Buying a new mig

[sprayerDrew]

Hi guys im thinking of buying a new mig i dont want something too big but from around 30-150 amps, i will be doing car repairs and genral welding. i would also like a euro torch. I have currently got a cebora pocket turbo 130 and its absouletly mint but i just want something more proffesional. Im still learning to weld! Before i surf ebay i would like to no whats best around this range and id like to buy one off someone who looks after tools as i pusrchased the cebora not knowing what i was looking at and the seller didnt no either lol, any help appreciated Thanks Drew

 

[shenion]

Sounds like you need to talk to weldequip about a PotraMIG. Check his shop out from the link at the top.

 

[sprayerDrew]

im really confused because there is that many but i dnt no what go for ! I really want the best for my money Talking maybe around 450 ish ?

 

[Wozzaaah]

What sort of features are you looking for?
When you say 'professional' do you mean things like Euro torch and heavy duty wire feed unit? If so then you've no chance of getting a new one for £450. Expect to add another £100 or so to that.
TBH, those little ceboras are quite nice machines, if you're upgrading one then you should be looking at a decent upgrade so buy wisely and get THE machine not just A machine.

 

[sprayerDrew]

yes i deffinetaly want the euro torch and i would like a smooth wire feed.
How come the £500+ welders look plain i would expect lots of features maybe? but why are the sealey ones cheap like this for instance ?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/190-AMP-MIG-W...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_3?hash=item1c0f24c20f

 

[Luke]

you'd expect lots of features?

I'd expect robust units, that perform properly. That's what Portamigs do anyway.

Sealey welders seem ok, my father has one, but I much prefer my Portamig.

 

[Wozzaaah]

yes i deffinetaly want the euro torch and i would like a smooth wire feed.
How come the £500+ welders look plain i would expect lots of features maybe? but why are the sealey ones cheap like this for instance ?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/190-AMP-MIG-W...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_3?hash=item1c0f24c20f

That's a pretty good price, there's no denying that.
Basic no frills machine, 40-190A, decent looking wire feed mech though it's probably driven by a small motor, euro torch, plenty of voltage settings.
It ticks the right boxes and tbh, spec-wise there's nothing to make me talk you out of it.
The only thing I would say is that 40A is a little high for bodywork but with 0.6mm wire it might be doable.

 

[GeorgeB]

yes i deffinetaly want the euro torch and i would like a smooth wire feed.
How come the £500+ welders look plain i would expect lots of features maybe? but why are the sealey ones cheap like this for instance ?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/190-AMP-MIG-W...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_3?hash=item1c0f24c20f

I suggest it's more important to get the fundamentals working properly, like a smooth wire feed and minimum amps below 30, rather than prioritise 'special features', like a 'spot weld timer'. What specific special features are you interested in, and why?

I don't consider £399 cheap for a Sealey MIG welder. I enthuse about such products when I can pick them up for nearer £10 or £50 at a car boot sale. Why not consider the Parweld MIG welder in the forum shop here? That's £10 cheaper and looks much better than any Sealey welder I've ever seen. Look at the warranty it comes with, and the smoothing capacitors, for a start. Or for almost £150 more, the Portamig which is surely in a different league to any Sealey. It must be worth waiting a while longer tp save up the extra £150 if you really need a first class machine.

Finally, you could consider resale value. I'd wager that if you tried to sell that Sealey on eBay in a year;'s time, you'd be lucky to get one third of what you paid for it. Whereas if you needed to sell the Portamig, they are so sought after, you'd be unlikely to suffer anywhere near the same loss as on the Sealey.

 

[sprayerDrew]

Firstly thankyou for your help !
I agree on fundimentals first as at the moment i dont have much welding expirience but strongly believe with the best tool you can achieve the best job the easier way.Tbh im at the earlier stage of learnig weld but i would like to think i have a smooth running up to dat machine (Than im only to blame for bad welds) I like different features as im a gadget guy.

Whats the difference between the paraweld and portamig then?
Any good Bad expiriences ?

Drew

 

[shenion]

Don't know much about the Parweld. Don't seem to recall users talking much about it. Looks like a decent machine.

The PortaMIG has a higher duty cycle. The feeder is huge, could probably drive a 8m torch. Many users here praise them.

Don't expect fancy features, spot timer I think is an option. I never seen anyone who used them. Fancy features like pulse modes and programmable settings would be on machines at least 2x the price.

Really for a MIG, all you want a heavy duty transformer and a solid wire feeder unless you are running serious production.

 

[sprayerDrew]

I think i have made my mind up and want the portamig! Too many people are going mad about it for it not to be a good machine! i googled it but not much seems to show up about them?
Drew

 

[Luke]

No, their main internet presence is here. the MTA branded welders on migtigarc are the same units though, if that's any use.

I've had mine for a good couple of years now, it's nice to have a hassle free welder.

 

[Kit Car Roy]

Search for this

I have recently concluded a bit of reserach for what you want specification wise, search this forum for my thread i.e. search for:

'Lincoln 161C from Rapid my final Choice'

and take a full read, it may be of help, I'm over the moon with the Lincoln.

Good luck Roy

Roy

 

[sprayerDrew]

I have now joined the portamig club!!!
My dad orderd it today whilst i was at work of weldequip!
I cant wait use it but i need to find a good priced bottle of argon/co2 and get rid of that c02 crap

 

[sprayerDrew]

And thankyou for everyones help !!