Extreme Newb - Advice Required

[Summer13]

Hi there!

Sorry my first post is asking questions.

Im looking to get a MIG welder to make some dog cages for the back of my van. I need something that is relatively simple to set up, can do a good weld (yes I know it depends on the person welding :-) ) on 1.5mm steel. It also needs to run off a 13amp household socket and not break the bank too much - Around the £300 if possible.

Any ideas? there is so many out there im not sure what to choose. Some look great and are very cheap but then im wondering why they are so cheap.

Thanks

 

[Tom Orrow L]

An SWP Turbo 150 would do the job for you and is well within your budget, but if you increased your budget a little you could splash out on the GYS easyMIG 130 which is a brilliant little machine.

 

[cumbriasteve]

Is this the only time you ever intend to use a welder or do you see future use and if so what?

I would never put anyone off from learning a handy skill but if it's a one off it may well be cheaper to prep the material lengths and get some one to tack it together for you.

If you want to learn welding and have other plans then that will identify what machine would be most suitable for you.

Nothing worse than having to buy another machine because your first buy won't meet your requirements.

 

[Summer13]

Thanks, future use will depend on how well mine turns out, there is currently only one company/person who makes these type of cages within Scotland (was waaayy out of budget) and the go-to guy in England has a 12wk waiting list - so it might be a future consideration to make some more (would be the same sizes of steel) Even buying a welder just for mine still works out cheaper and quicker. Unfortunately I don't know anyone who does welding that I could take it to and explain how its meant to go together.

I did have a look at the SWP turbo but it seems to run off a 16amp fuse. The EasyMig 130 looks good although the 162 is only £3 dearer and seems to come with more options, although some websites state 16amp fuse and some say 13amp.

I had seen this one, but not sure if it would be any good? https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/135te-turbo-mig-welder/

 

[cumbriasteve]

Electrics can and do vary a fair bit, at home I could go quite high and never pop the breaker/blow a fuse, yet at my friends just down the road I could never get near the top settings.

You are usually fine up to a 130 amp set, very often 150 will cause no problems, once you go over that it is a bit hit and miss and at 180 usually it is too high, but again I could weld at that no problem.

A lot depends on the machine itself, some are better than others.

The fact this may turn into a paying hobby or even a business changes things a lot and you should buy accordingly, it may involve a bit more budget but would be well worth it and probably essential.

The GYS 160 and the R-Tech 180 would be well worth looking at and I would be happy with either, in the famous fair wordings of advertising I will say there are other machines equally as good out there

I actually own the Clarke model you have linked to, basically it's a great little machine, slightly more fiddly to set up accurately but once done it just works fine.

 

[Summer13]

Thank you, the reviews look good for the Clarke model I have to say, I don't want to up the budget too much and then find the cages haven't worked out, it may seem silly for short term but id rather a cheaper one that needs replaced if things go well (pretty sure I could get a few cages out of it and then its paid for itself and the new one) Would always do well as a back up/2nd welder.

A lot of the reviews for Clarke talk about the regulator on the gas only working at 6 and running the disposable bottles down quick, I was looking at the post from Weldequip about the conversion to the large rental bottles - is it better to weld with CO2 or a CO2/Argon mix? I already have an account with BOC for the caravan gas bottles so sourcing isn't a problem.

 

[cumbriasteve]

Co2/argon without a doubt and yes you would need the correct regulator and conversion pipe.

Check out the BOC deals though, there are some a lot cheaper than others even though you may have an account.

The regulator that comes with the machine is a useless little thing for disposable cost the earth bottles.

If you are going for the Clarke and I am sure it will serve you well, then put a post up requesting a VAT free voucher for machine Mart, I just gave one away two days ago and the members often get them and share if they have no use for them, it's a nice saving and would pay for an auto dimming helmet...another must have.

 

[cumbriasteve]

http://www.weldequip.com/argonmix-conversion-kit.htm

That's what you need, there may be cheaper but be careful of quality.

