thinking of getting a mig sooner or later

[teldoyle]

hi guys,
im thinking of getting a mig welder and im currently looking at an auction website, what im findin is high ampage migs go for a lot of money whilst say a 150 amp fetches very little.

if i was to get a 150 amp mig what would i be able to do: ie what metals could be fabricated or not what thickness of metals would a 150 be able to do.

not welded in 29 years and then that was just a few weeks training on gas mig and arc so sorry for the novice questions

type of use being considered: welding cars, projects like making metal workshop bench and towing dolly etc

cheers

 

[shenion]

150A will do just about 3/16" or 4.5mm. A bit more with prep.

MIG will do steels, mild steel easily, stainless really requires a different gas. You can do aluminum, but it is not easily done on a small MIG.

A 150A MIG will do most car bodywork and frames.

Be careful, there are many 150A and less MIGs that are made only to a price; some are not very useful.

 

[cumbriasteve]

^^ as above... but also be careful you don't buy a MIG that will probably do what you think you require it for, then find out you enjoy the hobby and are limited because you are a few amps short of power.

I would have suggested a 150 initially, however the mention of a towing dolly makes me lean towards 180 or 200 amp.

 

[shenion]

I would have suggested a 150 initially, however the mention of a towing dolly makes me lean towards 180 or 200 amp.

Yes, same reaction here. 180A+ MIG or an arc welder (at least 140A.)

Personally, I have a big MIG (300A+) but only use it on thin stuff. I use my arc welder for most stuff as it is fast to set up and I won't run out of gas I have come to prefer it over MIG.

 

[teldoyle]

thanks guys,

i did by a battered up arc some years ago got it for a tenner at a repo auction, got it just for playing with but it was a load of rubbish, all it would do was splutter ever now and again, checked earth clamp and lead to check it was earthed but nothing wrong with the earth so disposed of it as faulty,

ive read what been said and think maybe buy a mig 200 and later upgrade to arc as i get back into it think of more things to do with a welder.
cheers guys

terry

 

[Wedg1e]

Bear in mind that once you get past about 150A you will struggle to run a transformer -type MIG set from a domestic mains outlet. Then you're into heavy-duty cabling and industrial-type connectors...