help which welder do i get

[symon776]

hi there benn looking to buy a new welder but not sure which one to get been looking at the weldmate sip there lots of caash well for me it is and only want to spend it once any advise would be good thanks symon

 

[Rich.C]

Hi Symon,

It depends on what budget you are on and what exactly (metal thickness etc) you want to use the machine for.

Clarke welders are excellent for diy users.

Cheers,

Rich.

 

[irondarren]

A lot depends on your budget, the cheap cheap ones are always what they are cheap build quality and dont weld particularly nice. The clarke ones seem to be the best of the cheaper bunch, with reasonable build quality and welding quality

 

[symon776]

thank`s its for welding trailers up to about 5mm thick angle down to about 2mm thickness but i never kn what i be doing tomorrow im ment to be doing the trailers for a living and the budget is about £1300 at the mo so only want to spend it once this is why i only want to buy the one welder

 

[irondarren]

I just bought a portamig 300amp with seperate wire feed unit, that came in at under 1300 quid for a single phase machine. A seperate wire feed unit is much nicer than the compact type machines, because it allows you more working radius from the machine, mine has a 5mtr torch and gives me a 10 mtr radius away from the machine. In terms of power to weld 5mm thick i would say a 250amp machine, it can be done with a 180amp machine, but for speed of welding a 250amp machine will enter in spray transfer mode at about 220amps (wire size and gas dependant) which is far quicker at welding than dip transfer mode, but only works in spray transfer on the flat and not positional. Either way there are plenty of good quality machines available for that sort of money, including ESAB, Murex and kemppi.
what power supply do you have single or 3 phase

 

[symon776]

its single phase i have looked at the one`s with seperate wire feed thanks for yr help i have anothere look tomorrow lol symon