2nd hand vrs new

[ColinK]

is it even worth looking to pick up a first mig welder off fleabay ?
or just down to MM with a VAT free voucher ?

 

[hunter27]

I bought my first Mig welder from Machine mart a Clark 100E and struggled with it for years, I didn't know any better because I had nothing to compare it with. When I eventually decided to get a better welder I bought a Second hand Cebora Boxer 175 from a local garage that was selling up (for not much more than the M M welder) Best thing I ever did, its a lot smoother and makes welding easier.
The trouble with Ebay (and I use Ebay a lot) is that you are taking a big risk if you can't try it before you buy.
I would look out for a good second hand welder locally so you could try it before you bought it. Perhaps on E bay or on this forums for sale section.
Pete

 

[Psychosaffa]

My first welder is a murex tradesmig off flea Bay, and it was like new. Absolute bargain.

So if you put the research in, and don't mind waiting for the right one, you should be OK with a eBay welder.

 

[ColinK]

to the un-trained eye its sometimes difficult to see the wood for the trees when it comes to ebay.
i'm in no rush so happy to keep an eye out and wait for something to come along.

is there a brand or two i should be keeping an eye out for ?

at the end of the day i'm only a hobbyist, im not going to be laying down yards and yeards of weld everyday.
but at the same time id like something that will last and do a good job when required.

 

[Rig Pig]

I bought a Snapon 130 secondhand years ago, its still going strong despite some farly heavy use. They seem to sell very cheaply on Ebay these days, may be worth a look if you don't need to weld massively thick steel.

 

[Jim Davey]

Keep your eyes peeled for Murex, Cebora, Migatronic, Kemppi, ESAB, etc.

You may even see the odd gem amongst all the tat, I can't link to eBay (forum rules) but there is a very tidy EWM Pico Puls 180 mig on fleabay currently which would be a fantastic machine for you.

 

[Robotstar5]

You may even see the odd gem amongst all the tat, I can't link to eBay (forum rules) but there is a very tidy EWM Pico Puls 180 mig on fleabay currently which would be a fantastic machine for you.

I think you can link to an item of interest to other members but not to something you're selling?

 

[Jim Davey]

Ah I see, well I'll have a look when I get home but it had gone north of £600 when I last looked so it's probably well outside the budget by now.

 

[wheresmejumper]

If its the same one I saw yesterday, it was advertised as acdc, strangely.wonder how many of the bids know it isnt

 

[Jim Davey]

I think a lot of people assume if a mig can weld ally it must be AC/DC, either that or the seller tries to shoehorn as many keywords into the description as possible to improve their chances of a search engine finding their ad.

I can't add the link for some reason, but anyone interested should search EWM welder and it's there in the list. Currently at £600 with 6 days to go.

 

[Robotstar5]

How come the right hand gauge needle is at the 11 o'clock position when it's not on a bottle?

Assuming I've found the right one - link

 

[wheresmejumper]

I cant tell if its the inlet or outlet gauge is reading, but if its the outlet, it could have a quick connect on the end of the hose which would hold pressure, or it could be still connected to the machine which would do the same, both if the regulator is turned off

 

[Jim Davey]

Or the gauge could be shot, the needles often stick if the gauge gets bashed hard enough.

 

[rangel]

There is a well priced murex tradesmig 186 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261431154941?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2661&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT