Hi folks,
I'm new to the forum, but have dabbled with welding over the past 10 or so years - chiefly evening classes followed by car restoration and assorted minor projects. My MIG welding stripes have been earned with an SIP Migmate 150 turbo.
Owing to circumstances, I have had no need for the welder for the past couple of years so it has been on a long-term loan to a friend. I now have space for a welder again and a few minor jobs that demand one - restoration of a 35 year old trailer and the fabrication of a decorative mirror frame in lightweight angle section to name a couple.
That leaves the issue of a replacement. I have searched the forum and have found it to be a wonderful source of reference material. Good as the Portamig 181 sounds, I am an occasional user in the extreme sense of the phrase and much as I enjoy using quality tools, I don't think I could justify the outlay.
Given how infrequently I am likely to use the machine, I'm not even particularly averse to disposable Argon/CO2 cylinders.
So, a long introduction to a simple question! What would you recommend in the compact range of machines? Other than sacrificing some of the SIPs bottom end, would a Clarke 151TE be ok, or is worth spending more on a Butters AMT170 for example?
All thoughts/comments/feedback gratefully received.
Many thanks.
Andy
I'm new to the forum, but have dabbled with welding over the past 10 or so years - chiefly evening classes followed by car restoration and assorted minor projects. My MIG welding stripes have been earned with an SIP Migmate 150 turbo.
Owing to circumstances, I have had no need for the welder for the past couple of years so it has been on a long-term loan to a friend. I now have space for a welder again and a few minor jobs that demand one - restoration of a 35 year old trailer and the fabrication of a decorative mirror frame in lightweight angle section to name a couple.
That leaves the issue of a replacement. I have searched the forum and have found it to be a wonderful source of reference material. Good as the Portamig 181 sounds, I am an occasional user in the extreme sense of the phrase and much as I enjoy using quality tools, I don't think I could justify the outlay.
Given how infrequently I am likely to use the machine, I'm not even particularly averse to disposable Argon/CO2 cylinders.
So, a long introduction to a simple question! What would you recommend in the compact range of machines? Other than sacrificing some of the SIPs bottom end, would a Clarke 151TE be ok, or is worth spending more on a Butters AMT170 for example?
All thoughts/comments/feedback gratefully received.
Many thanks.
Andy
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