Clarke MIG120 Multi 120A MIG/MMA/TIG vs SIP 130 Weldmate AutoPlus 130A MIG/ARC/TIG Synergic

[brad_masters]

I can't decide between the SIP Weldmate Autoplus 130A Synergic (£270) and the Clarke MIG120 Multi (currently on offer for £175 at Machine Mart). Is anyone able to steer me towards one or the other? I have not used a Synergic welder so don't know how intuitive the program is that decides the settings for you? This is going to be a welder used mainly for automotive body panels and circa 3-4mm bracketry and not in constant use. It will also need to operate off a normal household 13A socket.

SIP 130A Synergic owners - Do you find the Synergic function a "must have". What's the thinest panel you have welded - I've noticed the output current is 50A - 130A so was thinking that's a bit high for thin sheet metal?

Clarke MIG120 Multi owners - Are you happy with your machine? Any regrets you didn't spend a bit more on amperage and Synergic function?

Thanks

 

[J.F]

Neither to be honest
Have a look at this

SIP WELDMATE® AUTOPLUS 160A MIG/ARC/TIG Synergic Welder 05738

Visit our store and explore our range of Building & Landscaping Materials, Hand Tools & Power Tools, Paint & Decorating Supplies, Machine Equipment & Workwear

ocldirect.co.uk

It 20 amps to 160A
I've just bought one and will post a review in a couple of weeks.
But you'll never do 4mm on 130A.
Comes with 1.5mm cable so you could stick a plug on it and probably pop fuses at full power, or a blue 16A plug then uses an adapter.
The 20a setting should be good for thin stuff.
Honestly been there done that with a welder with built in torch and there too short and small. I've had an r tech 180 for over 10 years which has finally died. I don't do as much welding nowadays days so can't justify the £750 they now want.
But I'd always buy a euro torch and the higher power gives a better duty cycle.

 

[brad_masters]

Neither to be honest
Have a look at this

SIP WELDMATE® AUTOPLUS 160A MIG/ARC/TIG Synergic Welder 05738

Visit our store and explore our range of Building & Landscaping Materials, Hand Tools & Power Tools, Paint & Decorating Supplies, Machine Equipment & Workwear

ocldirect.co.uk

It 20 amps to 160A
I've just bought one and will post a review in a couple of weeks.
But you'll never do 4mm on 130A.
Comes with 1.5mm cable so you could stick a plug on it and probably pop fuses at full power, or a blue 16A plug then uses an adapter.
The 20a setting should be good for thin stuff.
Honestly been there done that with a welder with built in torch and there too short and small. I've had an r tech 180 for over 10 years which has finally died. I don't do as much welding nowadays days so can't justify the £750 they now want.
But I'd always buy a euro torch and the higher power gives a better duty cycle.

This is great feedback. One of the things I was considering was whether to go Euro torch and I was already considering £270ish for the SIP130A which doesn't come with a Euro torch and it's 2m cable as opposed to 3m for the Euro torch. My lack of knowledge on the electrical supply is my only concern. I actually have a blue 16A converter cable that I made up for camping with a 13A domestic plug on the other end. If im connecting to a normal 13A household socket, how do I ensure that I don't exceed the limit for the circuit. Assuming the MCB would take care of that for me ... but I hate assuming?

 

[tom2207]

go look at some of the recent threads ,,,, hit box ticks all your boxes , humble money

you can turn a bigger welder down to be less , you cant turn a smaller welder up to be more.

 

[eddie49]

Actually both the SIP and the Clarke that you linked to are synergic welders.
The Clarke has a single dial which controls both the output voltage and the wire speed, in accordance with a pre-programmed ratio, map, or algorithm. Sometimes the dial is calibrated in millimetres of material thickness.
The SIP has the same type of control on the left, and on the right there is a centre-zero manual "trimming" adjustment for voltage, which appears to have a wide +5v/-5v range. Having a trim option is a desirable feature, especially since the preset ratio may not be well executed, and may not apply to all welding situations. It is debatable whether synergic control is good or bad, especially for beginners. A traditional two-dial machine, with separate controls for output voltage and wire speed, allows you to learn the fundamentals of MIG welding. Some synergic welders, even low-end ones like the "Dirty Pro", also offer fully-manual mode.

The low-end current rating for the SIP Weldmate Autoplus 130A is listed as 20 Amps.

Both those machines, with their low maximum current outputs, are overpriced.

For bracketry and other work on thicker material, nearly all inverter welders also offer Arc ( MMA ) welding.

On a normal 13A ring main socket you can MIG weld up to 160 Amps without problems:

Thread 'Suggestions for welders running off 13amp plug'

Dec 6, 2016

Hey folks
Probably asked loads already but a suggestion on Mig welders that will safely run on a 13amp socket. From reading it's under 150amps i believe ? Just some odd work on 4-6mm metal...gates, barbacue, wheelbarrow some off bits to keep me entertained....gas and gasless preferably

• Lordspectre
• Replies: 69
• forum: Buying a Welder

Regarding attached vs. detachable torches, this recent thread:

R

Thread 'Budget first welder'

Nov 3, 2025

Hi folks. Total newbie here looking to buy a budget machine to try out welding with.
U.K. based, running of 13 amp 240 home supply, welding outside 2 mm up to 6mm mild steel.
Cheap machine to get going I’m thinking.
If I get into it then I would upgrade later and if I’m terrible it can sit in the shed and I won’t feel to bad about it.

