What Mig should i buy for my first car project

[groyston20092009]

Hi I am buying my first MIG. My first uses will be classic car restoration but i will want to be able to weld other things in the long run. I have read so many things it becomes confusing!! can someone just give me some sound advice. I can afford up to £250, but i would buy sencond hand for a bigger model if i had too. Kind regards Gary

 

[cumbriasteve]

Welcome to the forum, if £250 includes the mask and sorting some gas then I'm afraid you are going to struggle even with a 2nd hand unit.

A Clarke is always a good bet for a car restoration, gas is miles better than gasless but what model you require depends on the 'other things' you are planning to weld and the power you may need.

 

[eddie49]

I would recommend buying the biggest set that you can afford, and would always rate a secondhand professional machine over a new hobby one. Start to get an idea of what is available by searching for used pro machines on eBay - e.g. ESAB, Cebora, Kemppi, Murex Tradesmig, Eland.

 

[eddie49]

Talking of Clarke MIGs: eBay item 320714492798 would give you everything you need to get started in one easy step!

 

[Engineer]

I would recommend buying the biggest set that you can afford, and would always rate a secondhand professional machine over a new hobby one. Start to get an idea of what is available by searching for used pro machines on eBay - e.g. ESAB, Cebora, Kemppi, Murex Tradesmig, Eland.

Sensible advice...............it seems weird that shoddily made DIY type sets always seem to get recommended for beginners who ask on here. In some cases the used pro set may also cost less than the new DIY one, but the main advantage is the pro set will be far far easier to use for a beginner.

 

[keith19]

Although I would agree wholeheartedly that a decent used pro machine is much better than a new hobby machine, you have to look at other factors involved.

To start with, some people like shiny new anyway. 'Learning new skill so I'll get new kit' sort of attitude.
This does mean that there is a decent chance that if the new welder has been tested at the factory or in the shop it will be set up to give some sort of welding result right from switching on. This can be reassuring for a beginner, especially one who has little mechanical or engineering background.

The s/h pro m/c may be set up and ready to go, and that will be fine, too.
But some may have half-a-dozen small faults which, while only mildly vexing to some of us to sort out, would completely floor a beginner, who might think they'd bought a dud m/c. There is a certain fear factor in buying something you know nothing at all about. That's why it's always better, if buying s/h, to take someone who knows along if you can, and gen up well beforehand.

There is also a fear factor involved with the 'pro' appearance of some modern machines, with knobs and dials galore, a bewildering array for a newbie to face, especially if the instructions didn't come with the machine. We who may have worked in engineering know well that only a very few controls are used on any machine for any particular operation, no matter how many there are, but the beginner doesn't know this, and may crap himself just looking at the control panel.
Again, the manual in some form or other helps a new owner to gain understanding and confidence.

So although I would always advise someone to look for used pro kit rather than shiny new hobby kit, it is with the proviso that they should have an enquiring mind, and must be prepared to find out as much as possible about what they are buying, and be prepared to sort minor faults themselves.

 

[gavuk]

the main advantage is the pro set will be far far easier to use for a beginner.

If we are talking about sip and certain other diy welders,then i might agree but the clarke,sealey and snap-on 130amp -150amp I've used were all easy to weld with ,no feed issues,and indeed welded well...What diy welders have you used and what were your issues with them?Plastic feed parts and alluminium coils aside they worked well and second hand a clarke 151 can be had for £60-70,and is an ideal start up welder ,even if the user wants a higher amp machine later they will get their money back ?

 

[ozone]

big vs small

all good advise but for a first time car project on budget of £250,shurely low amps are whats needed,,25a and less, gased, and steel lined torch feed,,
so any leads to a welder that has all those features has got to be the best start, face it who wants to blow holes in everything at every attempt,,

just thought to try to get back on track with the original subject ,i know how easy it is to start going on about what ? and away, and end up knitting rabbits, with the hair pulled out in confusion,,,
see what i mean,,

 

[Shug]

I started out with a clarke 151en for my manta and it was a good wee welder that did the job. Didnt stop me buying a portamig later on though!