Cheap mig for light auto use

[itiejim]

Folks, any thoughts on this:

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/311228263516?nav=WATCHING_ACTIVE

I'd run it with gas - or this:

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/010110125

It's for occasional automotive use on 1 - 3 mm mild steel by an inexperienced user. I hear that the Clarke hobby welders are pretty good, but the spec on the eBay one looks good.

Any thoughts, experience or advice welcomed!

 

[Chee]

Hi,
I've seen those eBay welders but iv never heard from anyone who owns one. I'm biased towards the clarke te range as I know how they perform.
My personal opinion would be go for a clarke 135te, or if your budget allows a 151te.
I bought a 151te when I started and it's been a good little welder. Did everything I asked of it! Very good for the relatively low price. It's now been replaced with a bigger mig but I still use the little clarke at times.
I would say as you use the welder more, and you get the 'bug' you will be looking to do more maybe bigger jobs with it so it's definitely worth spending extra if it's possible.
It would be handy if you could buy from machine mart on a vat free offer.

I'm sure you'll receive more info from members.

Cheers

 

[Gareth J]

+1 for the clarke151 t. As a hobby welder it worked well. Have since got a more industrial machine which is in another class but the Clarke did the job for many years. Of course with hindsight I wish I'd bought a better welder to begin with but I didn't know any better at the time!

 

[Robotstar5]

I'd go for a 135 or 151TE, the 145 is one of the cheapanese range built down to a price, there are a couple of machine Mart VAT free codes on offer, just search the forum.

...and welcome to the forum.

 

[cumbriasteve]

Ebay cheapo's: You pay your money and accept the gamble and personally I think it's a fairly big gamble.

 

[itiejim]

Ok folks, a Clarke 135 or 151TE it will be then!

Stand by for photos of dreadful welding and further newbie questions...

 

[Kayos]

I actually looked at that ebay welder in person, I was interested because of the euro torch and 5kg reel capacity. Wire feed was dreadful and Euro torch was shocking so not as cheap as it seems.

Bought a sealey 150 Supermig instead, can't fault it for bodywork and exhaust bodging