new welder for trade/fabricator - rollcages etc

[nickson]

looking to buy a new mig welder soon. i have used old machines for years, where i used to work we used ancient migatronic and esab machines. when i started my buisness i bought a 2nd hand cebora 260amp mig which has been very good but starting not to weld quite as nice as it has in the past. plus i could do with another welder anyway.

as i have not looked at welders for so long im a bit out of touch as to whats decent these days, and so dont really know where to start looking. i dont mind buying new, or used, as long as its a decent machine that can be used day in/day out and produce quality welds.

i mainly weld rollcages so 2.6mm thick wall tube, and race car prep on bodyshells, so the welder will need to be able to weld anything from 1mm to 3mm with decent control, and i do a lot of pulse welding (manually with the trigger) so something that can cope with that, for thinner metalwork. i dont often weld anything thicker than 8mm so dont need anything mega powerful.

basically im just after advise as to the best machines to look at, the best manufacturers at the minute etc. i dont mind spending a couple of grand if needs be to ensure a decent product that can cope with daily commercial use. main thing is a machine that will produce perfect welds every time on both thin guage bodywork, and thicker 3mm tube.

look forward to your replies.
many thanks
nick

 

[BrokenBiker]

sounds to me like you want something like a portamig. Click the weld equip link at the top of the page, there is a good selection of migs on there and most have reviews on here

 

[500e]

There are a lot of factors to look at.
After sales service, life expectancy, spares, functions ( will you use them or are they just something else to go TU) Cost can be the last thing to look at.
We used Butters, 1st machine we got single phase, then Esab 3phase never looked for another make of mig

 

[Jim Davey]

Buy an EWM pulse mig, the Root Arc function is fantastic on thin sections and the smoothness of a modern pulse mig with perfect arc ignition will tick all your boxes.

 

[nickson]

thanks for the replys. where can i find the ewm stuff? would also be nice to have a play on a couple of machines before purchase?? im in surrey gu27

my welding supplies chap turned up today and gave me a brochure for the brand new lorch (im not sure how to spell it off top of my head) german brand. red machines.

any experience of them, he says they r the dogs!

cheers
nick

 

[nickson]

also just to note would much prefer a machine that will accept 15kg reels as i use a lot of wire

 

[KemppiFrog]

If 1 to 3 mm is your prime usage, then use a stick for the occasional 8mm and get a 180 amp mig for the daily use. Lorche, Lincoln or Kemppi alway seem to get the best ratings. Or Portamig at lower pricing.