I've been on the forum a here a while, benefiting a lot from the tutorials, the advice and the general nice attitude.
Started a car restoration project some years back using a Sip TopMig 150 on loan from a friend.
I did some tweaking on the welder - new steel liner, swan neck etc - and generally it worked well. I struggled somewhat on bodywork thickness metal for consistency, but with thicker materials it was fine. This was using CO2 for shield gas.
Here is a pic from a while back of the shell on the tilter I built:
After a break away from the project I'm returning to it. I can still borrow the Sip TopMig 150, however I've saved while having the break so I think something better is in order.
So I have a ballpark budget of £700 for the welder. There is some flex in that figure, but I'm also a Yorkshireman so if the whole budget isn't needed all the better.
My requirements are:
Friendly performance on thin bodywork.
Max capability of 4mm or so - not likely to use anything more.
Single phase, 13amp socket, though could have a 16a socket fitted.
Gas bottle storage (or trolley in the budget)
Max footprint close to the Sip (I'm limited on space).
(Approx 850mm long, 440mm wide, 550mm high).
At the moment I've been considering a few that Weldequipe has for sale:
Parweld XTM171C
Portamig 185
SWP Mig 211
The Portamig 185 looks like the prime candidate at present. Nice low end performance, decent wire feed, build quality etc. Just a fit size wise.
Not sure how much the SWP would offer over the Portamig. The Parweld should be a step above the Sip, but perhaps a much smaller step.
However, I'm now wondering if it is worth stretching the budget past the Portamig.
I should mention as well I plan to change to "Argoshield light" type shielding gas - I won't be continuing with CO2.
Thoughts/suggestions?
-Brian.
Started a car restoration project some years back using a Sip TopMig 150 on loan from a friend.
I did some tweaking on the welder - new steel liner, swan neck etc - and generally it worked well. I struggled somewhat on bodywork thickness metal for consistency, but with thicker materials it was fine. This was using CO2 for shield gas.
Here is a pic from a while back of the shell on the tilter I built:
After a break away from the project I'm returning to it. I can still borrow the Sip TopMig 150, however I've saved while having the break so I think something better is in order.
So I have a ballpark budget of £700 for the welder. There is some flex in that figure, but I'm also a Yorkshireman so if the whole budget isn't needed all the better.
My requirements are:
Friendly performance on thin bodywork.
Max capability of 4mm or so - not likely to use anything more.
Single phase, 13amp socket, though could have a 16a socket fitted.
Gas bottle storage (or trolley in the budget)
Max footprint close to the Sip (I'm limited on space).
(Approx 850mm long, 440mm wide, 550mm high).
At the moment I've been considering a few that Weldequipe has for sale:
Parweld XTM171C
Portamig 185
SWP Mig 211
The Portamig 185 looks like the prime candidate at present. Nice low end performance, decent wire feed, build quality etc. Just a fit size wise.
Not sure how much the SWP would offer over the Portamig. The Parweld should be a step above the Sip, but perhaps a much smaller step.
However, I'm now wondering if it is worth stretching the budget past the Portamig.
I should mention as well I plan to change to "Argoshield light" type shielding gas - I won't be continuing with CO2.
Thoughts/suggestions?
-Brian.