New mig welder advice

[Smeggedup]

Hi all


First post and it's been awhile since I've welded


But I'm building a brewery here in sunny doncaster so in need of a good gas mig welder.

I'll mainly be welding stainless steel to a max of about 4-5mm also some quite thin stuff, but will also be welding mild steel and maybe aluminum.
I'm looking for some thing around the £180 mark ish. But will adjust that depending on advice.

I've not got any welding kit, gloves, mask or anything so will need that stuff to. So maybe a kit, I've looked on ebay at the rhyas ones, and the wolf but I've heard Clarke are the ones to go for is this true if so which model and where's the best place to buy them from

Cheers smeggedup

 

[cumbriasteve]

Your budget is not going to hit the 'good welder' mark I'm afraid, especially if 5mm is one of your requirements, you want a minimum of 150amps and a bit more is even better.

The GYS 160 would be a decent choice and I personally rate the Clarkes, the 150 / 160 for example.

http://www.weldequip.com/gys-smartmig-162.htm

Ignore a kit for mask and gloves etc, you will end up with cheap rubbish and probably a hand held face shield and the plastic handled chipping hammer that's only good for toffee.

For a decent machine, safety kit and gas set up you will probably be looking at the £400 to £500 if bought new.

 

[Smeggedup]

How about this one

Agreed on the kits with toffee hammers

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=301026288364

 

[cumbriasteve]

That is one of the new cheaper range with a higher bottom setting of 40amps, they are usually 25 or 30.

Saying that it may do what you want, I have not seen any real feedback on owners of that machine to offer any strong views either way.

 

[Smeggedup]

What thickness would the 40amps get me down to on stainless steel

 

[cumbriasteve]

Probably not much thicker than a 30amp set would get you down to, they are both capable of blowing holes through thin steel all too easily once you get down to the 1mm region.

Technique probably offers more of a difference than 10 amps will.

 

[Smeggedup]

This is the thinnest stuff I'll be welding

http://www.brewline.co.uk/brewery-fittings/union-parts/rjtblankcapsstainlesssteelpressed/

And these

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=321499000224


Thanks for your help

 

[Richard.]

I'm going to burst your bubble now but for that budget capable of welding 5mm stainless and Ali I'd say you have got no chance
Your really going to need a 200 amp machine as Ali demands more current. Also your going to need 2 gas bottles. (2.5% mix stainless and pure for Ali) you will need steel liner and v grove rollers for the steel and stainless and a Teflon liner with U rollers for the Ali unless you want to be throwing chewed up wire away.
I think your going to be looking around the £500 mark and that's a cheap set with with a couple of gas bottles. Throw in some PPE and consumables £600 at best.

 

[Smeggedup]

Forget the Ali then it would only be plating for flooring that could be bolted done.
As long as it does the stainless and mild it will be fine

 

[Richard.]

It's still not a going to happen.
You still need something in the 180-200 max amp range.
Used migs of any reasonable quality are going for more than 200 quid.
You probably will find some brand that will accommodate to your welding requirements. But if it's to under go any strain I don't fancy your chances.
I could recommend nothing for that.