Need some advice on purchasing a MIG welder, after some research I've narrowed it down to the following - use would be chassis work on a land rover and some floor patching, and maybe 5/6mm bumper repairs now and again. I did a introductory welding course at a local college using a SIP 181 autoplus and did intend to buy one of those but feel that the SIP units don't get very good reports and better machines are not that much more.
http://www.weldingdirect.co.uk/migatronic-rallymig-161i-mig-welder-10414-p.asp
Comparing old style transformer to new style inverter, no doubt many will plumb for the transformer type and in particular the Portamig. The Oxford is my preferred transformer type, British made and long term spares availability etc.
From research the majority of the inverter types are Chinese made and some would be put off with Chinese made items but we are all guilty of driving costs down forcing manufacturers to use China, even so all manufacturers still need to rely on being competitive with their products and around the £500 mark is not entry level spec. Also the Inverter types appear more flexible with MMA and TIG applications (however limited) and also the synergic application is a bonus for me as still a beginner it is one less variable to affect the outcome of beginners welding
so without any further input from others I've come to this (maybe ill informed conclusion)
Either I-tech or Migatronic - flexibility/lightweight/should fit most needs
Oxford Quality/warranty/parts/fairly local supplier should it need to be returned for any reasons
discounted the portamig mainly due to lead time for delivery (not a good reason - but it is a reason)
Ideally I'm trying to keep to a 13A supply but can upgrade to 16A easily (13A criteria is based on maybe moving house in the future and not having to go through the process again but again this is not an over riding factor)
Again from research the inverter should work better using a generator but this would not really be a deal breaker
Discounted second hand "better quality" known makes due to inexperience with welding equipment, but appreciate this would be cost effective for the right machine
To complicate the choice further my ideal preference would be the Oxford followed in time with another smaller MMA inverter machine
I've also discounted Clarke/Sealey mainly based on having this budget available now
Would welcome any constructive advice on the machines or from people that have been in similar dilemma
- IFL I-tech 170 MIG £579
- Portamig 165 MIG £539
- Oxford Migmaker 200 £594
- Migatronic Rally 161i £575 +vat
http://www.weldingdirect.co.uk/migatronic-rallymig-161i-mig-welder-10414-p.asp
Comparing old style transformer to new style inverter, no doubt many will plumb for the transformer type and in particular the Portamig. The Oxford is my preferred transformer type, British made and long term spares availability etc.
From research the majority of the inverter types are Chinese made and some would be put off with Chinese made items but we are all guilty of driving costs down forcing manufacturers to use China, even so all manufacturers still need to rely on being competitive with their products and around the £500 mark is not entry level spec. Also the Inverter types appear more flexible with MMA and TIG applications (however limited) and also the synergic application is a bonus for me as still a beginner it is one less variable to affect the outcome of beginners welding
so without any further input from others I've come to this (maybe ill informed conclusion)
Either I-tech or Migatronic - flexibility/lightweight/should fit most needs
Oxford Quality/warranty/parts/fairly local supplier should it need to be returned for any reasons
discounted the portamig mainly due to lead time for delivery (not a good reason - but it is a reason)
Ideally I'm trying to keep to a 13A supply but can upgrade to 16A easily (13A criteria is based on maybe moving house in the future and not having to go through the process again but again this is not an over riding factor)
Again from research the inverter should work better using a generator but this would not really be a deal breaker
Discounted second hand "better quality" known makes due to inexperience with welding equipment, but appreciate this would be cost effective for the right machine
To complicate the choice further my ideal preference would be the Oxford followed in time with another smaller MMA inverter machine
I've also discounted Clarke/Sealey mainly based on having this budget available now
Would welcome any constructive advice on the machines or from people that have been in similar dilemma
