Hi all, hoping I may get some advice. Looking for a mig welder ideally that will run from mains socket or socket via transformer. I will be working with a variety of material so looking for I think min around 30A and going up to give me the greatest range possible going up to 5mm hopefully. I was looking for a gas mig ideally not one set for the tiny disposable canisters. Ability to use flux cable (no gas) would be advantageous but certainly not essential as I'm not sure i would use this. Looking for advice on a reliable machine but for the cheapest I can get covering these criteria. Many thanks in advance should any advice find its way
- Thread starter James01
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Thanks yeah trawling the forum, and been looking into it for a little while. I have an idea what specs i am after however power setup outside mains supply i am unsure of and brand quality reliability as I'm used to using machines in the workshop at work where none of this is of concern to me
gaz1
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if you want long lasting mig then i have to go with the blue clarks 150 goes up to 5mm
www.machinemart.co.uk
can weld thin sheet with a little experience
the digital ones cant say that
as goes for gas cylinder if you think it only fits the tiny disposable canisters your mistaken that is up to the user upgrading the gas regulator
Clarke MIG151EN 150 Amp Turbo No Gas/Gas MIG Welder - Machine Mart
www.machinemart.co.uk
can weld thin sheet with a little experience
the digital ones cant say that
as goes for gas cylinder if you think it only fits the tiny disposable canisters your mistaken that is up to the user upgrading the gas regulator
Munkul
Jack of some trades, Master of none
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What do you mean by "power setup outside mains supply" and "socket via transformer"?
You'll get most MIG sets to run up to 160 amps on a 13 amp plug, up to 200+ on a 16 amp plug. That's actual amps rather than machine capacity.
You'll get most MIG sets to run up to 160 amps on a 13 amp plug, up to 200+ on a 16 amp plug. That's actual amps rather than machine capacity.
So showing my lack of understanding power here, I have a 110 transformer although i don't think any welders would use this and power setup i meant the likes of anything that would require more than an adapter or transformer, in rented property and will hopefully be buying a house later this year so don't want to spend money setting up new power running to garage
Pigeon_Droppings2
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The Kemppi evo 200 will run at full power off a 13A plug....they now recommend 16A but I run mine off a 13A with no problems up to 5mm mild steel.
Its not a cheap machine thought!
Its not a cheap machine thought!
Clarke MIG151EN 150 Amp Turbo No Gas/Gas MIG Welder - Machine Mart
www.machinemart.co.uk
Reliable and can be found in various states of 'used' condition, sometimes for under £100.
Cobbler
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They are just covering themselves. If used on the top power setting, it might blow occasional 13a fuse in the plug. Several of us on here run them no problem, just make sure is a good quality plug & keep a few fuses just in case, not a pound shop special.
arther dailey
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it all depends on how much you are willing to spend really, clarke 151 second hand say £135/190, secondhand portamig or tec arc around £395/450 or say inverter kemppi miniarc mig if you can find a second hand one £650 ish. the more you spend the more options you get , pretty much your whole life is dictated that way
, all if set up correctly will weld great just the more you spend the easier (should be) to set up and use ,well theoretically. clarke are a really good starting point for the monies and as many on here will testify weld very well.
if you can get someone who knows the score to go with when you look at a purchase, and above all ,test it ! doesnt matter if the guy is very nice, still test it. only believe what you see it can do.
, all if set up correctly will weld great just the more you spend the easier (should be) to set up and use ,well theoretically. clarke are a really good starting point for the monies and as many on here will testify weld very well.if you can get someone who knows the score to go with when you look at a purchase, and above all ,test it ! doesnt matter if the guy is very nice, still test it. only believe what you see it can do.
Yes. A disadvantage of step-switched MIG welders is the absence of continuously-variable welding power. This is especially noticeable in lower-spec machines, with maybe just 4 coarse steps; professional machines can have 8 or 12 steps.
To avoid this issue, you need to consider that this is one of the advantages of inverter MIG welders, which have fully-variable power output.
Pigeon_Droppings2
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In my opinion a novice will have a more difficult time setting up a machine with discrete power...an experienced welder can weld with most machines as they can look/hear what needs adjusting.
Plenty of inverter machines available with continuously variable power...a few people have the autostar 160 which comes with a good warranty (it's also a cheaper rebrand of a more expensive Jasic I believe).
Depends what you are planning to do with it....I do a lot of Jap cars and butt welded repairs (0.8mm steel)...having an auto machine means I can tweak the settings as I'm going along and the machine adjusts everything for me. The Kemppi can weld down to 0.5mm so I'm usually not using it on lowest but I have some room if I need it (ie if I run into a thin area)
