Do i buy this?

[Littlewener]

Am looking at getting a MIG welding to start practicing as i am a new starter. Seen this and thought, is it worth it?

http://www.bodyshop-tools-supplies.co.uk/product_view.php?id=15150

 

[madkayaker]

I wouldn't as it's a gas less only model so hard work and messy on thin stuff. If you expand the question to include what you want to weld and the budget you have we can help more! An extra £200 can make all the difference in spec machine you can get

 

[Tiggy_dorset]

I have the 150amp version of the same machine. I originally had some problems with porosity in my welds due to a gas problem. I dont think the valve in the torch was much cop, on my particular machine and the torch felt cheap. That is the only fault I can find with it. I produced some good welds using flux cored gasless wire.

Anyway, I decided to do a Euro torch conversion which totally changed the machine. It now works great and I am very pleased with it indeed. It now produces some good welds. I have also adapted it to take a spoolgun and I have successfully welded aluminium with it.

Basically a pretty reasonable machine which is easily tweakable to vastly improve it.

My oppinion from my experience of my own machine

 

[Tiggy_dorset]

I wouldn't as it's a gas less only model so hard work and messy on thin stuff.

Ahh yes, a good point. My machine is gas/gasless. I too would recommend a machine to do both.

 

[Littlewener]

My budget is probably upto about £250. It will be for car repairs as i am one of the sad mini owners.

 

[madkayaker]

Then I would give it a miss. Clarke machines have a good rep for mini work

 

[Littlewener]

ok i will keep looking

 

[madkayaker]

You will save yourself lots of trouble if you do! Tbh I think a body shop supplier should know better than to sell them!

 

[BrokenBiker]

You will save yourself lots of trouble if you do! Tbh I think a body shop supplier should know better than to sell them!

they probably do know better, but its easy money selling them to people that dont know much about welding bodywork, and need one there and then. it all looks so good when you dont know alot, all the pro's of mig welding, without having to buy gas...thats what i thought anyway...but now im used to it its not too bad