Help choosing a Mig for Newbie, Thankyou.

[AndyUk]

HiAll. My Name is Andy, And basically, im looking to purchase a Mig Welder
That would be both suitable and sufficient for my needs plus the tasks at hand, Im very new to Welding and basically a newbie, I would love to make my own gym equipment upto 11 Gauge thickness, plus have fun creating chasis for kitcars, i understand this is a huge task for a beginner, and without doubt plenty of mistakes ahead, but what type if Mig would best suit me for the job, I have been recommended (through a friend of a friend )
That a Lincoln 180c single phase mig would be suitable, Any takes on this,
Couple of Qestions.
Is there something cheeper i could start out with, i dont mind going the used route i recommended.
What other used machines and makes would be more suitable
Just purchase the Lincoln 180c Single Phase.
Your input and Guidance would be GREATLY WELCOME'D.
Thank You, Andy.

 

[cumbriasteve]

Let us know your budget, but some advice I think many others will agree with... buy once and buy right, even if you have to break the bank or save a bit longer.

Without knowing anymore than you say I would be looking at a Portamig and the 235 amp if you could afford it, you would have a MIG that would cope with your demands and last for many years.

A cheap MIG will soon have you realising it's not going to do the task and you then lose out selling it to help finance what you really needed from the start.

 

[AndyUk]

Thanks Steve. My Budget at the moment would be around 450/£500 tops at present, but i would ideally wait out a 2mth stretch if meaning i pick up 1 wich is ideal for my needs and future projects to come,
May i ask would buying from new would be the best way to go or does it not really matter that much, Again thanks for your advice.

 

[cumbriasteve]

Thanks Steve. My Budget at the moment would be around 450/£500 tops at present, but i would ideally wait out a 2mth stretch if meaning i pick up 1 wich is ideal for my needs and future projects to come,
May i ask would buying from new would be the best way to go or does it not really matter that much, Again thanks for your advice.

I suppose I am speaking from experience that many others have, I bought a 2nd hand MIG that was useless, then bought a cheapie that was shiny but no better really, I then bought the Portamig 235, I have used it for a year now and can't praise it enough, I have not had one wire feed problem and the welding is a pleasure to do.

The supplier we use is Weldequip at the top of this page, a decent bloke to deal with, it comes with a regulator as well.

So unless you are lucky and can find a mint condition machine and they do sometimes come up for sale then yes buying new is what I would do.

An auto darkening helmet from Ebay for around £25 will do you, thats what I got and it's been great too, I may buy a quality one in the future but am in no rush

 

[mike os]

I paid about that for a miller 171 which I can't fault despite having it for a few years & wanting a portamig. (more power & lower bottom end... just cant justify it).. should be plenty for what you need... min 30a IIRC so OK or thin, but you need to spend more for lower

 

[rocketron]

I agree with Cumbriasteve, had shiny cheapo's that were moneywasters, had a heavier s/h one which had more spent than expected, and out of the blue my boss got me a new Portamig and is a pleasure to use. Loads of good machines available, but many of us now are Portamig converts. 'Nuff said?

 

[AndyUk]

May i Thank Steve once again for his valid sound advice also to Mike and Rocketron.
For your advice. Im Going to go with the Portamig 235, ive been reading up on the net a little earlier, and its nothing but praise for this Machine, So im actually very excited now hahaha, i will however have to wait a mth maybe 2@ most but this is the route im going down, and very much looking forward to, i will check out Weld Quip, Thankyou Again Guy's.

 

[AndyUk]

P.S A quick 1 for Steve, You mentioned a Auto Darkening helmet, Get this, ive recently purchased near to new condition a Kemper Autoflow Auto darkening Mask for £50, Bargain or what.

 

[cumbriasteve]

P.S A quick 1 for Steve, You mentioned a Auto Darkening helmet, Get this, ive recently purchased near to new condition a Kemper Autoflow Auto darkening Mask for £50, Bargain or what.

Oh Yeah I read there was a batch of rejects being sold ...joke

Don't forget the Portamig can take a couple of weeks or so to come, they are sort of made to order, Steve at Weldequip will advise when to order to match your budget

 

[alexblack13]

Draper... !!!!!

Just ordered a new Clarke 160 from Weldequip. Impressed with the back up and spares etc and oh how I wish I had wised myself up before I bought the pile of junk from Kraper.. I mean Draper..Sorry (typo)..

Question.. Before I throw it in the skip (less than 25hrs total time!!) is it worth striping off some 'spares' Or how's about an Ebay.. Ahem 'bargain' for someone to try fixing (I'm not!)

Looking forward to getting my new machine now..

alexblack13

 

[Robotstar5]

Question.. Before I throw it in the skip (less than 25hrs total time!!) is it worth striping off some 'spares' Or how's about an Ebay.. Ahem 'bargain' for someone to try fixing (I'm not!)

As long as you describe it as "faulty" or "spares or repair" put it on and you'll get something back

 

[alexblack13]

Thanks..That's the way I'm thinking. Don't like taking anyone for a ride but it will make a good spares machine as it's done so little work. Wire feed,torch, cables etc...

The more I think about it the more annoyed I get...

No reply what so ever from Draper..Total silence!

Never again.

AB

 

[mike os]

just make sure to emphasise that it is dead, does not work, is a deceased welder etc....

 

[cumbriasteve]

Ebay are so much on the side of the buyer now that even mentioning in the desription it is faulty often fails, they often allow the buyer to return stating yes it was mentioned but could have been missed.

Put it in the title

DRAPER MIG _ NOT WORKING - SPARES OR REPAIR

That sort of thing and then repeat in big bold letters in the description and state no return accepted

its amazing how many idiots buy something thinking they can belt it with a screwdriver and all will be fine, then start complaining when it does not work.