Ok I've spent the last two days searching and reading, I've also spent some time yesterday speaking to the chat box on welding supplies direct. I'm pretty sure my decision is made but I'd like any pros or cons that you have for anything I've maybe missed.
The mig will only ever be used for car body work we have a big Miller that I can get use of if I need anything over 5mm. Ideally I'd like it to run off my 5kva Honda engined genny, as it'll spend a lot of time welding up one of my mini's which don't have mains power of the sheds they are in, and putting mains into those sheds isn't an option for a number of reasons.
I've been using a sip130 and I'm sure a better welder will help me, I can get on ok with the sip but butt welds are really difficult with it, plug weds are ok. I've sold it to a mate that I worked with so I'm using that to help fund the upgrade
My choice i think is between the following.
Gys smartmig 162
Clarke 151en
The gys is 390 to my door with a regulator, the clarke is 265 or 220 on a vat free buy but will need a reg and Gas kit call that another £50 so max the 151 would be £315 and potentially £270
I like the gys as as it has a euro torch a 40w feed motor 2 yr warranty ability to weld without gas, I'll be honest I'm unlikely to b but you never know. I can't find that many reviews or videos on them though and it's a chunk more expensive. I could look at the smartmig 152 which is the 142 with a euro torch but it's not sold by welding supplies direct.
The Clarke I like as it's cheap, and that's really the only thing it has over the gys for me but there is a lot to be said for that when it is really a hobby tool that will get used but I'm not relying on it for a wage!
I'm looking to get one ordered on Monday/ order some stuff from MM that I need anyway and wait for a VAT free code to land in my inbox.
So is the gys worth the extra? it's the top of my budget so an extra £50 for this or that isn't really an option, I will happily look at a originally more expensive 2nd hand machine around this price that's not miles away but really I want to get sorted this next week as I have a pair of sills to replace on my mini.
Thanks for any advice
The mig will only ever be used for car body work we have a big Miller that I can get use of if I need anything over 5mm. Ideally I'd like it to run off my 5kva Honda engined genny, as it'll spend a lot of time welding up one of my mini's which don't have mains power of the sheds they are in, and putting mains into those sheds isn't an option for a number of reasons.
I've been using a sip130 and I'm sure a better welder will help me, I can get on ok with the sip but butt welds are really difficult with it, plug weds are ok. I've sold it to a mate that I worked with so I'm using that to help fund the upgrade
My choice i think is between the following.
Gys smartmig 162
Clarke 151en
The gys is 390 to my door with a regulator, the clarke is 265 or 220 on a vat free buy but will need a reg and Gas kit call that another £50 so max the 151 would be £315 and potentially £270
I like the gys as as it has a euro torch a 40w feed motor 2 yr warranty ability to weld without gas, I'll be honest I'm unlikely to b but you never know. I can't find that many reviews or videos on them though and it's a chunk more expensive. I could look at the smartmig 152 which is the 142 with a euro torch but it's not sold by welding supplies direct.
The Clarke I like as it's cheap, and that's really the only thing it has over the gys for me but there is a lot to be said for that when it is really a hobby tool that will get used but I'm not relying on it for a wage!
I'm looking to get one ordered on Monday/ order some stuff from MM that I need anyway and wait for a VAT free code to land in my inbox.
So is the gys worth the extra? it's the top of my budget so an extra £50 for this or that isn't really an option, I will happily look at a originally more expensive 2nd hand machine around this price that's not miles away but really I want to get sorted this next week as I have a pair of sills to replace on my mini.
Thanks for any advice