 

[Tom Orrow L]

The SWP and the GYS will both run on 13A household plugs. I've produced some lovely welds with the EasyMIG, very good choice I think

 

[cumbriasteve]

@roofman has a VAT free voucher going if you decide to go down that route.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Don't forget to budget for PPE and a decent welding helmet. And good luck with your 'project'.

Keep us updated with progress and don't be afraid to ask for help and/or advice - lots of very knowledgeable folk on here.

Oh....and excuse my manners.... welcome to the forum!!

 

[Barlidge]

Welcome aboard, nothing wrong with buying new of course but also worth keeping an eye out for a good 2nd hand unit, you can get a lot more machine for your $$$, a few years ago I picked up my Murex Tradesmig 245 for £300.

 

[Summer13]

Thank you all!

Placed order last night for the Clarke 135TE should be here on Tuesday! In the middle of re-fitting a bathroom so might take a week or so before I can start the Cages Project. Turns out one of my friends husbands is a pipe welder so came over last night to drop off some fireproof overalls and MIG Welding gloves.... and a fire extinguisher the cheeky b*gger. I have a True Fusion Auto Darkening Mask ordered too as seen some good reviews about them... and hey, they look nice also ordered some thick leather gardening gloves as trying to find smaller ladies gloves proved almost impossible unless ordering from USA. Hopefully they will be ok for the jobs where my hands well away and the MIG gloves for the closer work.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

and a fire extinguisher the cheeky b*gger.

Actually, that's eminently sensible [you'll also appreciate the other PPE items once you get going ]

Keep us updated with your progress, once the bathroom's finished.

 

[Agroshield]

I'm looking to get a MIG welder to make some dog cages for the back of my van.

Could you post a link to the type of cage you will be making please.

In no way do I wish to discourage you, but you may reduce your own frustration if you have a bit of a game plan before you start.

To me, cages suggest a kind of mesh material which may very well be coated. Mesh is more hole than material and coating may well be zinc-based. As a first project, both these present some challenges.

For info., the fuse rating of the welder is generally quoted with it on its highest setting. Use on a lower setting and it pulls less juice. A good option if there is a problem with anything upstream of the welder plug itself is to use the socket that is incorporated into the cooker main switch.

 

[gaz1]

i have the clarke 150 te and runs on 13 amp at full power welds right up to 5mm steel with prep it really hasnt let me down

mines the blue version just gas option only

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/mig151en-turbo-no-gas-mig-welder/

compared to yours and the red colour i would have chosen the one above

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/135te-turbo-mig-welder/

if you do fancy the better version of the clarke you maybe be able to change it and you also have the option of a gasless system

 

[T0rnado69]

i too have a clarke, mine is the blue 155turbo and ive had it about 15years..

always ran mine off a 13amp plug,
plugged into a 32amp ring main.

been a great budget machine..

 

[Super-Tig]

Is this Clark welder a cheap Chinese welder? quality looks average but i am only going by the pictures

i would have looked on Ebay UK http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&LH_ItemCondition=3000&_nkw=mig welder&rt=nc&_mPrRngCbx=1&_udlo&_udhi=300

man u guys get some great machines over there on the used market for next to nothing! I'm jealous

import quantity usually over rules quality here in Australia we are flooded with Chinese welders and i too have fallen for the budget models that often get flogged off on Ebay

i have owned SIP portables, a fair few Chinese welders, and now i own a ESAB i will never hopefully buy another Chinese welder again the countless amount of issues, erratic feeding of wire, poor control of arc, cheap feel, they are really just that

$300 budget could have seen u with a quality used machine of the biggest brand names the quality really is that much better

i forgot to mention if your power is rated at 10amps and your welder is rated at 13amps u can still use the welder on the 10amp circuit u just wont be able to use max power on the weld settings but your welding 1.5mm material so u wont even come close to the max settings