I need help on the DO and DON'TS of buying a mig.

[bleach]

I going to vancover for a few weeks(about 5-6 hour drive one way.) to get a used or new mig. I don't want to take home a crap mig. also is there any thing else i need to look out for? (if i do buy used i going to make sure it works.)

I know that the :

-DON'TS are
-Cosmo
-sip
-cheap copys

-DO are
-Lincoln
-Miller
-Portamig
-Clarke

thanks again on helping a noob at this.

 

[shenion]

Don't go by the stated max metal thickness, they tend to be inflated.

Basically, take the max thickness metal you will be using and get one that says it will do 2x.

Get either a gas only or gas/gasless MIG. The gasless MIGs usually can not be upgraded easily.

I have a Miller, Lincoln and Clarke MIG here. All are excellent units. The Clarke was inexpensive and is the best value. The Miller and Lincoln units are pricey, but the are good machines.

Look at duty cycle. The smaller machines may have low duty cycles at their upper settings. You might find a 180A machine at 60% duty cycle and a 200A machine at 40%. The 180 would probably be a better machine. Look at the machine is rated at 60%, that seems to be a common standard.

 

[malcolm]

Sounds like you are on the right track there. I'd probably ask a couple of questions:

How much have you got to spend? Welders tend to get nicer as you increase the budget. If you've got a load of money buy a nice one as they are much easier to use.

What thickness do you need to weld? The max amps from the catalogue tends to be a more accurate indicator of maximum thickness than the manufacturers maximum thickness claims from the manufacturer. Lincoln and Miller used to be much more accurate than the lower budget manufacturers who overestimated by 2 times. Miller even underspecified my TIG. They called it a 300 amp when the max is actually 375 amps. Well it can't weld all day at 375 they say. Proper old school stuff they've changed now.

Lincolns and Millers are your best bet if you are prepared to spend the money. Go with the amp calculator on the buyers guide to help decide which one (that page really needs updating and won't offer much more help than the calculator).

Or if you want to weld something fancy come back for different advice.

 

[bleach]

"What thickness do you need to weld?"
-about 1mm-10mm if that.
"How much have you got to spend?"
-about 1000 can so that roughly 500 in the UK.(i think)

dos anyone know about Hobart Handler migs? also i just got myself a different helmet it's a Lincoln ultrashade platinum II it rocks. (so far)what do ya think?

"Or if you want to weld something fancy come back for different advice."

-like what brass welding?? i might want to try to weld Aluminum.

 

[malcolm]

weldequip's post on which MIG to buy suggested some possibles (compared to the Clarke):

For you American viewers the Lincoln SP170, Millermatic 175 & Hobart Handler 180 ALL have 11/10 in comparison with the above.
weldequip

MIG Brazing is generally done with expensive synergic machines, If you were interested in MIG brazing then TechnicAl had a good observation about the Lincoln:

The characteristic of the SP170-I is ideally suited to MIG brazing...... They have now sold thousands of these for MIG Brazing to garages etc all over the world.

I'd guess your price range would get you 180-200 amps. 200 amps would penetrate through 6mm (1/4 inch), and would manage 10mm with joints prepped to a V shape.

For aluminium you would again ideally want TIG or a synergic MIG. Can be done with ordinary MIG if you have a plastic or teflon wire liner and smooth wire rollers (not knurled). But it's tricky.

Though a steel wire liner is much better for welding steel so it's probably best just to find out where to buy spares before buying the welder.

I'd knock Clarke off the list unless power and cost is more important than quality. Quality just makes welders easier to use and require less fiddling.