MIG/MMA or TIG/MMA

[beaker15]

Hi

New to the forum and could do with some advice on what type of machine would be best for me.

Basically I am looking at upgrading from my ancient AC stick welder to something that will allow me to weld a greater range of thicknesses.

Most of my work is automotive/motorsport stuff and therefore I would like to be able to weld body panels as well as thicker structural stuff such as tubular frames. It would be nice to be able to do more intricate stuff as well, like camera mounts and jigs. For any really rough work I’ll just use stick.

Thinking of spending up to £500.

would I be better with a MIG machine that has MMA capability or a DC-TIG with MMA?

Also is DC stick as good as some people say (compared to AC)?

 

[daleyd]

If you can stretch another 70 quid you could get the IFL 170 amp machine which can do all 3. (You need to purchase the optional tig torch, and would require another bottle of pure argon for tig though, they could be this years xmas present!!)

http://www.weldequip.com/ifl-170-mig.htm

From weldequip site in banner above..

Welcome to the forum btw

Other options are available, rtech do a few multi process ones though they don't seem to mention tig. Thermal arc ones do TIG but might be a bit above your budget,

 

[beaker15]

hi!


That looks like a lot of machine for the money! It is very tempting ….


I will definitely put it on the shortlist, though sadly I am trying to stick to my budget


What sort of reputation do the thermal ark and jasic machines have?

 

[daleyd]

thermal arc are very well regarded, jasic im not sure on but they do have a 5 year warranty.

If your looking to stick to under £500 check out the rtech range, their 180 amp model comes in at £440 but it doesn't mention TIG.

Ive got one of RTECH's Mig/Tig/Stick sets and its very good, much better than a buzz box type unit - much easier to get a decent weld with.

 

[wheresmejumper]

What amps does your ac welder put out?
a cheap and effective way to easier welding is rectify it to a dc welder.probably cost 50 quid.another 50 for a torch and you have the exact same tig setup as any of the mentioned '3 in 1' machines.
then you have 400 quid to get a nice mig,which is probably what you will use the most

 

[Kent]

DC MMA / TIG comes to mind, only downside is TIG don't like rusty contaminated thin stuff to the degree MIG will still function. TIG is the danglies on small parts and seems to have become the norm on cages these days ( I don't do this work anymore though)
A three in one? well once you add the Argon for TIG and then argon / co2 mix gasses for MIG all the torches that are not supplied your into far greater than budget.
I am picking up a 3-1 Thermal arc shortly the fabricator 252i but your like 4 times the money then, though they do a smaller 3-1 that could be worth a look (remember no TIG torch. no bottles, no regs etc) it adds up

 

[beaker15]

I think the AC welder goes up to 140A I’m liking the sound of the rectifier idea…. Is there any off the shelf devices than can be used to rectify the AC to DC?

trending towards a mig machene i think...

 

[wheresmejumper]

The needed couple of parts are always on ebay as spares,usually togetherin one lot.
140 amp buzzbox is too small to justify the spending on though,mainly due to its duty cycle.it would have slightly less power too after rectifying so its not a good idea.

 

[Bill Edwards]

^^^ I wouldn't bother using a rectifier, you can buy a decent inverter welder for under £200 (even as low as £90).
For another £80 you can have a TIG torch and regulator (take a look on here at the Volkzone gas offer to see what gas will cost you).

http://www.weldequip.com/parweld-xti160.htm

Inverters (such as the one I link to) tend to have helpful extras, such as hot start and anti stick to make them a little nicer to use.

The only downside of one of these for a TIG is it is lift TIG, not considered great if you have a lot to do as HF start it nicer.


If you want a MIG instead then you could either get one of the machines that does both or have them separate. I like the idea of the multi process machines, though depending on how you work you might need to consider what will happen if you have one machine for everything and it breaks - will it cause you a problem?

Personally I would consider a stick inverter such as the Parweld or http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/161552010833?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2661&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT and a MIG such as http://www.weldequip.com/gys-smartmig-162.htm

MIG may be a little easier to pick up, TIG is considered harder.

 

[daleyd]

^^ bills idea sounds good if you have the space. Works out cheaper than a multi process!

 

[beaker15]

All these great ideas! I’ll go and do a little more research before making a final decision.


Might get a TIG machine as it would be a superb chance to learn a new skill (I am an engineer by trade so it could be worth learning in the long run), whilst still being able to use the MMA side that I am familiar with.


All being well I will be back on here looking for advice on how to actually weld :P

 

[Kent]

Having but one machine that breaks? Well what are we saying here, can we stick weld 22 swg sheet etc? I think it more important to look at warranty, aftersales and the locality of the people who will actually repair the plant if it goes wrong.
For me "personally" I never quite know what I am faced with till I get there so a 3-1 is likely a handy thing, it saves two trips or filling the truck ready for anything short of a nuclear war. Although I wont have only one plant I also don't want any equipment not constantly paying their way and taking up room, I already have too many fishing rods, reels, guns, rifles and such but they are nice things welding plants are just a tool
No, having put much thought into it having three individual plants is far more costly buying them as lower priced / lesser quality units.
The £500 budget of the op bothers me though, if the full brief is to be for filled I suppose its going to be second hand with a MMA/TIG inverter and a DIY type MIG with two bottles Argon and argon /co2 mix