Buying a new mig, whats good out there

[steveyb]

Hi, ive just joined and looking advice on what welder to buy?
so many to choose from but don’t know much about them.
I currently have a SIP ideal 240 super, had it over 8 years now.
it’s still going great and used for all sorts of jobs.
but I’m looking one now more suited to lighter work like body work. I also want to be able to use it for making brackets of up to about 6mm plate
the other reason I want a more portable one as the 240 is a pig, but this isn’t my main concern

I have looked at the SIP 301 mig/arc but I don’t know what the new SIP welders are as good as the older ones? Also maybe bit big for all I want it for.
Also I’m not sure of the inverter end of welders? I don’t need the arc as I already have a 250amp arc welder.
Been to few places and offering the likes of plaspro, ERP and ERP

It needs to be single phase, but can be a 13amp plug or the bigger 16amp blue 3 pin type plug as that’s what’s on my 240. And I don’t want any gasless welders
It would be only for part time work – evenings and weekends and mainly used for cars, would be good if it was suitable for welding roll cages and general shell prep.

So the question is what to go for??

 

[Wallace]

Welcome to the forum. Have a look at the Portamig range if your budget can run to it.

Mike

 

[cumbriasteve]

Welcome to the forum. Have a look at the Portamig range if your budget can run to it.

Mike

Agree

 

[matt1978]

Your not going to get anything more portable unless you go for a Inverter based machine, Transformers by there very nature are quite large and heavy.

 

[steveyb]

well as i was saying the portable bit isn't a main concern, so i would rather get a better welder than one that is portable.
its not going to be moved that often anyway.

 

[Jim_gsxr1000]

Portamig, just ordered a 285 HD

 

[Exuptoy]

Another vote here for Portamig. Goes all the way down to 15a, ideal for bodywork. List price £588 for the 185a. Lovely machine.

Weld equip on here sells hem. Click the link at the top of he page.

Check the help forums for Porta, it's just people telling everyone else they've ordered one. They don't get many faults it seems.

 

[steveyb]

i had a good look through there and i think i might just go for the 235 portamig.
is weld equip the best place to buy them from?

 

[gaz1]

as mentioned

Check the help forums for Porta, it's just people telling everyone else they've ordered one. They don't get many faults it seems.

weld equip is the forums supplier and from what ive read upon on here on my time here is they are quick to respond and fair with there sales

thoe sometimes i do think some stuff is a little expensive but if theres a fault they are quick to respond or replace the item

 

[Jim_gsxr1000]

I went for the 285, wanted 4 wheel wire drive

 

[cumbriasteve]

i had a good look through there and i think i might just go for the 235 portamig.
is weld equip the best place to buy them from?

Weldequip sponsers the forum, apart from that he is just a normal supplier.

Many buy from him and many buy elsewhere.

I bought a portamig from Steve (weldequip) and the service was excellent, I have made several other purchases of consumables and always good service, also the twice I have phoned for advice Steve has taken the time to help.

So I would be happy to buy any future machine off him and yes if you shop around you may save a couple of quid but after sales and knowledge is important and I know I would get that.

 

[steveyb]

ordered a 235 from weld equip there so look forward to getting it now
prob be about 2-3 weeks before i get it tho.

 

[robwizard]

It's been 3 weeks for me and so far no sign of my 235.. Steve did email me though saying they were running slightly behind so fingers crossed it will be on its merry way soon

 

[pondy]

Bad news for some one who hates waiting. only 11 days. I'm to impatient