ONE MORE,,, which welder to buy

[Ken Smith]

With a birthday coming up shortly I have promised (her-in-doors) that if she buys me a welder I can produce many other items on the wish-list (other than book-shelves, garden furniture etc. etc.). The question is which welder? For a complete novice Mig (gas/no gas) Tig. or Arc, not expensive in case of a complete failure on my part. We are visiting UK., shortly ,ideal buying time,but having said that there are Mig welders available in our local Brico-Depot (d.i.y. shop) comparable in price to 'Machine Mart'.
Any help would be welcome,
Cheers for now,
Ken S

 

[cumbriasteve]

For a complete novice: MIG is more flexible and easier to use on thinner material with a cleaner finish, arc is cheaper if your work is with steel from 3mm and above, takes a bit of getting used to and also takes a bit of cleaning up afterwards.

A good hobby mig capable of quite a lot is the Clarke 150 amp, one of the best of the hobby range without going to the expensive machines.

TIG is what mig welders sometimes move onto when they get more experience and want to weld different materials, it is however more expensive to set up and use than mig.

 

[Wozzaaah]

+1 for Steve's advice.
A 150 amp mig welder is very versatile for those 'around the home' jobs and also takes up very little room. The clarke 160TM is a decent little machine to consider.

 

[mike 109444]

Ken don't forget if you go the "mig" route to budget for a mask (£40 >) (preferable auto darking), Gas(£ ??) (preferable refillable bottle) Leather gauntlets (£ 10 <) (I find the Tig type better than the "Welder gloves" which are more like boxing gloves!!) Check out prices of these items in France befor your UK trip might be cheeper in UK?
If you can post some specs of your local shops welders then guys on here may pass judgment on suitability.

 

[Ken Smith]

Specs of Migs available 'En Francais'

Hi Mike,
thanks for advice, the one I was looking at is as follows;
Semi-automatic
30-145 Amps.
Non gas
6-9mm wire
Thermostatic protection
It comes complete with mask (probably hand-held) and the price is 279Euros about £224...
Cheers
Ken S

 

[keith19]

Ken, is this only non-gas? It would be far better if you had the choice of both in one machine. The Clarke 151EN is a fairly cheap model with dual gas or no-gas facility, and isn't much more expensive than the one you have specified. Link below.
http://www.wilstar.co.uk/products/2/118/clarke_151en_mig_the_welding_centre_surbiton/