Mid range pro MIG?

[Richard.]

Bottom line neither one is better or worse as they each have there own benefits to suit the individual. It's a subject that's done to death "inverter vs transformer" and the out come is based on personal circumstance as to which is more suited. Which ever copes best on the supply and through use can be found out from practical experience but one thing is for sure ALL welding plants should have the right size cabling and sufficent supplies to avoid any possible damage they may suffer.

 

[Burdekin]

Just go talk to your local dealer and see what deals he can do for your budget. You want something that can be fixed when things wear out etc so go for a name brand.

Portamig or Oxford are decent British machines but not that portable, can be wheeled about but are heavy. But for £800 you could get one of these and then a little portable stick welder for welding outdoors and away from the workshop.

 

[Jim Davey]

Not sure if you are VAT registered but a Lorch M-Pro 170 is available for circa £850, I just sold one and it's a lovely little machine. Easily light enough to pick up and go places. £1020 inc. VAT though but you might get one a little cheaper if you are prepared to ring around etc.

 

[daleyd]

@NickyEng uses the warrior mig machines, he rates them very highly - may be worth a look?

 

[Kent]

Not sure if you are VAT registered but a Lorch M-Pro 170 is available for circa £850, I just sold one and it's a lovely little machine. Easily light enough to pick up and go places. £1020 inc. VAT though but you might get one a little cheaper if you are prepared to ring around etc.

You think a 170 set ok for gate and railing manufacture on 1 mm wire black Iron 12 mm and up?

 

[Kent]

Just go talk to your local dealer and see what deals he can do for your budget. You want something that can be fixed when things wear out etc so go for a name brand.

Portamig or Oxford are decent British machines but not that portable, can be wheeled about but are heavy. But for £800 you could get one of these and then a little portable stick welder for welding outdoors and away from the workshop.

He already has a little stick plant that's what he is using now

 

[Richard.]

Where does it say 12mm. I missed that post. I read it as

I'm primarily looking to switch to MIG so I can weld thin sheet steel (1mm, 2mm)

 

[Chris Stevens]

You think a 170 set ok for gate and railing manufacture on 1 mm wire black Iron 12 mm and up?

Lol.................seems the idea of a good quality used industrial 3 phase set, which will do all the OP wants, and is within his budget, is not popular on here...................

 

[daleyd]

Lol.................seems the idea of a good quality used industrial 3 phase set, which will do all the OP wants, and is within his budget, is not popular on here...................

It was mentioned about 15 posts ago. By yourself.

Nobody's saying it's not a good idea, just giving the op other choices if he decides he wants new.

 

[Kent]

Where does it say 12mm. I missed that post. I read it as

Just re read the post made again What he does, he will be reffering to the fact that most don't find it easy to cap off box section. The signs will also be expected to be something like 2-3 mm back plates

He don't mention 12 mm but his railings are going to look pretty pants if he is using thinner most will likely be 16 bar and 10 mm Flat
Mig allows a little more flexibility as you know it also don't get the Slag inclusions he speaks off and you tend to get these with short start stop runs around railing spindles

Sub 200 is underpowered for a guy in this line unless it's for little bits and he does say commercial

 

[Kent]

Lol.................seems the idea of a good quality used industrial 3 phase set, which will do all the OP wants, and is within his budget, is not popular on here...................

Seems you understand what the guys doing Chris. Yes the post wasn't crystal his mention of thinner stuff certainly threw some who know better if it was clearer at the op

 

[Jim Davey]

If that's what he's doing then no 170 won't cut it at all. I read the 1-2mm bit and made a recommendation based on that, sorry.

 

[Richard.]

If that's what he's doing then no 170 won't cut it at all. I read the 1-2mm bit and made a recommendation based on that, sorry.

That's what I saw also. I didn't read between the lines and guess what he'd be welding as I assume he would of said.

 

[Chris Stevens]

Maybe rather than disputing the pros and cons of inverter V transformer based Mig welders, it would be more helpful to read the OPs post, and come up with more helpful responses?

I woudnt want to be doing commercial work making gates and railings using anything other than a heavy duty 3 phase set, ideally with a wire feeder.

Plenty of these used are to be found on Ebay, and as most are from dealers I would guess they will have been checked over, and come with a warranty of some sort?

 

[daleyd]

Maybe rather than disputing the pros and cons of inverter V transformer based Mig welders, it would be more helpful to read the OPs post, and come up with more helpful responses?

I woudnt want to be doing commercial work making gates and railings using anything other than a heavy duty 3 phase set, ideally with a wire feeder.

Plenty of these used are to be found on Ebay, and as most are from dealers I would guess they will have been checked over, and come with a warranty of some sort?

From the OP Chris...

Changing the brief to a single phase transformer machine...any pointers?

 

[Chris Stevens]

From the OP Chris...

I for one woudnt want to be making gates and railings with a single phase transformer, but its up to the OP if he thinks thats the best possible option. Cant see that 200A is going to be a lot of good when welding 16mm bar, but if not much gate and railing work, then I guess 200A wont be a major problem.

 

[Burdekin]

Here's some used ones up this way. I don't know if they're a good price or not though.

https://www.gumtree.com/sellerads/1157417531?page=1

 

[daleyd]

I for one woudnt want to be making gates and railings with a single phase transformer, but its up to the OP if he thinks thats the best possible option. Cant see that 200A is going to be a lot of good when welding 16mm bar, but if not much gate and railing work, then I guess 200A wont be a major problem.

Agreed, but I read it that it may be used for taking out on site as well, which may sway it towards a single phase machine. If not then as you say you could probably get more for your money by opting for 3 phase.

 

[Jim Davey]

3 phase compact with a decent 4 metre torch or a separate but more money, for the shop. And a little stick set/welder genny for finishing up on site.

 

[Richard.]

You don't know the gage of this stuff unless ive missed a bit of info there is no mention of 10-12-16 mm. Gates and railings can be built very well from box or tube with 3,4,5 mm wall thickness. In this case a 200 amp set is sufficient.
If the op is looking to weld 12,16 mm then yes it's a big 3ph unit or stick plant. Where is the actual material gage mentioned.