Please advise me on Sealey MightyMIG 150

[RJB]

Hi there,
I am new to welding and have done very little work so far on my colleges MIG welder. I am interested in getting myself a resonably priced, decent MIG welder that is capable of using with gas and without gas, for my major project coming up in the near future.
I have done some research on various models and have come across the Sealey MightyMIG 150 which seems to do everything i need a welder for at a resonable price.
If there is anyone who owns, has used, or knows about the MightyMig 150, or something similar, could you please give me some advice on how it performs, what it is capable of, the quality of the work, and things to look out for. This would be much appreciated, thanks.

I have attatched the specification of the machine which i have found if this helps, as i dont really understand an awful lot of the duty cycles etc. at the moment.

Specifications

Model No: esl2009 MIGHTYMIG150
Maximum Current: esl2009 150A
Wire Capacity: esl2009 0.9kg
Duty Cycle: esl2009 100% @ 30A, 15% @ 105A
Cooling System: esl2009 Forced Air
Gas Type: esl2009 CO2, Argon, CO2/Argon Mix
Torch: esl2009 Non-Live
Power Input: esl2009 230V - 1ph
Absorbed Power: esl2009 4.5kW
Case Size: esl2009 Medium
Weight: esl2009 26kg
Gasless Consumables: esl2009
Flux Cored Wire (0.9kg x Ø0.9mm): esl2009 TG100/1
Replacement Tips 0.9mm (Pack of 5): esl2009 TG100/2
esl2009 For use with 0.9kg Gasless and 0.7kg Mild Steel Wire Reels only.

Any information would be great to know as i am just starting out with welding and it is all much appreciated, thank-you.
Richard.

 

[astro_al]

Wow, that is one crap duty cycle.

15% at 105A??? Did you miss-type that, should it be 15% at 150A, otherwise how can they call it a 150A machine?

Al.

 

[RJB]

Hi, erm i copy/pasted the spec from another site, maybe it was a typo on their part, not too sure, but wherever i seem to look it says 15% @ 105A. So i dont know really what to expect from that machine. Could you recommend any other MIG's that would be better and not too expensive to me please, if you think this one isnt any good?
Thanks very much,
Richard.

 

[astro_al]

Try to find the specs somewhere else. If that is the true value, you're better off without it. 15% means you can use it at that amperage (105A) for 1.5 minutes in every 10, which is useless, and at higher amps the duty cycle will be even less. I expect its a typo though.

Sorry, I can't help with other cheap machines, but there are a million threads on here with a similar theme, start reading.

Al.

 

[RJB]

OK, thanks very much for your help, has made it a lot clearer for me what to look for. I have come across the PortaMIG185 and this seems to have a decent spec on it, i might stretch to the double cost of the Sealey to get a decent machine that will last.

Thanks again,
Richard.

 

[weldequip]

Think you'll find the figures are correct, all of the smaller stuff are pretty much the same Duty Cycle wise. 100% @ 30 Amps does the job though for what they are designed for, ie.DIY thin sheet welding, with occasional blasts at full power.
What type of work is the machine for?

 

[RJB]

Hi, its just really for general fabrication on 90degree steel, but I'm thinking of more and more uses for a MIG. I think that the duty cycle is going to be a bit frustrating on that Sealey, so I might look at the PortaMIG 185 which looks like a decent machine, because I would like something that is going to last a long time and not break on me.
Sorry for not replying sooner, I have been away for a few days.

Thanks for your help! Any advice is much appreciated as I'm just starting out with welding.

Cheers,
Richard.