R-Tech I-MIG160 MIG Operation Instructions Manual - page 12

Operating the Machine in MIG mode 

Once you have set machine up as per above instructions.  

1. Select welding voltage (power) required on front panel  

2. Select wire feed speed required on ‘wire speed’ knob   

3. Set ARC force switch to middle position for medium weld inductance (know as choke on 

traditional welding power sources)   Low setting = Soft ARC (less splatter & penetration)  

High setting = Strong ARC (more penetration)  

4. Ensure you are wearing the correct safety clothes & equipment for welding (I.E Welding 

mask, gloves, apron etc)   

5. Press torch trigger to start welding process and adjust welding current knob to adjust wire 

feed accordingly.   Note: You can finely adjust the welding current knob to fine tune weld 

arc length to either DIP or SPRAY welding  DIP is when the wire is melting very close to 

the workpiece (Short arc length)  SPRAY is when the wire is melting far away from 

workpiece (Long arc length)  

6. When welding actual voltage and amperage will be shown in corresponding LED display 

meters on machine   

1. Tips on welding aluminium  

When welding aluminium as the wire is much softer than steel wire you have to fit a 

Teflon liner in place of the steel liner in MIG torch, this is so the wire feeds much 

smoother and stops it snarling at rollers.  To fit a Teflon liner, remove steel liner from 

torch and fit Teflon liner so you have about 10 inches left coming out end of MIG 

torch at the machine end. In the brass euro body where torch fits onto you will see a 

brass guide tube, remove this tube (you will have to remove circlip to allow this) and 

fit torch to machine and cut off excess Teflon liner as required. You want the Teflon 

liner to get as close to the wire feed rollers as possible. Best way to cut liner is with a 

sharp knife blade.  Adjust the wire tensioner to minimum pressure and tighten down 

until wire is gripped, too much pressure will deform wire and end up with snarls by 

rollers.  The IMIG 160 is fitted with rollers suitable for both steel and alloy wire as 

standard. Fit oversize welding tip. These are available and have and ‘A’ after tip size. 

I.E 0.8A where as for steel wire it would just say 0.8   

2. Tips on using gasless wire   

When using gasless wire is may be required to change the polarity of the arc. This 

can be done simply by reversing the cables inside wire feed cabinet  Gas wire = 

Positive torch   –   Negative  work (machine is set as standard) Gasless wire = 

Negative torch  –  Positive earth