Considering starting out but not sure what I need?

[SHogan]

While I have no reason to doubt that his machine stopped working I'm also aware that buying something from the other end of Europe on eBay does involve a bit of a gamble, irrespective of whatever consumer rights may be in force. Additionally there's always two sides to a story and the only side we've got is from someone who can't focus a camera and thinks the earth may be flat. As such I didn't really pay a huge amount of attention to his review.
If I'd come across a lot of negative comments about this specific company then I would have steered clear but at the end of the day the argument usually boils down to Chinese vs non-Chinese welders and the risk involved.
In the grand scheme of things I'd love a Kemppi or an Oxford but I have neither the skill, and perhaps more importantly the funds to get one!

 

[Richard.]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tig-welde...779263?hash=item2a609191ff:g:ZzIAAOSwsFpWTIO3

Not sure I would "get on" with a machine which had stopped working, and the seller ignoring emails? Must be down to the buyer being barmy......................lol

Subject done to death chris. There must be 3 threads now including one started by the guy with the problem.

 

[cumbriasteve]

Sorry folks but this thread is not going to be allowed to turn into one of the usual Chinese/Import/UK good and bad threads.

There are plenty of the same if anyone wants to read them, It ruins the persons post and results in a can't win discussion that get's heated and the outcome is another locked thread.

 

[PTvor]

I've just picked up my first welding set-up and tried to do it as inexpensively as possible. I looked around a lot to see what was available and it's amazing how the costs of the ancillaries soon add up.

Gloves - ESAB gauntlets on eBay - £6
Mask - sif LITE from eBay (as suggested by another member on another thread) - £22.50
Gas regulator - *removed for legal reasons* on eBay - £20
Wire - eBay - £12ish for a 5kg reel
Gas flow meter (the pea shooter type) - eBay £6
Gas and gas pipe - BOC Volkszone deal - Initial outlay for first year rental and Argoshield light (Y size) - £90

I bought some other odds and sods like extra tips and shrouds and a CO2 fire extinguisher but the OP may already have a fire extinguisher so I won't add that on to the list of costs.

Then there was the welder which was a Chinese job from TigMig on eBay that cost a total of around £195 (inc P&P) but I'll put up some pics on another thread.

Adding all that up so far I've spent the thick end of £350 but hopefully shouldn't have to spend much more in the next year or so but let's see! If you don't have any of the extra bits and they don't come as part of a second hand deal then you'd be doing well to get everything you need for £250; it's the extras that'll tip you over the edge! That having been said let us know how you get on and good luck!

So approximately £150 for everything excluding the welder and that included a fair amount bought cheaply on ebay.

I still think think the O/P would be struggling to get set up, with a sensible argon/CO2 gas supply for £250, but it could just about be done with patience and some good buys turning up. £300 seems a bit more likely, half for the welder and half for the rest.

 

[SHogan]

So approximately £150 for everything excluding the welder and that included a fair amount bought cheaply on ebay.

I still think think the O/P would be struggling to get set up, with a sensible argon/CO2 gas supply for £250, but it could just about be done with patience and some good buys turning up. £300 seems a bit more likely, half for the welder and half for the rest.

I'd certainly be inclined to agree with you on that but there are occasional deals out there where the seller is getting rid of everything which may include a mask, gloves, regulator and other bits and bobs. The gas is likely to be the biggest additional cost but the OP may be able to get hold of a cheap supply which could either be disposable cylinders or pub gas. Alternatively they could go gasless which may be cheaper but less desirable.

 

[winchman]

I started out with a battered Cebora machine from my local Snap on man for £100, I currently use a Draper version of it bought at a car boot sale for £30. I use a Pub co2 bottle about £20 I think. Cheap Aldi grinder.
It can be done by shopping around, remember if you give up the mig will get its cost back if purchased used
Heres a used one in leeds
https://www.gumtree.com/p/welding-equipment/mig-welder/1152838762
Grinder
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-4-A-A...958973?hash=item2c6808a8bd:g:ol8AAMXQCtlRUyyJ
Mask
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Solar-Pow...641337?hash=item28057b09b9:g:eQ8AAOSwxN5WVU4j

 

[PTvor]

I think it's a question of how you regard initial costs, ongoing costs and recoverable costs such as deposits on refillable cylinders and how strictly you stick to the budget and how you regard the budget - as what you need to set up for a year say, or just initial set up and ongoing costs are something else.

Disposable cylinders are likely to work out much more expensive than almost any refillable cylinder solution in cost per minute, but they would mean you could weld and not bust the budget. OK if you knew exactly what you were doing, had to weld at home and knew you wouldn't be welding much. However, in general they are a terrible and very expensive way to obtain gas.

There's always the pub gas solution which would be cheaper, £60?, or less depending on your luck and maybe what was chucked in with the welder.

Yes, just about doable for £250 with a reasonable amount of luck and patience.

