Hello there, im looking at buying my first mig welder for my farm.... we currently have a big three fase oil cooled oxford for hard facing etc, and one of those little welders u can carry on your shoulder for lighter work... for general work i use a 3.2 rod...
ive got some winter projects lined up and was told by one of my men not to bugger about and buy a mig....
ive pretty much only had a quick word with our ag engineer for some advice, and he admitts he doesnt know everything... he has pretty much told me for what id like to spend not to even bother looking at new, and to find a good second hand set up...
i dont really weld steel much thicker than 12mm, and generally work with 4 to 6mm, he told me i probably need a 250 amp machine, but safer to go with a 300 +.
when i was looking at new i didnt really want to spend above £1000, but now im looking at second hand im spoilt for choice....
what i would like to know from u chaps, are the brands im looking at any good, in the future will they be repairable and am i even looking at the right kind of welder?
the two im looking at are
An ESAB LAG 315, fully reconditioned, brand new feeder unit, all the torch etc, year warrenty, and set up how i want it.... there asking £700+vat delivered... about 15 years old.... chap on the phone said it would be good for the farmbecause its not fan or water cooled and in a damp enviroment wouldnt suck in moisture, he said it had a really good and oversized transformer....
the other is a Butters 400 compact.... its appently in excelent working order, but pretty much sold as seen.... asuming fan cooled... but only £450+vat...
im all for cutting costs, but not really sure if there the right kind of machines or good value for money...any guidance would be helpful
just to add i was adivsed to have either of them set up with 0.8 wire, would u go with that?
Thankyou
ive got some winter projects lined up and was told by one of my men not to bugger about and buy a mig....
ive pretty much only had a quick word with our ag engineer for some advice, and he admitts he doesnt know everything... he has pretty much told me for what id like to spend not to even bother looking at new, and to find a good second hand set up...
i dont really weld steel much thicker than 12mm, and generally work with 4 to 6mm, he told me i probably need a 250 amp machine, but safer to go with a 300 +.
when i was looking at new i didnt really want to spend above £1000, but now im looking at second hand im spoilt for choice....
what i would like to know from u chaps, are the brands im looking at any good, in the future will they be repairable and am i even looking at the right kind of welder?
the two im looking at are
An ESAB LAG 315, fully reconditioned, brand new feeder unit, all the torch etc, year warrenty, and set up how i want it.... there asking £700+vat delivered... about 15 years old.... chap on the phone said it would be good for the farmbecause its not fan or water cooled and in a damp enviroment wouldnt suck in moisture, he said it had a really good and oversized transformer....
the other is a Butters 400 compact.... its appently in excelent working order, but pretty much sold as seen.... asuming fan cooled... but only £450+vat...
im all for cutting costs, but not really sure if there the right kind of machines or good value for money...any guidance would be helpful
just to add i was adivsed to have either of them set up with 0.8 wire, would u go with that?
Thankyou