first MIG purchase

[wheresmejumper]

beginner about to buy first welder....

spent a while looking into various new and second hand mig welders to suit my needs(car bodywork to ~3mm) and my budget(minimal due to needing everything inc plant,wire,gas,reg,gauntlets,apron,cylinder etc)

2nd hand market is obviously smaller here,and private uk sellers normally dont like sending abroad,so its a limited market

i have found 2 ex display new items,
a sealey supermig 150
and an SIP t155 migmate

a friend,a welder by trade with 20 years experience,recommended sip in general,but not specifically the migmate range.
but through a months or so research ive come accross a few bad reviews of their cheaper products.

the sealey appears to have a better reputation,but has 4 power settings,the sip,6

sip has automatic wire speed,with manual overide....is it beneficial to a beginner?

dont know which to go for

i know if i could stretch to a clarke 160tm or similar i would get a highly recommended unit,but funds wont allow that,for now

 

[the snooper]

sip i wouldnt buy just do a search on the forum and you wil understand why

 

[cumbriasteve]

Agree about the SIP, as in I would not buy one after my ownership of a 150 model that was never a nice machine to use, perhaps the newer models are better but my confidence in them has gone.

Perhaps if time allows it may be worth saving a bit longer for the Clarke, Weldequip sends over the water and a regulator is supplied.

Other than that it may be worth contacting any UK seller and asking if you can arrange courier collection yourself, the problem is of course you are placing a lot of trust in the condition of any used machine you can't try before buying.

 

[farmer21]

mig first purchase

Hi i too am looking at purchasing my first mig welder, i think after a lot of research have decided on the supermig 150 from sealey through a seller on ebay. it seems it might do the amount of work i will use it for (mini restoration) but has anyone used one of these and how are they?

 

[shed or dead]

Hi,

I realise you're looking for a used welder but thought it worth a mention that Machine Mart now export to Europe, including Ireland.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[wheresmejumper]

i got a supermig 150 in the end,welded fairly well for the price.sold it after a couple of months when i knew welding was something i would keep at and could invest a bit more in

 

[Yugo45]

Try the Clarke 135TE (Turbo). Brilliant first welder, and just £275, or if you sign on to receive junk from Machine Mart, they will send you a VAT free day card, and you can get it for £230, which is how much I paid.

 

[Lawnmowerboy]

You can get the 151EN from here for £240 http://www.wilstar.co.uk/products/2/118/clarke_151en_mig_the_welding_centre_surbiton/