Seriously whats the difference gas or gassless??

[Dan The Welder Man]

i use to TIG weld, but now want to MIG weld. it looks much quicker and reliable. can you explain what the real difference is between a gas MIG and a gasless MIG. does it effect the weld, the finish or what.

Im not sure can u help.

im also after a cheap MIG to start to see if a really do like it.

can you recomend a good MIG for under £160 ish.

Thanks,

 

[fingers99]

MIG is quicker. It should not be more reliable (the opposite, if anything). It's much less versatile.

Gasless is great for outside work, but generally the weld quality won't be as good and you may well struggle on thinner materials. AFAIK, you can't get gasless stainless wire.

Depending on the thickness of the work, plain old Arc may be superior to MIG, and is also more versatile. (Dif, hard facing, etc.)

 

[shenion]

Gasless works but...

It is too hot for thin metals: 1.5mm minimum
Hard to see due to smoke.
Harder to judge wire speed.
Expensive wire
Needs flux cleaned off
More spatter.

Gas mig is cleaner, easy to see, easier to hear if wire speed it right. More expensive initial cost, but cheaper consumables.

Real cheap MIGs are not really worth it IMO.

Really depends on what you need it for. For bodywork, gas MIG is the only real option. For heavier stuff, and arc welder is much more cost effective.

 

[Dan The Welder Man]

ah thanks

can you pick one up for £160 or under and if so what do u recoment

i need the smallest welder possible for some thin metal art work and i wont use much wire at all.

low power i assume will be great for what i need one for but after that comment, i would like it to use gas. it doesnt have to hold strong as its just wall art work for the moment, so cheap and cheerful i say, but not useless.

 

[fingers99]

For MIG, you might look at the smaller Clarke jobbies -- PM Weldequip for prices, suggestions.

For small art work, though, I'd be inclined to go for TIG (you might find one of the baby Rehman's for sale s/h on fleabay) or oxy/acetylene.

 

[Rusty]

I don't think weldequip sells the small Clarke MIGs but the Pro 90 should do the job - http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/pro-90-mig-welder/path/diy-mig-welders

 

[GeorgeB]

I don't think weldequip sells the small Clarke MIGs but the Pro 90 should do the job - http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/pro-90-mig-welder/path/diy-mig-welders

I'm sure the Clarke pro 90 would do the job but it's almost £200 and Dan said his budget was under £160.

A couple of months ago, Aldi were selling a MIG welder which was provided with everything needed for both gas and gasless welding. It was £139 (badged Powercraft) and didn't look half-bad for an entry level unit. OK, so it might not be as good as a machine costing £600+ but it did come with a 3 year guarantee.

Wolf supplied Aldi with their stock and Wolf are now selling the same item directly, but for £199 at present, I believe. Their prices go up and down like a yo-yo. It could be £140 next week, for all I know, if you have the time to wait.

Be sure to get a machine which goes down to 25 or 30 amps minimum. For bodywork (thin steel), minimum power is more important than maximum power. B&Q sell moderately priced MIG welders but some/most of them go down only as far as 60 amps, which would be worse than useless.

 

[Dan The Welder Man]

Ah thanks, but dam. It's £199 but a will keep an eye on it and that brand. It's hard finding a cheap MIG welder that uses gas, but if you have any more suggestions, please let me know.

Thanks alot guys for all the help.

 

[BillJ]

A couple of months ago, Aldi were selling a MIG welder which was provided with everything needed for both gas and gasless welding. It was £139 (badged Powercraft) and didn't look half-bad for an entry level unit.

As you say, it includes a gas bottle and regulator. If Dan is interested, some stores might still have some. My local Aldi branch (Biggleswade) has one left now reduced to £99.

However, a 3-year guarantee only covers bits that fail, not bits that don't perform well by design...

Having been ripped off to the tune of £180 for a SIP 130T, I would be very wary of buying any MIG welder without recommendation (or indeed solely on the recommendation of a magazine test that only lasts half an hour from opening the box)

Given the choice again, given my application and budget, I would buy a Clarke.