Cato
Forum Supporter
- Messages
- 2,010
- Location
- Birmingham, UK
I need a welder for various tasks, and I've settled on a MIG as it's suitable and something I'm familiar with. TIG does appeal, but I have no experience and I'd prefer to be working to a reasonable standard straight off rather than go along a learning curve from scratch.
There will be some work on motorbike frames, repairing other stuff/plant, making brackets etc. So from thin panels like tanks and mudguards up to 6mm will be 95% of what I'd do. It doesn't make sense to look at anything for aluminium as I've never had anything to do with it. It'd also be a rare requirement so makes much more sense to farm out anything which needed doing.
I have three phase at the unit, and getting sockets installed wouldn't be an issue.
At the moment I'mm looking at a new Oxford 180, or a used unit like Murex tradesmig (something which can be repaired). Either option sees me with a machine for £600 - ish. So my first question would be does that sound like a reasonable couple of options? Second question would be am I missing something else that'd be more suitable?
I have a small industrial unit for work, so size/weight and gas isn't an issue as I don't need portable.
All my welding experience is from my apprenticeship and some time after in plant and trucks, so '80s and early '90s. I've never used anything other than oxy acetylene, stick and MIG. My stick welding level would best be described as it holds, but looks like a chain round a Donkey's 4rse. Better with gas and MIG, hence my choice of a MIG.
There will be some work on motorbike frames, repairing other stuff/plant, making brackets etc. So from thin panels like tanks and mudguards up to 6mm will be 95% of what I'd do. It doesn't make sense to look at anything for aluminium as I've never had anything to do with it. It'd also be a rare requirement so makes much more sense to farm out anything which needed doing.
I have three phase at the unit, and getting sockets installed wouldn't be an issue.
At the moment I'mm looking at a new Oxford 180, or a used unit like Murex tradesmig (something which can be repaired). Either option sees me with a machine for £600 - ish. So my first question would be does that sound like a reasonable couple of options? Second question would be am I missing something else that'd be more suitable?
I have a small industrial unit for work, so size/weight and gas isn't an issue as I don't need portable.
All my welding experience is from my apprenticeship and some time after in plant and trucks, so '80s and early '90s. I've never used anything other than oxy acetylene, stick and MIG. My stick welding level would best be described as it holds, but looks like a chain round a Donkey's 4rse. Better with gas and MIG, hence my choice of a MIG.