First welder

[t25]

Hi
apologies if this has been done to death, I want to buy my first mig, I'm going to be doing car body work so will be looking to weld 1-2mm steel panels. Would also like to go up to 4mm but not essential at this stage. Any suggestions for a good, first time welder for hobby use? I don't need top quality just something that will do the job, reliable and will last a while. Any suggestions and pointers welcome as I'm new to welding.
Thanks for reading.

 

[Jim Davey]

What is the most you are prepared to spend? (obviously we can aim lower) It gives us an idea of what names to chop off the list, if you say £150 then nobody will try and convince you you need a Fronius for example (that's a really nice but very expensive set btw)

 

[norlander]

Have you already got the "bits" or will you have budget for them as well? i.e.

mask
gloves
grinder (s)
abrasives
clamps and cramps

Further outlay to consider on gas and regulator -you can start on no gas self shielded fluxcore but its more of a challenge for a beginner (my opinion).

Essential feature (my opinion) is a euro torch fitting. This enables you to change guns easily and sort out liners if needed.

I would want a decent wire drive, if you are doing car body work, you may want a 3 metre gun and it may have to "go round corners" this should not be a problem for a decent wire drive.

You can budget on the "bits" as 115 mm grinders can be had for about 9 quid; and you can use the fibre sanding discs instead of the more expensive flap discs.

Mask, can be budget, but I would want 4 sensors for car work. You can buy a decent welder, but if you can't see what you are welding then its only as good as your mask.

You can buy a Ferrari, but if the windscreen wash and wipers are crap, you'll get seen off by 2CVs.

Have a look here if you have not already, might give you some insight.http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/mig.htm

Finally, pulling out my soapbox, buy from someone who sells welders, not someone who sells everything.

Hope thats of some use.

 

[Jim Davey]

want to buy a Fronius?

 

[t25]

Hi
thanks for the replies, my budget is 150 for the welder but if it really makes a difference I can stretch to 200 max. I don't have a mask but have other tools including grinder, clamps, ppe etc. From what I've read I'd like to go straight for gas but I have a mate who can help with gas, regs and bottles so it's not an issue.

 

[Jim Davey]

Best get looking for the best used machine you can find then. 150-200 won't get you much new unfortunately.

 

[macandmoss]

an older used machine is normally a good buy as long as it has not been abused ,you often find a good machine which has only been used by a hobbiest like myself and not seen industrial use , older named machines provide a smoother weld to learn on as far as ive found ,I was going to by a cheaper new machine but a welding friend convinced me otherwise. bought a migtronic mx180 with gas bottle and full set up for £250 which is great for me to learn with ,picked up a Lincoln welder the other day for £200 so they are out there , just keep looking and don't rush to buy a new one

 

[t25]

Thanks all, this gives me an idea on what to look for, I'll look for a good second hand machine. I'm still reading through the forum and picking up info, thanks again.

 

[t25]

Just looking around last night and saw this:

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/cla...GS-010110102&gclid=COvh5Oz-ss4CFUKfGwodw8YE-Q

I've heard that Clarke are a good brand, I know it gasless but how would this be to get started?

 

[t25]

Fair enough, thanks for the input, I'm probably better off with gas for body panels and thin metal

 

[gaz1]

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

everything depends on the price that you want to pay i said exactley the same but i still bought a sip 150 and a clarke 150 both used systems done me good in all this time and also gives the user chance to get to use the machine decide if they wan tot continue it

clarks are ok and have a good selling point ( not on here though ) sips are even worse but good machines as long as you adapt them

gys is the next machines up the market

https://www.weldequip.com/gys-smartmig-162.htm

other than that its take a risk with a used old machine that some people cant fix

 

[t25]

Thanks again, @gaz1 I like the look of that (151EN) Clarke welder, it seems to be adaptable for gas. Does anyone know if it has a euro torch fitting?

 

[gaz1]

ive been around these forums since 2012 and i bought a clarke 150 gas mig welder ive used it ever since and been building all sorts with it ive had it welding 3mm too 5mm plate and 5mm to 5mm plate welded at the corners with some prep you can weld 5mm too 5mm in a t but would struggle otherwise will weld 4mm also with prep 3mm not a problem ive been down to 1mm or lower recently its just the blow throughs at that rate

gasless is a pig with blow throughs gas is much better

is the clarke good enough for the price yes and its served many a person over the years gys is dearer welds about the same dont know much about it but many on like it r-tech is also getting to be a good model however your price range fixed it to a few models only

dont forget theres extra things to buy you need an argon regulator a boc account or hobbyweld account dont go for disposables there expensive and last 3-5 mins only compared to a big bottle

just remember any welder over 150 must use a direct plug to a 16 amp supply

try reading this

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/...t-but-not-sure-what-i-need.61402/#post-768710

 

[gaz1]

I use my (160/190/210 depending on what spec interests you) on a 13A plug - just don't turn it all the way up

you and i both know that someday we will turn it higher than the spec of 13 amp plug then blow fuses often whilst trying to weld its worse for newbies with migs that try to weld higher than the 150/160 amp range and cant understand why the fuses blow often within there machines