Adding a Mig

[Perry Owens]

Up to now my hobby welding has all been on rifle targets, using mild steel from 6 - 10mm thick. Thanks to this forum, my R-Tech inverter and Murex rods I seem to have got the hang of arc reasonably well. Now I want to try my hand at gas bottle wood burners and maybe nut and bolt figures, but I am thinking that an MMA inverter is too much gun for those applications so am looking at adding a mig set to the collection.
I don't really want to spend more than £250-300 and I don't want gasless or disposable gas bottles. My present choice is a Clarke 100E on a VAT-free day plus a good quality gas regulator, but all suggestions welcome.

 

[shenion]

The 100E will work. I'd recommend the 130/135 Clarke models. Will give you a bit more range and duty cycle.

I had a 130EN and it worked well.

 

[grim_d]

The 100e would be good for bodywork but a bit underpowered for the thick stuff on old gas bottles without loads of prep. Fine for your nut and bolt figures though.

A 151 on a vat free day is within budget and would be better suited to the task, leaves £40 for a regulator with change.

For that budget your best option may be second hand machines. there are a couple in the for sale section at the moment if you can persuade them to courier.

It's better to have a machine that is too powerful for your needs, just in case you need it one day.

 

[wellyweld]

We reckon the Redline 150 is good up to about 4mm, it is supplied with a regulator & would leave some change to sort out a non rental cylinder from somewhere, a much better bet than disposable cylinders. We do Hobbyweld available pretty widely.
Worth having a look at the Redline 150 with a 2 year warranty & we have had no problems with them.