I’ve been looking at these 3 machines and would love feedback.

160A MIG/TIG & MMA (ARC/STICK) Inverter Welder | MINIMIG160i | Sealey

1 Year Guarantee - IGBT Inverter fan-cooled DC power supply for MIG/TIG and MMA/ARC welding applications up to 160A.

www.sealey.co.uk

...

• RabLamont
• Replies: 21
• forum: Buying a Welder

and the follow-on:

G

Thread 'Hello! Looking for intro advice'

Nov 17, 2025

Hi all, I’m looking for some advice on what type of machine to buy for my needs.

I’m brand new to welding, but consider myself on the upper scale of handy. I’m looking to make my own ‘stuff’ for the garden, initially starting with mild steel lawn/bed edging (3mm thick, maybe thicker), and may move onto other things like fruit cages, troughs, water features etc. I have zero plans to do any car welding etc, so I guess what I’m saying is, rough looking welds don’t matter too much at the moment, but if I can pick up the skill, there’s loads of things I’d like to make.
My understanding is...

• Gardenwelder
• Replies: 18
• forum: Buying a Welder

• 

shows that you can get a decent 160 or 200 Amp machine with a Euro torch at a very reasonable price.

 

[brad_masters]

Actually both the SIP and the Clarke that you linked to are synergic welders.
The Clarke has a single dial which controls both the output voltage and the wire speed, in accordance with a pre-programmed ratio, map, or algorithm. Sometimes the dial is calibrated in millimetres of material thickness.
The SIP has the same type of control on the left, and on the right there is a centre-zero manual "trimming" adjustment for voltage, which appears to have a wide +5v/-5v range. Having a trim option is a desirable feature, especially since the preset ratio may not be well executed, and may not apply to all welding situations. It is debatable whether synergic control is good or bad, especially for beginners. A traditional two-dial machine, with separate controls for output voltage and wire speed, allows you to learn the fundamentals of MIG welding. Some synergic welders, even low-end ones like the "Dirty Pro", also offer fully-manual mode.

The low-end current rating for the SIP Weldmate Autoplus 130A is listed as 20 Amps.

Both those machines, with their low maximum current outputs, are overpriced.

For bracketry and other work on thicker material, nearly all inverter welders also offer Arc ( MMA ) welding.

On a normal 13A ring main socket you can MIG weld up to 160 Amps without problems:

Thread 'Suggestions for welders running off 13amp plug'

Dec 6, 2016

Hey folks
Probably asked loads already but a suggestion on Mig welders that will safely run on a 13amp socket. From reading it's under 150amps i believe ? Just some odd work on 4-6mm metal...gates, barbacue, wheelbarrow some off bits to keep me entertained....gas and gasless preferably

• Lordspectre
• Replies: 69
• forum: Buying a Welder

Regarding attached vs. detachable torches, this recent thread:

R

Thread 'Budget first welder'

Nov 3, 2025

Hi folks. Total newbie here looking to buy a budget machine to try out welding with.
U.K. based, running of 13 amp 240 home supply, welding outside 2 mm up to 6mm mild steel.
Cheap machine to get going I’m thinking.
If I get into it then I would upgrade later and if I’m terrible it can sit in the shed and I won’t feel to bad about it.

I’ve been looking at these 3 machines and would love feedback.

160A MIG/TIG & MMA (ARC/STICK) Inverter Welder | MINIMIG160i | Sealey

1 Year Guarantee - IGBT Inverter fan-cooled DC power supply for MIG/TIG and MMA/ARC welding applications up to 160A.

www.sealey.co.uk

...

• RabLamont
• Replies: 21
• forum: Buying a Welder

and the follow-on:

G

Thread 'Hello! Looking for intro advice'

Nov 17, 2025

Hi all, I’m looking for some advice on what type of machine to buy for my needs.

I’m brand new to welding, but consider myself on the upper scale of handy. I’m looking to make my own ‘stuff’ for the garden, initially starting with mild steel lawn/bed edging (3mm thick, maybe thicker), and may move onto other things like fruit cages, troughs, water features etc. I have zero plans to do any car welding etc, so I guess what I’m saying is, rough looking welds don’t matter too much at the moment, but if I can pick up the skill, there’s loads of things I’d like to make.
My understanding is...

• Gardenwelder
• Replies: 18
• forum: Buying a Welder

• 

shows that you can get a decent 160 or 200 Amp machine with a Euro torch at a very reasonable price.

Thanks for taking the time to collate all that info and apologies for the slow response. I was working the weekend and spent a good part of today reading your response and the threads you linked to. I now have a longer list of machines to decide between but price has improved significantly.