Different poster similiar question

[aardvark]

Hi all, looking at a mig... budget upto (£350) with pub gas (but option of gasless).
Have been considering the following:

Clarke 151
Clarke 160
Gys smartmig 162.

Getting a 16amp line put in (as need to get old fusebox replaced anyway).
Going to be used on a variety of projects camper body work, square tubing etc... both inside and out.

Are there other manufacturers / models I should consider?

Cheers

Aardvark

 

[keeny]

re migs

ive had th 151 clarke was a good tool but somtimes wire got tangled up
even when i slacken the torq tensioner, fo r me i go for the gys
ive got 1 now and love it just 1 prob with it the earth lead are short but
once my garentee ran out i put a longer 1 on

 

[lshigham]

How thick tubing? I've got a smartmig 162 amp and I wouldn't want to use it on much more than 3mm

 

[aardvark]

Thanks Keeny / Ishigham,

I forgot to add - I am looking at teaching myself welding (with the help from this forum and of course youtube ). Am I going down the right lines with these selections? don't want to get nasty cheap thing to learn on - only to find it puts me off.

I would guess that 3/4mm would be fine (just planning on future use - rather than any specific project) - mostly it will be body panels. (If I needed to go thicker at a later date - could always buy a cheap Arc welder).

I suppose the question is the GYS 162 worth the extra '£' if you take into account the vat free days at machine mart (approx £90 cheaper).

Also what are the real benefits to the euro torch?

This is a case of buy right first time... rather than wanting to change 6 months down the line.

Nice picture Ishigham - I assume done with gas (argon mix?)

Whats the gasless welding like with the GYS - especially compared to the Clarkes.

Cheers again.

 

[lshigham]

Gasless welding with any welder is pretty challenging to impossible on the thinner stuff - I've always used my local supplier's equivalent of argonshield light - it's 5% co2, 2% oxygen and the rest argon. I pay £28+VAT for a 20l bottle so it's not expensive by any means.

Is the GYS worth the extra £? I'd say so, it's a lovely bit of kit to use, I've worked mine hard for two or so years and it's not skipped a beat. I have no problems welding really thin metal with it, 0.6 wire, argon mix gas and away you go.

Euro torches are great, universal spares and if you want a new/longer/better one it just unscrews and a replacement is off the shelf at your local welding store.

 

[aardvark]

Ishigham,

Thanks again - nice looking welds. - I saw you other post with this photo on... hopefully I can get close to that finish with time.

Looks like you have convinced me to spend the extra and go for the GYS.

I have pm'd weldequip to get an idea on the cost of a complete package from him (as I understand he is the man to contact for a fair deal).

Cheers

aardvark.