First Mig welder

[Freddie Lyttle]

Hi all I'm new to the forum and I'm looking some info on buying my first mig welding machine. I'm thinking of buying a sealey supermig 150 machine from my local tool supplier (Dennis Wilson of Glenavy) I will be welding mainly 3 mm thickness box section and some 2 mm sheet metal. Does anyone on here have experience with this welder? And will it be suitable for my needs. Great forum btw very informative.
Cheers Freddie.

 

[Bigjoe]

Welcome,ive never used one myself but ive read mixed reviews,what is your budget?

 

[cumbriasteve]

Welcome to the forum:

The Sealey migs never seem to get the same level of positive ratings as other hobby level machines although I am sure they have sold thousands and there must be a lot of owners happily using them.

The fact it's a local supplier is always a bonus for after sales issues.

I don't think you will go wrong owning one, perhaps though worth checking what else is available, perhaps something such as the GYS 160, although not sure of the price comparison or availability over the water.

 

[Freddie Lyttle]

Welcome,ive never used one myself but ive read mixed reviews,what is your budget?

My budget is around the 300 pound mark for the machine consumables will obviously be extra.

 

[gaz1]

ive used one from new not really a bad machine similar to the clark welders

also to note clarke machines have a vat free coupon on here if you do fancy a machine

also id try and go for a higher spec machine as ive used the 180 not the 150 so cant quote on that machine as that one was capable of welding 5mm i was using the 16 amp side of it much better welds from it

 

[Joe45]

I had the sealey supermig 140 I found the wire feed poor enough in it to be honest . It was really difficult to get the tension on the spool of wire right it was either too tight or too lose . I allso had the sealey mighty mig 150 again the wire feed was poor. I did however replace the torch liner with a steel liner I used curtin wire it made a big difference. I since bought a bigger falcom mig. If it was me and with that budget I would look at clarke or a parweld mig. That's just my thoughts . Mabe I was just on lucky with my sealey migs . Hope this helps.

 

[Bigjoe]

A friend of mine has recently bought a blumig 150t from welders warehouse and seems very impressed,i havent tried it yet myself but im keen to give it a bash,i think he paid £296 on www.thewelderswarehouse.com ,doesnt come with a regulator but it is a euro torch etc .

Hope this might help

 

[Mart63]

I've had the Bluemig 150t for nearly a year now. Solid bit of kit with a very good wire feed. Some people might not like it because it only has 4 powers settings but I find I can do everything I need to without more. I like it much better than the Clarke 150te turbo thing we have at work. The Clarke doesn't get used at all any more. I'd sell it but it's college property.

 

[Ashley Burton]

Can't go wrong with a Clarke as a start up/first machine.

 

[Joe45]

If you could stretch your budget you could get an rtec 180 amp mig and it would do stick as well

 

[Ruffian]

Got a sealey 185amp supermig,
Had it 6 years or so but mate had it probably 3 before this, been a great little mig.
Will weld cds tubing for roll cages easy enough.

Beginner mig it would be great,
But look for one with a euro torch if you can.

 

[Freddie Lyttle]

I had the sealey supermig 140 I found the wire feed poor enough in it to be honest . It was really difficult to get the tension on the spool of wire right it was either too tight or too lose . I allso had the sealey mighty mig 150 again the wire feed was poor. I did however replace the torch liner with a steel liner I used curtin wire it made a big difference. I since bought a bigger falcom mig. If it was me and with that budget I would look at clarke or a parweld mig. That's just my thoughts . Mabe I was just on lucky with my sealey migs . Hope this helps.

 

[Freddie Lyttle]

Hi thanks for the reply I like the sound of replacing the liner with curtain wire was it an easy or difficult job.

 

[Joe45]

It wasn't too bad you have to open the torch and where it goes into the wire feeder. Just be carefully of the gas tubes in the torch handle where they go into the gas valve solenoid they can be very poor fitting when you take out the old liner measure the curtin wire off it to get the right length. I have no photos to show you but if you look up youtube and type in replacing built in mig liner . It might be of some help. . I'd personally go for something with a euro torch if you could at all.

 

[Joe45]

Would you consider buying a good used mig like a murex

 

[Joe45]

There might even be a welding suppler that might have good sechand units with a bit of warranty. It might be worth looking around. One bit of advice I will give take your time and buy what suits your needs don't buy cheap just because it's cheap I did that twice and I was sorry both times ☺. The difference between a good unit and a poor one is like night and day. One other thing I found was that on some migs the gas bottle limits the flow of air from the fan . I made a separate trolly for the bottle . It made a good bit of difference to the duty cycle. .

 

[Joe45]

Did you get sorted with a mig after

 

[Freddie Lyttle]

I did after a lot of research and chatting to the sales guy at Dennis Wilson I opted for the sealey supermig 150 he assured me it was ample for the welding I would be doing. Thanks to everyone who took the time to message me.

 

[Joe45]

Brilliant best of luck with your new machine