MIG (Multi-process) recommendation

[ferspergeoron]

Hi all,

I've got an old buzz box arc welder which I use as a hobbyist making furniture and the odd bit of vehicle repair. I'd like to give MIG a go, but don't have a huge amount of room so would like to get rid of the arc welder and replace with a MIG which is also multi-process. I know these are not going to be as good as a dedicated unit for each process, but I'm really limited on space and am just a hobbyist so happy to compromise. Most of the stuff I weld is ~2.5mm thick mild steel. I'd like to get something around the £500 mark.

Anyone have any experience with these sorts of units? Or any recommendations?


Cheers,

Matt

 

[eddie49]

Most inverter MIG welders ( as opposed to the traditional transformer-based ones ) also provide the option of Arc welding ( known as MMA ). For low-end machines, search this Forum for Stahlwerk, Blackline, Rohr, Uptime, StaticArc. For mid-range, try Sherman, GYS, Jasic.

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

I think Paton do a 160a machine for around your budget (see welding supplies direct link at the top of the page).

I don't have that particular model...I have a 250a with separate wire feed....you'd have to do some research I guess.

Pretty happy with my Paton.

Maybe also look at the autostar 160 which is a rebranded Jasic?

 

[dobbslc]

I usually leave this link to my GYS Easymig review for someone looking for a decent small machine.

GYS Easymig 140 review.

Well after umming and ahhring for ages about buying a mig welder I took the plunge. Thanks to everyone that has given me some good advice recently. I've chosen a GYS Easymig 140 as it was available at a place called Barnet Welding Supplies that is near me that I've been getting my gas from. Hi...

www.mig-welding.co.uk

I've had it 5 years now and although I don't use it much I fired it up last week and made a bracket for my roof purlin out of 4 / 5mm steel.
I've used it for mig and arc and I think it's pretty good.

 

[Tangledfeet]

Also the Lincoln Bester 190C; I have one (well, I won one for the school at which I teach metalwork) and its a belter of a wee machine.

Sadly, looks like the price is now closer to £600 now... it was circa £500 a a year or so ago.

 

[badabec]

Don't forget you'll need gas as well. The hobby bottles don't last long and are expensive. My SGS argon/CO2 cost about £200 initially.

 

[ferspergeoron]

Fantastic, thanks so much for all of the replies! I'd had my eye on a couple of the Paton welders - so good to know I was sort of on the right track! I'll have a look at the GYS review - thanks for that!

Out of interest, who are people using for gas? Is there a minimum annual requirement or anything like that? I'm just a hobbyist, so I'd imagine gas would last a while for me.

 

[DVA]

Also the Lincoln Bester 190C; I have one (well, I won one for the school at which I teach metalwork) and its a belter of a wee machine.

Sadly, looks like the price is now closer to £600 now... it was circa £500 a a year or so ago.

Does this work off a 13amp socket?

 

[Tangledfeet]

Does this work off a 13amp socket?

I don't know; in theory it should do - but you may not get full beans... your circuit breaker may trip.

 

[hotponyshoes]

Out of interest, who are people using for gas? Is there a minimum annual requirement or anything like that? I'm just a hobbyist, so I'd imagine gas would last a while for me.

There are basically 3 options for gas.
Disposable bottles,
Rent free bottles,
Contract bottles.

Disposable bottles only last for a very short period of time so quickly get expensive.

On rent free bottles you pay a fairly high charge up front to get the bottle with gas in it then just take back the empty and swap for a full one paying a refill charge.

Contract bottles you just pay for the gas fill upfront and a ongoing rental charge for the bottle.

Generally, if you use something between 1/4 of a bottle to 3 bottles a year rent free is the cheapest option if you can stomach the upfront cost. Some bottles come with a built in regulator and contain more gas which cost even more again but save you more in the long run.

 

[ferspergeoron]

That's spot on, exactly the info I was after - thanks so much @hotponyshoes!

 

[hotponyshoes]

Also worth mentioning,
With most of the rent free bottles you pay a deposit up front but if you decide you don't need the bottle any more you get a refund against the deposit when you return it

The amount you get back varies with supplier though so read the t&c's first.

Maybe post your location and somebody near you might tell you who they use

 

[doobin]

Any inverter MIG should do stick arc too, although you will probably need to buy the extra lead.

I really rate my RTech 180 machine.

Rent free bottles can normally be found at your nearest motor factors. For me, the biggest savings are that they bring me a new one out and take the empty one back in the van. So even though they are slightly more expensive to refil it's much less stress than dealing with BOC and the time savings are good.

 

[ferspergeoron]

For what it's worth - @Tom Orrow L recommended the Paton, so I've gone for the StandardMIG 200, and he's very kindly done me a deal on some consumables. Thanks again!