Bang for Buck - newbie

[alchohaz]

Hi all

I am learning the skills to weld on a 10 week City & Guilds Evening Course, I've never done it before and need to practice. The College has Jasic welders, and i have had a look at the Jasic MIG 200 Synergic - it's pricey, is there anything else that compares or would offer what i need (mostly hand and muscle memory skills) Or is it worth the extra money? - I can buy through my business, but it still seems quite a lot of money for something that may not get used as much as i intended.. i guess i am asking what are my options please New, AND if there a recommended location for 2nd hand Welders?

thanks in advance..

 

[Pete.]

Buy to your budget. Learning to weld is like learning to drive - once you've learned then adapting to a different machine (or car) is just a matter of familiarisation.

 

[eddie49]

Do you really want a synergic machine when you are learning?
Sort-of like learning to drive on an automatic car? Or maybe that's what is being taught today?

 

[alchohaz]

Do you really want a synergic machine when you are learning?
Sort-of like learning to drive on an automatic car? Or maybe that's what is being taught today?

Assumed it is a feature that you can turn off?

 

[MattH]

Look at the Paton from the forum sponsor.

 

[alchohaz]

Look at the Paton from the forum sponsor.

Which model please?

 

[MattH]

Which model please?

That depends on your budget, power requirements, available power supply, type of material to be welded etc etc.

I have the Paton 250 Pulse, others have the MultiPro.

 

[MattH]

MIG Welders & MIG Welding Machines | Welding Supplies Direct

Welding Supplies Direct sells a wide range of MIG welders from top industry brands. We have the best prices and customer service online. See our deals here!

www.weldingsuppliesdirect.co.uk

 

[500e]

Theirs a forum discount as well don't know if that is on top of the 10% Paton discount being offered

 

[eddie49]

is there a recommended location for 2nd hand Welders?

Sometimes a good used one turns up on eBay, e.g. this Migatronic:

Migatronic Automig 180MXE mig welder 240volt collect only | eBay

Cash only, collect only from Bury St Edmunds Suffolk and good luck.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[Benterrier]

I wouldn't buy a Jasic, they are overpriced as far as I'm concerned . Especially their entry level inverters. I purchased a Autostar 160 which is a Jasic 160 in disguise but over £200 cheaper. I've made some serious money welding 3-4mm section box with it. Put 30 + rolls of 5kg wire through it and not missed a beat, if it failed tomorrow it's done well.
Looking ahead have now got a Lorch M250, quality piece of kit which I paid £400 off eBay probably because it's 3 phase. Next on the list Frontious Transteel. The Autostar now a backup.

 

[zzr1200]

Hi all

I am learning the skills to weld on a 10 week City & Guilds Evening Course, I've never done it before and need to practice. The College has Jasic welders, and i have had a look at the Jasic MIG 200 Synergic - it's pricey, is there anything else that compares or would offer what i need (mostly hand and muscle memory skills) Or is it worth the extra money? - I can buy through my business, but it still seems quite a lot of money for something that may not get used as much as i intended.. i guess i am asking what are my options please New, AND if there a recommended location for 2nd hand Welders?

thanks in advance..

First things first, Welcome to the forum, three post in and all in this thread....

You state that you can buy through your business. What type of business are you in....... car repairs/fabrication/cake making......., do you want the welder for your work or for a hobby/home workshop???

Plus what do you expect/want to use the welder for now and in the future?

Is the welder to be used in a workshop only or as a mobile type welding unit, it makes a massive difference in the choice of unit and cost...
Give us better clue as to your needs/requirements...

And how much do you have to spend in total bearing in mind there's gas/helmet plus load of other stuff to possibly buy as well??????

My biggest talent is being a Mind Reader......NOT...........

 

[Mart63]

The Autostar Mig 160 is the same as a Jasic for less money. You don't get the Jasic warranty but you save a lot of money. If you can live with a 160 machine I'd go for this as it's a familiar welder.

 

[Nick DV]

Hi & welcome

If you decide on second hand, go careful and if you can, take someone with you that can weld. If you decide to go brand new, give @Tom Orrow L a shout on the forum, and you'll get good advice on a huge range of welders and a discount.

 

[alchohaz]

I wouldn't buy a Jasic, they are overpriced as far as I'm concerned . Especially their entry level inverters. I purchased a Autostar 160 which is a Jasic 160 in disguise but over £200 cheaper. I've made some serious money welding 3-4mm section box with it. Put 30 + rolls of 5kg wire through it and not missed a beat, if it failed tomorrow it's done well.
Looking ahead have now got a Lorch M250, quality piece of kit which I paid £400 off eBay probably because it's 3 phase. Next on the list Frontious Transteel. The Autostar now a backup.

View attachment 334315

Thank you, i will look into this (sorry for the delay, i didnt get a ping)

 

[alchohaz]

First things first, Welcome to the forum, three post in and all in this thread....

You state that you can buy through your business. What type of business are you in....... car repairs/fabrication/cake making......., do you want the welder for your work or for a hobby/home workshop???

Plus what do you expect/want to use the welder for now and in the future?

Is the welder to be used in a workshop only or as a mobile type welding unit, it makes a massive difference in the choice of unit and cost...
Give us better clue as to your needs/requirements...

And how much do you have to spend in total bearing in mind there's gas/helmet plus load of other stuff to possibly buy as well??????

My biggest talent is being a Mind Reader......NOT...........

Hi there, well i am learning for practical/hobby reasons.. my business is a Ltd company, in Engineering Consultancy, but more electronics (unless this takes off ) ... Welder, at the moment for practice to get me through the muscle memory, and practice to exercise good skills and hopefully a pass in the C&G... I would always like to have option for growth, so i would prefer something that will allow me to weld stuff around the garden and fix stuff (i know pretty vague).. I was looking 2nd hand or for good advice as i realise i will need PPE and Gas - thanks for your assistance

 

[alchohaz]

The Autostar Mig 160 is the same as a Jasic for less money. You don't get the Jasic warranty but you save a lot of money. If you can live with a 160 machine I'd go for this as it's a familiar welder.

thanks i will take a look

 

[alchohaz]

Autostar 160 has come up twice in this thread, i found this, but looks like there may be stuff to add on, like a plug, and leads???

Autostar MIG 160 Inverter Welder | 160 Amp MIG Welder

Autostar MIG 160 Welding Inverter. Designed especially for the Automotive Industry, Autostar machines come with a 3 year warranty

tbws.co.uk

 

[Benterrier]

£375 ex vat at Nozals Cheltenham and save money on torch and reg when purchasing.

 

[armalites]

£375 ex vat at Nozals Cheltenham and save money on torch and reg when purchasing.

They are an excellent place to deal with too.