Hello new here, i want to buy a mig

[john westbrook]

I want to buy a mig, my budget is around £180-200.
i.m restoring an old mini so will be doing floor pans panels etc.
Whats a decent one to go for in this price range, i.m working outside as well.
I previously had a 130 gaslees one which kept on blowing holes in everything even on the lowest setting
Can anyone suggest one that would suit .
Any advice would be appreciated.
thanks john

 

[eddie49]

Have you considered an inverter MIG welder? Smaller, lighter, cheaper, and with fully-variable power range so will be easier to weld thin rusty metal. They are nearly always capable of Gas/Gasless operation, and often will do Arc as well as MIG in the same box - so you could start by using the Arc function to make a rotisserie for your Mini !
The downside is they are more unreliable than a traditional transformer-based machine, and pretty much irreparable if they do fail.
For more info, search this Forum for Static Arc, Uptime, Rohr, Stahlwerk, Blackline.

 

[Jim Davey]

At that budget I’d be looking for something like a used murex tradesmig 160 or similar. Either that or try and add a bit more to the budget and get a Clarke 150.

 

[northwest]

Take Jim's advice. He knows a bit about welders.

 

[Bigjoe]

Hello and welcome, What Jim said!

 

[john westbrook]

If anyone knows a decent second hand one can you give me a shout. thanks

 

[john westbrook]

Are the clarke 135 TE.s any good

 

[duncans]

welcome to the forum you will get plenty of advice off members as they are very friendly lot

 

[Bigjoe]

Clarke 135 is a good fit machine, will serve you well as a starter spark maker, many people have them for years

 

[john westbrook]

Theres a snapon pro mig 150 duo for sale near me, are they any good ? and roughly how much second hand should i go to. its got a full gas bottle and works well.

 

[eddie49]

The early Snap-on branded machines were actually Ceboras from Italy, so pretty good. The current ones are Chinese, and are a bit rubbish. Either way, the problem is the premium that you'll be asked to pay, just for the name. Additionally, you need to get exact details of the "gas bottle". Is it a real cylinder, or just a disposable with 5-minutes duration? If a cylinder, is it CO2 ( pub gas ) or Argon mix? Does it come with a regulator? Is it legal? Rent-free with a deposit, or on a contract to BOC ( = not legal to sell it ) ?
The MIG may be worth about £150.

This is a tidy Cebora 130, they have a good reputation:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BOC-MIGMASTER-130-TURBO-MIG-WELDER-CEBORA-SNAP-ON/203244154380

 

[john westbrook]

The early Snap-on branded machines were actually Ceboras from Italy, so pretty good. The current ones are Chinese, and are a bit rubbish. Either way, the problem is the premium that you'll be asked to pay, just for the name. Additionally, you need to get exact details of the "gas bottle". Is it a real cylinder, or just a disposable with 5-minutes duration? If a cylinder, is it CO2 ( pub gas ) or Argon mix? Does it come with a regulator? Is it legal? Rent-free with a deposit, or on a contract to BOC ( = not legal to sell it ) ?
The MIG may be worth about £150.

This is a tidy Cebora 130, they have a good reputation:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BOC-MIGMASTER-130-TURBO-MIG-WELDER-CEBORA-SNAP-ON/203244154380

Thanks mate

 

[john westbrook]

Is a low amp mig best for welding thin/ rusty metal, so it doesnt keep blowing through? if so what amp/mig should i look out for .
thanks

 

[a111r]

The early Snap-on branded machines were actually Ceboras from Italy, so pretty good. The current ones are Chinese, and are a bit rubbish. Either way, the problem is the premium that you'll be asked to pay, just for the name. Additionally, you need to get exact details of the "gas bottle". Is it a real cylinder, or just a disposable with 5-minutes duration? If a cylinder, is it CO2 ( pub gas ) or Argon mix? Does it come with a regulator? Is it legal? Rent-free with a deposit, or on a contract to BOC ( = not legal to sell it ) ?
The MIG may be worth about £150.

This is a tidy Cebora 130, they have a good reputation:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BOC-MIGMASTER-130-TURBO-MIG-WELDER-CEBORA-SNAP-ON/203244154380

Here's a Cebora Snap-on, nice low 20 Amps, nearby the OP and a good price, so far.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Snap-On-Welder-Pro-Mig-160-Welding-Machine/402642285326?hash=item5dbf59b30e:g:PsQAAOSwig9f~M00&LH_ItemCondition=4

 

[eddie49]

Here's a Cebora Snap-on, nice low 20 Amps, nearby the OP and a good price, so far.

That is a good machine, Italian made, useful low Amps range, nice condition, and the Seller seems to be competent. Definitely worth a bid, up to £200.

 

[a111r]

Or make him a cash offer, somehow?

 

[john westbrook]

Or make him a cash offer, somehow?

Tried he wont have it, whats the ideal power ouput for mig welding thin car metal ? just dont want something too powerful blowing holes through everything.
would about 25amps be about right

 

[a111r]

25 A is good and low.