Advice on a MIG welder

[Jammyhl]

Hi

New to the forum, pretty new to welding (probably 20 years since I last did any..). We're doing a self build and I'd like to carve up some steel girders and make my own staircase. Likely to be a single spine design with triangle supports and t-plate under each step.

Can you advise the sort of spec I need to look at when buying a welder? I'm assuming needs to be MIG, probably 30-180A, but how about line feed and size, or are these all fairly standard? If you have any recommendations just shout them out please! Prefer to be spending under £500 than over £1000....

If I can do this then might tackle some other architectural projects around the grounds too...

 

[RonA]

For something structural like a staircase made from heavy steel sections would have thought an ordinary arc welder would prove perfectly adequate without going to the expense of a mig set. That is, unless your after the superior finish of weld the mig set would give.

RonA

 

[Robotstar5]

As above, a decent inverter arc welder will be within your budget.