Found this forum really helpful way back in 2018 when I first tried to get into welding so thought I’d return and ask some advice again.
Back in 2018 I ended up with an R-tech MIG welder that I planned to use to fabricate frames for coffee tables / dining tables / desks that I make the tops for. The timing was probably wrong and I was probably a bit to over ambitious at the time…. Either way it didn’t stick.
So what will I be welding - 3mm -4mm box section and some 2mm - 3mm plate for the most part although I’d like to be able to thinner plate material for patching jobs etc if ever needed.
Unlike last time I don’t have a proper brick built workshop now or 16amp power supply. The net result is I need something that will run off a 13amp plug, also I’d like gas less welding capability as whilst I know using flux can be a bit more messy I’m not anti a bit of extra cleaning up after. All that being said I’d like the machine to also be able to use gas so it’s future prof for me when I finally get a workshop. I know you can MIG with gas outside but I don’t want to be restricted to non windy days plus storage for a large gas bottle is a challenge.
In terms of budget I want to try and keep it sensible as I’ll need a mask as well as needing to invest in a cheap ish cut off saw as I’m not going down the route of trying to use an angle grinder to cut accurately again and figure a cut off has to be better than a grinder even if it’s not as good as a bandsaw.
Models I’ve looked at
Static Arc 140 which unknown has been reviewed here
GYS Easy Mig 140
GYS smart Mig 142
The GYS machines are down to their being a dealer in the next village up from me (I’m in south Cambs) and whilst they don’t stick either I’m figuring they could order in thus making any warranty worries a lot easier to deal with.
Would like to get some thoughts / feedback / suggestions.
Back in 2018 I ended up with an R-tech MIG welder that I planned to use to fabricate frames for coffee tables / dining tables / desks that I make the tops for. The timing was probably wrong and I was probably a bit to over ambitious at the time…. Either way it didn’t stick.
So what will I be welding - 3mm -4mm box section and some 2mm - 3mm plate for the most part although I’d like to be able to thinner plate material for patching jobs etc if ever needed.
Unlike last time I don’t have a proper brick built workshop now or 16amp power supply. The net result is I need something that will run off a 13amp plug, also I’d like gas less welding capability as whilst I know using flux can be a bit more messy I’m not anti a bit of extra cleaning up after. All that being said I’d like the machine to also be able to use gas so it’s future prof for me when I finally get a workshop. I know you can MIG with gas outside but I don’t want to be restricted to non windy days plus storage for a large gas bottle is a challenge.
In terms of budget I want to try and keep it sensible as I’ll need a mask as well as needing to invest in a cheap ish cut off saw as I’m not going down the route of trying to use an angle grinder to cut accurately again and figure a cut off has to be better than a grinder even if it’s not as good as a bandsaw.
Models I’ve looked at
Static Arc 140 which unknown has been reviewed here
GYS Easy Mig 140
GYS smart Mig 142
The GYS machines are down to their being a dealer in the next village up from me (I’m in south Cambs) and whilst they don’t stick either I’m figuring they could order in thus making any warranty worries a lot easier to deal with.
Would like to get some thoughts / feedback / suggestions.