricators we can marvel at the detail, craftsmanship and sheer patience it must take to create such an outstanding model. And then there's the sound of that scaled down engine... I've been lucky enough to hear the real thing at the Goodwood Festival of Speed some years ago and, apart from the pitch, there is no difference. Enjoy!

HMS Belfast chooses R-Tech

2009-12-22T15:37:00.004Z

It's not every day we get an enquiry from the people behind one of Britain's finest maritime exhibits. So when we got a call from HMS Belfast for one of our plasma cutters we were thrilled to know that one of our workhorse machines was going to be used on such a historic and popular visitor attraction.

I have done some research on this vessel and found out exactly the kind of history this remarkable ship has had. If you fancy killing five minutes try looking at their official website.

We're stockpiled to cope with demand

2009-12-22T13:01:00.007Z

It's great when your production schedule goes exactly to plan. You know, make the right amount of machines for the amount of sales and enquiries you have. However, the reality for us is that we had (until recently) sold out of most of out TIG welders, MIG welders and plasma cutters before our next schedule had been met. In many ways the fact that demand outstrips supply is good - it shows that our products are good, that people want to buy them and that they put their faith in us to deliver on what we promise. However, in other ways, running out of machines to sell is bad. It doesn't look good that little out-of-stock symbols kept appearing on the site. When we said that massive demand had caught us unawares we meant it.

The good news is though that we now have more stock than ever before on all the machines that we sell. Demand for our welding and cutting machines is still high and continues to grow and grow.

We have had problems with snow though - often waiting for the last important components to get to us and being held up. In many ways nature has not helped us in getting our production schedule rolled forward to cope with increasing demand for our products, but I guess that mother nature has no compassion for our business! Obviously she doesn't do any welding...

IT'S OFFICIAL!!! We grow and grow even in a recession!!!

2009-12-21T09:34:00.003Z

Let's face facts - the economic climate is probably one of the things we would rather forget, especially this close to Christmas. Nobody likes to think that their wallets are shrinking. Yet, since the recession officially began, our industry has suffered more than most. I can think of several big names that have either pulled out of the UK completely or have gone into administration.
It's the same with many small businesses too. Gas suppliers, small wholesalers and distributors have all suffered greatly. So I ask the question of myself?

How have we managed to double our size during a recession?

This is no company "pat on the back". I'm not trying to make ourselves into anything that we aren't. Just posing the question that's all. I mean, there is a reason why our turnover has doubled, a reason why we have doubled the size of our trading warehouse, why we've opened a trade counter, why we are now seeing signs that we are even outgrowing our new premises.

And we are STILL in a recession.

One thing I have noticed is that our attitude towards people is very different to many of our competitors. I can remember calling some companies to make an enquiry into a TIG welder, for instance, and being given unhelpful, often condescending advice down the phone. I can't believe these people don't want my business. It's ridiculous.

You simply cannot treat a customer like anything other than the most important person in the world.

I think that is one of our secrets. Actually, it's no secret at all but it's surprising how often this is forgotten by companies. This is a way of life for us, not just some force fed company policy. Our team of people genuinely believe in what we do as a passion and not just a job. That makes all the difference. Try phoning us and you'll see what I mean. We are real people doing what we do best - making and selling welders and plasma cutters.

Oh and of course then there's the decision to sell direct to the end user - but I'll save that one for another time.

The welders' blog is go!

2009-12-21T09:18:00.001Z

Fantastic news! Our blog has finally been launched. Here we hope to provide news, updates, chat, tips and other interesting content for anyone who welds or cuts things.

Providing a platform, outside of the usual forums, for us to blog about our work at R-Tech is going to prove very beneficial to anyone who wants to learn more about welding and cutting processes and also more about what we get up to.

But let's not get carried away on some corporate roller-coaster. That's not what this blog is about. Here you'll get honest posts about real-life, the real world and of course the really good things we do for our customers. We are proud of what we do and how we do it. Want to see for yourself? Then click R-Tech Welding and see what all the fuss is about. Oh, and I'll say hello officially, my name is Ed. I write the blog posts and other things besides.