Invertor Mig or not?

[Griff097]

I have read a gazillion Mig advice questions on here hoping to find my answer, but have ended up with more questions and hearing brands of welder that I have never even heard of mentioned so now even more confused what to do!

I only weld occasionally, usually fabricating racking, trolleys, car bodywork etc and have used a Boc/Sip Migmate for 20 odd years, always had occasional issues with spatter/poor penetration which I have put down to lack of practice or preparation, but after reading info on here I am wondering if it could be to do with wire feed?
I have bought a Eurotorch conversion which may alleviate this?

Speaking to a friend recently he mentioned the Invertor welders and how easy to use they are so I started looking into upgrading, initially thinking £4/500 would be ok, but now thinking it may need to be closer to £1000?

I prefer to buy once and buy right, noticed this machine mentioned in another thread http://www.weldequip.com/gys-smartmig-162.htm
which got me onto thinking is an invertor worth the money for me?

Any advice gratefully received.

Thanks Steve

 

[Tom Orrow L]

Hi Steve, You can get yourself a very nice inverter welder for around the £500/600 mark.
The GYS smartmig 162 you mentioned is a cracking machine but isn't an inverter, its a transformer machine.

What sort of thickness are you looking to weld? That'll help the lads the lads know what to recommend

 

[rikrobson]

There are several decent inverters depending on what poewer you require.

the is the R-tech 180 and the CWS 160 and IFL do a smaller one at around your budget. there are also non badged versions on the e-bay for alot less than the r-tech one, but they are sold by box shifters not a welding suppler.

 

[Bigjoe]

Also depends if you are planning to use it in one place or move it around alot

 

[Swift&Bold]

The invertor machine gives you the advantage of MIG, Stick and scratch TIG whereas a transformer won't. If you're planning on doing the occasional stick and TIG then it would be the type to go for rather than buying separate welders.
The transformer type are more reliable but heavier and generally physically larger but if you are static and will never TIG then you would get a very good machine for the price of a new invertor.

 

[julianf]

A forum member has just purchased a cws 160i unit, after asking a number of questions here about similarly priced machines.
He seems pretty pleased with the unit. Have a look for the current thread.

 

[Griff097]

I realised the one I linked to was not an invertor but it seemed a good package for the price?
Mostly thin gauge bodywork or think walled tube sometimes heavier plate up to 5mm.

Anything heavier than that and I use the stick welder.

Mostly used in one place and there is a 32A supply available for the plasma cutter.

 

[Swift&Bold]

Sounds to me like you don't need an invertor so a good transformer may be more suited?
The GYS you linked to is a well recommended machine on here.

 

[Tom Orrow L]

I realised the one I linked to was not an invertor but it seemed a good package for the price?
Mostly thin gauge bodywork or think walled tube sometimes heavier plate up to 5mm.

Anything heavier than that and I use the stick welder.

Mostly used in one place and there is a 32A supply available for the plasma cutter.

Can I throw the Weldteam Magizzy 170 into the ring like I always do? I absolutely love the machine & its got somewhat of a synergic MIG interface which can be really useful, I've laid some brilliant welds with it (even if I do say so myself) and its well within your budget.. Check it out and see if you like the looks of things.

 

[BrokenBiker]

I've just bought a cws...it's cracking and welds really well...

The weldteam unit looks to be good too with its auto mig mode

 

[Griff097]

Can I throw the Weldteam Magizzy 170 into the ring like I always do? I absolutely love the machine & its got somewhat of a synergic MIG interface which can be really useful, I've laid some brilliant welds with it (even if I do say so myself) and its well within your budget.. Check it out and see if you like the looks of things.

Can you explain what bonus the synergic interface to a thicko like me that just sticks bits of metal together please?

 

[BrokenBiker]

Can you explain what bonus the synergic interface to a thicko like me that just sticks bits of metal together please?

its quite simple...you have a switch on the front with 3 settings, MMA, MIG and AUTO MIG...if you set it to AUTO MIG you just alter the Voltage knob until it lies in the range for the thickness of material you are welding, and then the same for the wire feed speed...it is all colour coded and pretty much fool proof...

The GYS smartmig 162 has a similar type of front panel where it tells you what settings to use for various welds, the magizzy is just using inverter tech to take that a bit further.

 

[Tom Orrow L]

Pretty much what BB said

 

[Griff097]

As I like to keep good tools for a long time am I right in concluding that a transformer rig will outlast anot inverter unit on the basis of simplicity?

I see there are quite a few bikers on here

 

[Tom Orrow L]

Inverters can last forever so can transformers, transformer machines are a lot simpler with less to go wrong.

In my opinion it's adjustability and compactness vs simplicity and robustness.

 

[BrokenBiker]

Anything can break...it's down to design, component quality and amount of use...

I blew my transformer mig up 3 times...

 

[Kent]

Inverters do not generally give other processes unless they are bought as a multi process plant

 

[Kent]

I really get multi process though don't own one. Only from.the point of view that when people describe a job on the phone it's rarely how they said 1 mm becomes 1 cm steel becomes stainless steel etc etc etc.

Diy? Jury is still out on that one

 

[BrokenBiker]

Multiprocess from a commercial standpoint I definitely understand - especially if (as you imply) it's mainly site work.

I also get it from a DIY perspective - one box takes up less room.

But, imo a commercial quality machine isn't as likely to fall apart and scupper your 3 days holiday you've booked to do a project...

This is why I have 2 of every tool...

 

[Griff097]

This is why I have 2 of every tool...

I heard mention of a bargain Air Liquide Mig, what was the feedback on that as I am just about to order a new machine this weekend?