Ebay mig

[Semtex]

Found this one on ebay

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MIG-WELDER-/1...ultDomain_3&hash=item2311967488#ht_500wt_1156

or

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MIG-WELDER-/2...ultDomain_3&hash=item3f0b081543#ht_500wt_1156

What are your thoughts please, I'm going to be using it on the car

(No I haven't bid on it yet)

 

[grim_d]

What is your budget? I wouldn't buy either of those machines.

 

[Semtex]

What is your budget? I wouldn't buy either of those machines.

As little as possible

Maybe in a few weeks I might have enought to get a new one. (We're waithing for the DWP to pull their finger out with the Mrs disability claim and also a tax rebate)

If the general consensus is not to get either, then thats what I will do

 

[grim_d]

I don't know about the general consensus but that's my opinion! I have used a similar Sealey and they are not very good, as with most Sealey products, and as I understand the Ferm is a re badged Sealey.

For cheap cheap I would maybe be looking for a used clarke, you want a minimum of 30A for vehicle bodywork, less would be better but at this price range it is unlikely.

 

[Engineer]

Majority of the cheap DIY type MIG sets are pretty poor, most having plastic wire feed mechanisms, and very shoddily made torches.

However if you are willing to take a chance on a used one for little money, then it might last long enough to pay for itself, and will provide a very steep learning curve, which will mean welding with a better machine will be much much easier.

 

[gavuk]

I had a sealey 130xt from new ,never had a problem with it in 7 years ....only sold it when i bought a 180amp mig,to a mate who is still using it now without problems...Mostly used on car panels using co2 and what is now known as the "thin metal technique"....also had a snap-on/cebora 130a and have used a couple of clarke 150a,apart from the increased amperage on the clarke I couldn't choose between them ...I sold the snap-on first and kept the sealey ...and I still regret not keeping it every now and again as it was ideal for carrying mobile ,clarke is however the forum favourite....Plastic parts in the wire feed is not a major issue,damage to the torch can be ,hobby torch's sell for £40-50....

 

[octo0072000]

out of the two i would go for the Ferm but take some wire with you and make sure it works first before paying out any money but like others say a clark might be a better deal in the long run dearer to start with but might last longer and with a warrantyif new
main point is if s/hand you needs to see it working and use it too late after it arrives in a box and is crap

 

[Semtex]

Yeah, I think i will give both of them a miss then.

What about this one, newly listed and only 5 miles from me.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SIP-MIGMATE-T...ltDomain_3&hash=item35b3009f73#ht_3700wt_1139

I know Sip aren't that well thought of but I could get it cheap due to being at the wrong end of the country.

Or I was thinking of something like this when tax rebate/back pay eventually turns up.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SEALEY-TOOLS-...ultDomain_3&hash=item5192ca9ec4#ht_3010wt_942

I don't have a machine mart near me, but if someone can suggest a suitable clarke machine, I'll check out the "local suppliers"

 

[octo0072000]

mig

ask to view the one near you and try it out loads about modifying them on here but dont pay too much if you look at the top of the page and click on weldquip he sells clark ones give him a try

 

[grim_d]

At this budget I would be looking at http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CLARKE-PRO-GA...013?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3362dc8fdd

There is a couple of good used Clarkes on ebay but they are both about 2.5 Hours from you.

You would need a regulator with this kit by the looks of it.

Up your budget a little and you could go for a http://www.weldequip.com/clarke-160tm.htm, seem to be highly regarded and comes with a regulator for refillable gas cylinders (£30).

 

[Engineer]

All the cheapo MIG sets are much the same...........plastic wire feed mechanisms, shoddily made torches, and aluminium windings.

If there is a set near you at the right money, dont be put off by the whatever sticker is on it, as many of the internal parts are likely to be identical to those used in other DIY type machines.