What welder to buy?

[pierce cook]

Hello I have recently bought a Mazda Mx5 that has it's fare share or rust that needs repairing and having always wanted a welder I have decided now is the time to buy one. I would like to go for a gas setup and a good size ampage, for future use, but it needs to be suitable to weld the bodywork on the mazda. I've been looking at the SIP weld mate t166 the sealey mighty mig 150 along with some of the clark ones. Which would be the best welder to buy for this type of use or are there better ones on the market to buy instead. Thanks

 

[Bill Edwards]

SIP welders... well, have a read through on this forum and you won't find many recommendations for them!

Gas is pretty much a must, particularly for thin metal such as bodywork. Check out the 'Volkzone' offer from BOC, it's a good deal for renting gas, do a search on here for prices. Or, if you think you won't be going through enough to rent a cylinder, there are rent free options.

Clark welders are considered OK on here, though I would say it all depends a bit on exactly what you plan to do in the future and how much you want to spend.
For instance, http://www.weldequip.com/gys-smartmig-162.htm this looks to be a good machine and from those who have tried it it sounds good, but might be more than you want or need.

What's the thickest metal you can see yourself welding in the future? This governs how many amps you need, but when buying a welder you also need to pay attention to the lowest amps it will go down to for thin bodywork, most will go down to 30 but not all.

Also factor into your budget gloves, a welding helmet (most will recommend auto darkening, they aren't much money and are easier to use) and very importantly, an angle grinder.

 

[pierce cook]

The thickest metal I think I would be welding in the future probably wouldn't be any more than 3 or 4 mm my budget would probably be about £350-£400 max for the welder excluding the gas and other bits

 

[Richard.]

Gys162.

 

[pierce cook]

I have just been reading through the website for it and it seems to be easy to setup and use and would it be best to spend a bit extra money on a better welder like the GYs 162.

 

[Bill Edwards]

Well in that case i'd be looking at something around 150a and it should be fine.

I think the answer is probably yes, if you can spend the extra then it's probably worth it. But I've not used one myself, nor have I used the clarke's, so sadly can't speak from personal experience.
I'm very tempted to get the gys160 myself, but when I already have a MIG that just about works and I don't really need i'm trying to hold back, but I think it looks to be a good unit to my eyes.

 

[Richard.]

It's about as good as £350 will buy for a brand new machine. I had a go with one last month and for anything up to 4mm it's a pleasure.

 

[norlander]

I bought the 162. Its been excellent. The only niggle is the earth( or return if you prefer) is fixed and rather short. Its easy to fix that, I just made up an extension. Blowing your budget ceiling I know, but there is a gent on here selling a nearly new Gys pearl 3in 1-its a hell of a machine for the money he is asking.Sadly, I could not buy it as I needed to replace my laptop computer.
I am not sure if I am allowed to link you to it, but look in the secondhand kit for sale section; and its about halfway down on first page now I think.
But if you cannot run to that, then I would go for the Gys and I would get it from weldequip as you will be able to get aftersales advice on welding and setup from a welder-not an all tools to everyman bloke.
In the main though, you just read the chart, click the switches, tweak the wire speed knob and away you go on the 162. It will do 4mm no probs, and I have done 0.8 sheet with it. I have run 1.2 mm fluxcore on it too.
Have fun whatever you buy.