Buying a new mig welder

[Tonto]

Hi I want to buy my son a good welder
He works with a fabricator during the day as well as college to get his qualifications
What is the best I can buy around 600 pounds
He welds up to 8mm steel
The mig needs to be single phase

Any help would be greatful

 

[shed or dead]

I don't own one myself , but from what I hear frequently, the Portamig is likely to be the best around within the 600ish price range. Follow the weldequip link near the top of the page, then follow the link for mig and you'll find them.

They are fairly unique in their low 15amp minimum, and there are three choices of maximum. I don't weld thick stuff but I'm sure someone will be along shortly who can advise on which is most suitable, or any alternatives.

What will be the main use for the machine?

In what environment will it be used? i.e constant use, or other jobs down time between welds? Just thinking of the duty cycle.

The more info the better, for when the more knowledgable guys advise.

 

[Tonto]

thanks for reply
it will be used somtimes constant use and down between welds at other times
be used in garage and also out on sites
so really need best advice possible as I dont know much about welders

 

[Wozzaaah]

If he intends to use it for production work then you'll most likely need to up your budget.
£600 is a fantastic amount to be able to put towards a machine but will only put you in the 200-220 amp range, you should be looking more towards 250-300 amps.
Buy right, buy once. (Been there, done that, wasted my money!)

 

[Tonto]

so what make would you recommend

 

[mwi]

Woz is right . It sounds silly but "it costs a fortune to save money " going off my own experience I first started with a sip 140 mig then a sealy 180 mig then a sip 210 mig now I've got an Oxford 330 (single phase) I wish I'd spent the £1000 on the Oxford at the start and saved myself a lot of time and money int the long run .

 

[mwi]

Mig

so what make would you recommend

For me Oxford all the way for a mig welder good machine ,.or Ewm for inverters .not saying there the best but not far off

Only my opinion

 

[zardoz]

If its used out on sites then remember a big old Portamig transformer is not ideal to be trundling along on rough ground. (I'm not knocking them. I have a Portamig myself and they are fantastic machines) A smaller inverter is favorite for toting along.

Although for reliability and ease of repair you cant beat the larger transformer machines.

However there are such things as reliable and rugged inverters.

Unfortunately they are not cheap.

If you can afford it get both. If i could I would. All professional welders on here probably have both types. Horses for courses and all that

PS: you also have to consider 220v or 415v ? Yes there is an awful lot to consider im afraid. But if you buy right you will only buy once.(although you may have to buy two. if you know what I mean. I'll just shut up now)

 

[Wozzaaah]

so what make would you recommend

Make isn't the issue, money is unfortunately.
You won't get a new machine suitable for heavy production work for £600.
Whatever thickness a manufacturer claims a machine will weld is the theoretical maximum, you need to be able to weld that with plenty of power in reserve or you will be forever waiting for the machine to cool down which, in a production environment means lost money.
You'll also be likely to damage it if you continually run it flat out for extended periods.

 

[shed or dead]

More info seems to be the order of the day.

when qualified, does your son intend to set up as a fabricator on his own? If so, is he making steel framed buildings, or smaller items? Does time = money between welds? When people use the term 'production', they mean constant mass production (my apologies if this is obvious to you, I don't weld for a living so used to be confused about this).

Single phase can be restrictive if not on a commercial budget, and even still then.

I have a world of praise for you helping your son, I'm sure the forum will point you in the right direction.

 

[shed or dead]

Started writing my last post before Woz posted, he has described the real economy of mig welding better than I could have.

 

[Tonto]

Thanks everyone is very helpfull
Once he will of qualified then who knows but I would like to buy a real good mig as I agree with buy cheap buy twice so maybe will have too spend a little more than 600 it seems

 

[Wozzaaah]

I spent good money on a 220 amp welder from a very well known company on the basis that it was capable of welding what I wanted it to weld.
It was, but only for short periods so flat out - cool down - flat out - cool down soon got incredibly frustrating.
I then bought the much bigger machine I should have done in the first place!