Want to buy a MIG.

[9fingers]

I’m just poking my toe into the water to buy a mig welder for semi serious but non professional jobs. I don’t expect to be doing much car work at this stage but more fabrication of jigs, frames brackets etc with 3-5mm steel. I would not want to rule out aluminium or stainless in the future though.

Looking around at this forum and elsewhere I think a 150 amp unit should suit and provided it can be backed off to 25-30 amps I should be able to do the odd car job if it comes up.

I have some spare cash having just retired so budget is not tight but I don’t want to waste money.

My target spec so far is

30-150 amps
Gas/no-gas (?)
Switched torch
Switched gas
Fan cooled.

Clarke seem to be well thought of and seem to have switched torch but I can’t see a reference to switched gas?

SIP offer the 25033 Migmate 150T which is specified for switched gas in the spec but the circuit diagram does not show a gas valve but the 25037 T170 does show the valve.

Can anyone clarify if the SIP 25033 really does have a gas valve please

And any suggestions for a suitable machine for m needs gratefully received.

Thanks

Bob

 

[Wozzaaah]

Hi Bob, welcome to the forum
The 150 (25033) will have a mechanical valve inside the torch which is operated by the trigger which is why it won't show on a circuit diagram.
The 170 (25037) will have an electro-mechanical valve (gas solenoid) inside the machine. It also has a euro torch as opposed to the 150's hardwired one.
The smaller Clarkes also have hardwired torches and a gas valves built into them, not solenoids.
My suggestion, if you want to be able to weld 5mm often is to go bigger again, go for something semi-pro around the 180 amp region, that way you'll have a bit in reserve rather than find you're running it on full power all the time.
There's a chap on here called Weldequip, send him a private message and see what sort of package he can put together for you.

 

[9fingers]

Thanks for the welcome and the info Woz,

I had not considered mechanical gas valves.
If I go up to the 180 amp region can I still get a low welding current for thin sheet.
I would expect to only do 5mm on odd occasions and being a metal machinist I could easily machine V's and bevels on the piece parts.

Any preferences on brands?

Cheers

Bob

 

[Wozzaaah]

You can get 180A machines that go a lot lower than that!
Weldequip sells one that I believe goes as low as 20A, they're made in Britain too.
Have a look in this section for more details including reviews.
PM him for specs and prices, he's sold many machines to us members (including myself).