Views on Machine Mart welders

[Richie mac]

Hi guys .....just a quick question although I suspect I may may know the answer could you guys give me your views on the Machine Mart range of welders or give a decent alternative? I'm undecided on mig or tig as haven't much experience of either but looking to replace my old &tired 30+ yr old arc machine ...... It's all going to be a learning curve for me so a decent starter set capable of working upto 4-5mm is my aim I think! Many thanks fella's

 

[Tom Orrow L]

They're mostly Clarke which ain't too bad. Although you'll find better options if you have a budget of around £500 for 5MM

Oxford 180-1 maybe?

 

[weldequip]

Some of their smaller DIY sets are excellent, above a certain size there are much better alternatives; Tom Orrow L's range of gear here.
What do you want to be doing with it?

 

[cumbriasteve]

I have the Clarke 135TE and it is excellent, I use it mainly on light work with the occasional 5mm welding.

If I was to be welding 4mm and over on a regular basis I would be wanting a 180 amp machine to ensure I had the top end power and it would not be a Clarke, I think the best of their range are the 160 amp and below.

MM is not Clarkes, they simply sell them as do many other distributors, so don't think you have to buy off them to get one of the Clarke range, although they often do a VAT free offer which makes the prices very attractive.

As highlighted above though, your intended budget and use are the main criteria, if you have no specific use for TIG then MIG is the way to go as a starter upgrade from an old buzz box, some MIG's also have an MMA function so you have the best of both welds.

Don't rush, study the forum a lot and once you think you know what is best for you then ask again and see if others agree, I wish I had when I started with a MIG, would have stopped me buying a handy door stop.

 

[Richie mac]

Thanks guys. I built a wood burner 18 months ago from a gas bottle but having learned loads from the build now wanna build another that's more aesthetically pleasing lol...... Plus the jobs I've been putting of all summer ie trailer repairs, bigger backbench the list is endless right now

 

[cumbriasteve]

You don't mention any thin metal projects there, have you considered an MMA inverter, a big difference from your present arc set, great to use and cheaper than a decent MIG.

 

[weldequip]

MM is not Clarkes, they simply sell them as do many other distributors

Yes it is, one and the same.

As highlighted above though, your intended budget and use are the main criteria, if you have no specific use for TIG then MIG is the way to go

We don't know what he wants to do with it yet!

 

[Richie mac]

Thanks for the advice guys...... I don't generally work with any thin metals so I'll take a look around thanks for the heads up on the MMA Cumbriasteve I hadn't considered that

 

[weldequip]

Inverter Arc welder for >2mm thickness up to 10m thickness can be had for 200 beer tokens for something decent, equivalent MIG would be much more for the top end capability but would score on thin material <1mm

 

[Tinbasherdan]

I'd take a look at the thermal arc fabricator 181 , cracking little mig and stick machine. About 600 notes brand new and streets ahead of the Clarke crap. I have one and it never fails me

 

[cumbriasteve]

We don't know what he wants to do with it yet!

That's why I wrote:

your intended budget and use are the main criteria

or did you miss reading that part?

I then also suggested the MMA when it appears there may be no requirement for thin metal welding.

It was on going advice as more info was revealed.

 

[weldequip]

I must of yes. Like quantum physics at school, missed a lot of that; that's why I don't go on relevant forums professing to know all about it

 

[cumbriasteve]

Thanks for the advice guys...... I don't generally work with any thin metals so I'll take a look around thanks for the heads up on the MMA Cumbriasteve I hadn't considered that

I have one myself, a nice little 140amp.

I am getting very close to thinking it is all I need now with the small amount of work I do and like you I don't do any thin metal work, also means I could hand back the gas bottle.

Also means the day after I do, I will find I have some 1mm to weld as is bound to be the case.

 

[Richie mac]

If it helps guys I guess my budget at this minute could be anywhere between 200-500 with maybe a view to upgrading as my experience/desire grows ........ Would allow more but already bought a cnc router in the last yr so justifying more to her who must be obeyed might prove tricky

 

[Richie mac]

Just file it in the "never know when you might Need it cupboard steve......tis what I do

 

[cumbriasteve]

Not a bad budget which will have some limitations but still important to know what materials and thickness you 'think' you need the machine for, remembering of course once you upgrade then your use may also go in the same direction.

The MMA inverters can also do basic TIG but I can't really help much on that as I have no TIG experience.

pdg has also thrown a spanner into the conversation, he is right though, you can find very good used machines out there, care has to be taken if considering buying and the help of someone experienced is essential.

 

[Freddy0309]

Why not buy an arc welder that can tig weld? That way if you decide you want to tig weld the options there?

Whoops cumbriasteve beat me to it

 

[Richie mac]

pdg I had considered that route still might for a decent machine at the right price if I could find 1 localish....... Have ppe and a shiny New auto mask begging to be used......if anyone in the Essex area has a machine to sell feel free to tempt me

 

[Freddy0309]

I have an r-tech 160dc tig welder, this I the machine I learnt/still learning on, can't fault it, arc welds lovely and for just over £400 you get everything you need bar the gas bottle and filler rods

 

[Freddy0309]

Im not selling it lol r-tech are http://www.r-techwelding.co.uk/tig-welder-240v-dc-160amp/ brand new and 2 years warranty