Novice Mig buying question

[eddypeck]

looking at entry level MIGs, and I showed one I'd found at a good price to the guy running my college course. He pointed out it only had a low/high switch not a dial for power rating.

He said if I can, get one with a dial as it offers more control but this is a considerable step up in terms of initial cost. It might mean I buy one for life rather than find I want to upgrade in a year or two. And I know the old saying get the best you can afford. But the thing is I can't really afford.

It might be he's had the luxury of always using professional gear rather than home user stuff, so what's the real deal living with just a low/high switch unit? As I'm sure a lot of you on here use this kind of welder everyday.

thanks in advance. and sorry if this is an age old question repeated again!

 

[cumbriasteve]

Whilst a dial is nice there is no reason switches should not suit you fine, the main criteria is the number of steps across the power range, the smaller machines usually have 4 across up to 130 amps.

If its a machine with just a high and low setting then that's too restrictive.

 

[eddypeck]

Thanks, one of the ones I'm looking at is a Sealey SuperMig 140. It has a min/max switch and a 1/2 switch so I guess that's the 4 settings:

min + 1
min + 2
max + 1
max + 2

I'm looking at their website now, the first one they do with a dial is MightyMig 170 which is a big jump up in price, The dial goes up to 6, but I've downloaded the instructions and it says

Power Output switch Set the switch to position 1 or 2 for welding up to 2mm thickness. Use settings 3,4,5,6. for thicker welds"

So I guess I'd only use 1 or 2 anyway, so just as well go with a switch! The other main benefits of the 170 is a euro torch and full size bottles. I guess if I can find a 2nd hand MightyMig 170 or similar for the price of a new SuperMig 140 then I get to make that decision.

 

[Jan]

Although 4 steps is a little on the low side for a 130/150 amp machine, you also have a 'fine tuning' control included in the wire feed speed control. It doesn't alter the actual setting by much, but at least it's there and is useable.