 

[gaz1]

dont be put off if your wanting to learn mig welding I didnt hence the 2 links of mine

depends on how much you wait some bargains do come up on ebay as ive already been there myself

the main thing with second hand is make sure it does work

sip have the wire feed issues i have the 150 gas and gasless

clarkes are bog standared either feed motor or new liner not much goes wrong with them i also have a 150 tm

either machine is fine but i prefer a little more power hence why i bought 150 machines gives a little more to play with than machines with lower rating on them

one of my machines will be up for sale once I have the funds for another machine as i will be upgrading to a better machine just not at this moment in time

 

[Jay Cartay]

Hi all, really great info so far and much appreciated. Budget could certainly flex a bit if need be but the £250 is for the welder itself. Extras I will sort out separately.

That Clarke 151TE in the Gumtree ad looks great for that price. Would it be a good machine to start with? Someone elsewhere told me a Wolf Mig 140 would be good enough for my needs but I'm sceptical about that based on what I've read here up to now. Seems too cheap for a start?

I'd definitely buy that Clarke if you guys think it might be OK. As I'm a bit OCD, I'll have to replace anything that needs sorting as a matter of course. Haven't had a chance to look into gas bottle options at all yet. I am waiting on a response to a Level 1 welding course I have seen in Leeds....

 

[Jay Cartay]

It can be, but obviously £150 is very appealing.

 

[gaz1]

that clarke is just down the rd from me always go with you if you need any help with it could also let you have a go at both of mine if you want to do

even at buying new

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/mig151en-turbo-no-gas-mig-welder/

sometimes using gasless wire outside comes in handy

 

[Jay Cartay]

that clarke is just down the rd from me always go with you if you need any help with it could also let you have a go at both of mine if you want to do

Cheers, I might just take you up on that! Low Moor is Bradford isn't it? I've emailed the guy to see what if he still has it.

 

[Jay Cartay]

For £150, I'd buy the sealey off @Tiggy_dorset over a clarke 151.

Yeah but I could get the same unit brand new for £189, and by the time I had that one of his delivered I'd wonder why I didn't in all honesty.

 

[cumbriasteve]

If the Clarke is in good condition then that's a very fair price for what is probably the best of their range, I have the Clarke 135 and it's an excellent machine.

You can always find better but if a mig does what you want, is easy to get consumables for and was cheap to buy then better does not mean a terrific amount.

I had what many would say was a better machine before I downsized, no difference in my welds or the reliability of the machine.

Other good hobby machines are the Butters, Cebora, and Snap On (rebadged Cebora) to name some, the Wolf I would not consider at all.

 

[gaz1]

Cheers, I might just take you up on that! Low Moor is Bradford isn't it? I've emailed the guy to see what if he still has it.

yeah its bd12 area other side of odsal top richard duns to m606 m62 areas

 

[Jay Cartay]

If the Clarke is in good condition then that's a very fair price for what is probably the best of their range, I have the Clarke 135 and it's an excellent machine.

You can always find better but if a mig does what you want, is easy to get consumables for and was cheap to buy then better does not mean a terrific amount.

I had what many would say was a better machine before I downsized, no difference in my welds or the reliability of the machine.

Other good hobby machines are the Butters, Cebora, and Snap On (rebadged Cebora) to name some, the Wolf I would not consider at all.

Cheers, good to know. That's the Wolf out of the running now I think.

It's not the same unit, his has euro conversion - doesn't sound much but it opens up a hell of a lot with regard to future replacement and choice of consumables.

OK point taken on that, but I'd have to weigh up the plus point of that vs the new machine having a warranty etc. as that's quite attractive for the same sort of money.

 

[PTvor]

If you have £250 to spend on the welder you're larfin' if you go second hand, and you only need reasonable purchases, not incredible strokes of luck and waiting for fantastic bargains.

That Clarke would probably do you fine and you could always sell it for about what you bought it for provided it was in more or less the same state as when you got it.

Or you could get a more highly regarded make second hand for £250-ish, maybe a Murex Tradesmig, although if you go that route, if anything goes wrong, you can be caught out on spares availability.

Warranties aren't as big an issue with transformer based machines as with inverter based equipment.

I'd also strike SIP and Giant from your list.

 

[Wedg1e]

Adding all that up so far I've spent the thick end of £350 but hopefully shouldn't have to spend much more in the next year or so but let's see!

Remember to turn your gas off when you finish working as even a miniscule leak will throw away money as well as gas

 

[Jay Cartay]

Well I've done it...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sealey-Su...D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Just have to arrange the courier now, but at that price I felt I couldn't pass it up.

 

[PTvor]

Way to go!

Stuff advertised for collection only usually goes for a depressed price.

It's normally wise to see a second hand set working, but for some reason I'm inclined to believe the seller's tale - an obvious observation is that it isn't my money.

I think you'll do OK with it, and if you sell it you won't lose on the deal.