Mig/Arc/Tig purchase

[foggie]

Hi all another newbie with probably the same old questions!!

Machine Mart have a sale on this weekend, 17 ½% on Clarke’s welding kit (if you have an invite) and I had intended to buy a 175TEC Mig welder.

However, after a few conversations with people, I am completely confused!

I need a welder for mods to a carbon steel motorcycle frame. Budget Max £350. Welding probably a max of 5mm plate but mostly thinner than that.

Its 25 years since I last welded at college, but I had a go on a MIG set a number of years ago and it seemed easier than Arc.
I have now been advised that a 140 amp Arc welder would be far better (£80!) I’m not sure if 140 Amps on an Arc welder equates to welding the same thickness on a Mig Welder.
Then someone else has advised to go for an Arc/Tig Invertor. Looking at the Machine Mart catalogue, I could run to £350 max so could afford a TIG155. Reading the blurb, it works as an Arc welder at 140 amps.

I can get Argon/Co2/Argonshield, gloves, shield etc via work as we also do welding. I can’t source a welding set in my price range cheaper via work!

So, Mig, Arc, Arc/Tig Invertor??

Cheers

Gary

http://www.aircooledrdclub.co.uk/forum/

 

[weldequip]

I wouldn't advise a straight arc welder as you would blow holes through thin sheet. An Inverter would give you the advantage of being able to weld thinner stuff very neatly with the TIG, aswell as thick section on the MMA side.
weldequip

 

[foggie]

Thanks,

What sort of thickness would a 140 amp Invertor weld?

Also, I think you mentioned on another post that a 181 Portamig? was they way to go. If I could run to that, what thickness would they weld. Presumably if I prep the edges, 5mm could be welded with a couple of runs?

 

[weldequip]

You would be able to weld 6-7mm on the stick side & anything from 4mm down to <1mm on the TIG side from a 130/140 amp Inverter. Take a look at www.inverterfusion.com British Inverter specialists.
The Portamig 181 would do 5mm yes, but outside your budget of £350.
weldequip

 

[foggie]

What does a Portamig cost? (I'm sitting down)

 

[weldequip]

Sit down with a bottle of whiskey & half way through it give me a tinkle with your credit card number
By the time you have finished the bottle you will have forgot you just spent 500 quid & when the machine arrives you will be glad you did
weldequip

 

[foggie]

Problem is the wife's got a long memory!

That's why I have a seperate secret slush fund!!

 

[Alex]

Sit down with a bottle of whiskey & half way through it give me a tinkle with your credit card number
By the time you have finished the bottle you will have forgot you just spent 500 quid & when the machine arrives you will be glad you did
weldequip

You should work out an equation for that and patent it


'W'/0.5+Tel+Card#=Portamig

 

[arceye]

Poramig

I was advised Portamig went bust several years ago,can you tell me please where the new Portamigs are made are they Chinese or Italian.

 

[Justme]

I am sure they are still alive & kicking & made in the UK. Thas MADE not assembled boxed labeled ect.

You can have one custom made with whatever extras you want I believe.
Justme

 

[weldequip]

The original Portamig did go bust in the 1980's (too many fingers in the pie!). The company that now make them bought the rights to the name, and they are designed & built from the ground up in England, using British components wherever possible. Their Inverter machines are imported but a lot of important design modifications are done here in the UK.
weldequip

 

[arceye]

Weldequip how long have you been in the service industry

 

[weldequip]

Since I was 19. 38 this year so err, 19 years.
weldequip

 

[Haze]

what kind of custom bits can u have on a portamig then?

 

[weldequip]

It's not that there is a long list of optional extras just that, as they are individually built to order, they are flexible in that you can say "put me a spot-weld timer on it" or "can I have a 4x4 wire drive on it & 110v input".
You could, in theory, specify more or less what you want I suppose.
weldequip

 

[mishka]

what kind of custom bits can u have on a portamig then?

Go-faster stripes, wider wheel arches, furry dice, chrome knobs...?
Sorry, could't resist!!

 

[Haze]

It's not that there is a long list of optional extras just that, as they are individually built to order, they are flexible in that you can say "put me a spot-weld timer on it" or "can I have a 4x4 wire drive on it & 110v input".
You could, in theory, specify more or less what you want I suppose.
weldequip

how about digital current control?

 

[weldequip]

You could have digital meters fitted, but for digital current control you would need an Inverter based machine or Thyristor controlled MIG.
weldequip

 

[Haze]

erm ok then how about oscilliscope? graphic equaliser? asdic?



no really suggest something cool :d

 

[Norman]

Another newcomer

Hi Folks,

Just about to start restoring a 1962 Ford Classic Capri which will
need quite a bit of welding. Having read through some of the threads
it seems a Clarke Mig is the welder to buy, but which one, and were is
the best place to purchase. I don't see the welder being used for
anything else except car body repair. I have no welding experience
so simple is good, any help greatfully accepted.

Regards Norman.