versatile mig

[Rickyboy]

hi everyone, new to the forum, so sorry if repeating old threads but....
i'm looking for a mig welder for my workshop. it needs it to be versatile welding everything from 1mm-10mm mild steel, single phase and cheap. i've only got about £400 to spare so i guess i'm looking at second hand. any suggestions on what to look for in terms of make, model and spec and where to find it? thanks

 

[Lawnmowerboy]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mig-210-Amp-Gas-Welder-Euro-Turbo-Fan-Torch-Professional-Workshop-SWP-9328T-K-/120843789154?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item1c22d9e362#ht_3698wt_942

this any gud? it's made by swp and weldequip sells some of their stuff i think so it must be alright

this will probarbly stretch to 10mm with good prep first

its a eurotorch machine so thas a thing in it's fiavour

gas you can use pub Co2 which is dirt cheap if you know where to look

welcome to the forum BTW


will

 

[oddbob]

I came across this one on hebay when I was looking for a welder a while back, then I noticed this in the small print of the listing...

"A 1 PLANT SALES LTD will not guarantee that the pictures used on any of our listing will be the exact same product supplied. We sell our products with the full intension of ensuring, the brand or similar quality listed is supplied, and the product supplied meets the information as described within the listing. Please ensure that you have understood this before making your purchase."

hhhmmmmmm.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Hope your workshop has suitable wiring provision for running a welder of that capacity.

 

[Ducky]

"A 1 PLANT SALES LTD will not guarantee that the pictures used on any of our listing will be the exact same product supplied. We sell our products with the full intension of ensuring, the brand or similar quality listed is supplied, and the product supplied meets the information as described within the listing. Please ensure that you have understood this before making your purchase."

hhhmmmmmm.

I guess if the auction is advertising an SWP for sale then that's what you should receive, even if the picture is taken from a catalogue. Can't imagine they would get away with supplying a cheap knock-off mig instead.

I would prolly buy from Weldequip myself...

 

[Wozzaaah]

You'll need much more than a 210 amp mig welder for 10mm if you want it to last in an industrial environment, more like 300+.
What size single phase supply can your workshop provide to a welder? It's no good us pointing you towards machines if you can't supply enough juice to run them.

 

[oilcooled :)]

id rate that machine as being comfortably able to do 6mm, but i wouldnt like to be doing a lot of 10mm with it, be too much to ask from it. duty cycle is false 15% @ maxs amps, i find it fine, had no wire feed issues or nothing yet, and have used a big roll of wire already, but i will trade it as soon as i get money again for a bigger machine,

 

[Rickyboy]

Thanks for replies guys!!
I'll look into that SWP Redline 210, but i'm a bit worried about top end power and low duty cycle (15% apparently), and only goes down to 45amps. I might be able to up my budget to £600 at a push, already got gas, so that's not in the budget, and power supply is 230v 32amp. Fitting 16amp-32amp sockets shouldn't be too much of a problem. I won't be doing loads of 10mm, mainly 2mm-6mm, but would be nice if a machine could handle 10mm if needs be.
Will my budget stretch to 300+amps?
Been looking at these welders, any thoughts...
SWP mig220 from weldequip, (a bit over budget tho)
Clarke 220TE/230TEC from Machine Mart (within budget on VAT free day)
Thanks again for all replies!!!

 

[Lawnmowerboy]

for £500 youl get a portamig, british made and a low end of 15 amps!

 

[Country Joe]

for £500 youl get a portamig

That's what I'd do. I'd stretch it to another £39, and go for the 215, or even the 235.
All the Best,
CJ

 

[steviec_lj]

for £500 youl get a portamig, british made and a low end of 15 amps!

Where from? Weldequip sells them at nearer £600 for the 185..

 

[octo0072000]

portamigs

portamig see link

http://www.weldequip.com/portamig-mig-welders.htm

i would save the bit extra for a 235 one you dont want to have to buy one only to have to update as you find it's not up to what you need

 

[oilcooled :)]

portamig see link

http://www.weldequip.com/portamig-mig-welders.htm

i would save the bit extra for a 235 one you dont want to have to buy one only to have to update as you find it's not up to what you need

thats still 600 pound, are you on about getting the vat back lawnmowerboy?

 

[Lawnmowerboy]

yhep sorry didnt explain it properly...

 

[slimjim]

I use a clarke 250TE single phase at work, and I find it a fantastic machine, not up to welding structural 10mm, and blows the 13 amp fuse over 130amp on the 30 amp to domestic extension, but works fine up to max if plugged directly into a 30 amp circuit, it's nothing like the hobby clarke's, euroconnector and fully metal industrial quality wire feed,

and I bought it used for £250, with a full bottle of gas and a decent auto helmet, so they do come up!

still prefer my own portamig though

 

[Wendelspanswick]

Rotec sell TecArc made welders, 211 should be in your price bracket, don't forget to add Vat.
http://www.rotecweldingequipment.co.uk/acatalog/TecArc_Compact_Mig_Welding_Machines.html