which mig welder ?

[robinsoncrusoe55]

Hi everybody......I'm after some advice, that will possibly help me choose the right mig welder for me.......
The choices are.....
A second hand sealey supermig 185,3 years old "excellent condition ", (not seen it yet), to include regulator, mask, argon gas bottle, with gas, for £400, not tried to haggle yet....

A new clarke mig welder, anyone in the range, except the 3 phase ones.

Or would I be better off, stretching for something like a portamig, Oxford, or something, of similar quality.

My needs are for a welder, to weld up to a max of 5/6 mm, mostly, to be used, to make a chassis, for a locost type car, I'm a beginner,(previously, had a clarke 100E mig welder, but never progressed, to a basic welding level), but want to have a quality welder, that will, help my learning curve, rather than just frustrate it !!!, if that makes any sense.
The welder that I purchase, will probably have to last me for the next 7/8 years, so I want to make the right decision.
Look forward to hearing all of your thoughts, and perhaps personal experiences, with the aforementioned machines.

Many thanks

 

[cumbriasteve]

If you are not wanting to move it around then at the moment my choice would be the Oxford, basically the same as the Portamig but with smoothing caps which I am led to believe do make a difference but have no 'hands on' proof of that.

You will get other suggestions from members of course, it's all about what the individual has and likes, I own a Clarke and would suggest that for a hobby welder also but I think you are leaning to something a bit more upmarket by the sounds of it.

 

[Appyasme]

You are dead right Steve,welding machines are a total night mare.How much do you want to spend and what do you want it to do.If you are just going to do the "now and again weld"what`s the point in shelling out on an all singing all dancing mig machine.All I will advise is that you give the gassless wire a wide berth.Sorry if I have trodden on somebodys toes with that comment but I have see so many people let down by what they think is the bees knees

 

[robinsoncrusoe55]

It's definitely, going to be a "static mig welder......the weight will not be a concern, was needing quality of weld, ease of use, reliability, and the ability to weld up to 5 mm, and possibly able to weld aluminium,sometime in the future, as the main buying factors.
Is buying second hand a risky business, or worth a go?

 

[AdrianH]

If you are considering£400 for a second hand machine could you stretch to a bit more for the likes of a GYS Smart MIg 162 http://www.weldequip.com/gys-smartmig-162.htm or an R-Tech IMIG 180 http://www.r-techwelding.co.uk/welding_equipment/Mig_Welder

I appreciate you will not get the consumables in your price and these can cost quite a bit extra

I use now the R-Tech and it is no frills but capable. I still have a 100E or 90E under the bench must sell on one day, but just there as back up.

Have a look through the welders and welding equipment section on the site for ideas and reviews from others, I think an hour or two will give you ideas on performance and after-care.

Welcome to the car building world as well.

Adrian

 

[robinsoncrusoe55]

Thanks to all four the replies......and I should be starting the car build, in November Adrian !..... thanks for the welcome.

Think that I'm definitely, going to buy "new" for, the sale of reliability.....keep telling myself, go cheaper etc, but every time I've gone down that route, I've always, either been let down, or been disappointed, so probably going mig range, and up.

I would think, that there's not many bad mig welders, in that sort of bracket, just different,I suppose! Quite like the idea, of the 3 in 1 types......mig,mma, tig, but don't want to compromise, the quality, of the mig part.....

Has any particular one got more warranty, etc, than the others, or better back up service ?

 

[God mode restorations]

Hi and welcome. ..with any machine the bigger the Bucks the better the bang...I have had this machine for about a month..oerlikon citomig 200 mp..awesome piece of kit..all three phases.200 amps on all three..takes a four mm rod on stick..lift tig..and a heap of features...set me back 1300 with a few extras I wanted...I have all ways used oerlikon and never had any problems. .got a 130 amp inverter stick and once again a great bit of kit.all run from 13 amp supply..

 

[Appyasme]

Sorry, have to disagree with your theory, the bigger the bucks the better the bang,I have one of the best AC/DC tig machines on the market.Kemppi AC/DC 2300.This machine has all you need to weld AC/DC plus mix.If your statement is correct why have I not sold my machine yet. By the way I am not sellig it too expensive. I look forward to your reply

 

[God mode restorations]

What I mean is.what ever machine one chooses to buy .miller.oxford.murex.ect the more money is spent the better the machine ...I am not saying oerlikon is best..it's just the brand I like...if I had more money I posibly would of gone for a miller machine..it's all down to budget. ..

 

[Appyasme]

Oerlikon is one of the best macines you can buy.If you need some help regarding your Oerlikon choice speak to a brilliant guy called Derek Ferguson.He is brilliant at helping people just like you,please call him 07708929390

 

[God mode restorations]

I am happy with my choice. .

 

[daleyd]

You mention a few welders but no real mention of actual budget? Without knowing this then it's hard to recommend anything, iF your budget is not going to stretch to an oerlikon then as good as the machine is it's not going to get a look in.

For the hobbyist the portamigs and suchlike come well recommended and should last a lifetime being transformer based. They might struggle on the thicker stuff perhaps, this may be where an inverter type machine can help as they can be used to stick weld as well.

 

[robinsoncrusoe55]

Budget for the welder, is going to be, up to a max, of £550/600......and doubt very much, if I'd ever need to weld anything more than 5mm

 

[cumbriasteve]

Budget for the welder, is going to be, up to a max, of £550/600......and doubt very much, if I'd ever need to weld anything more than 5mm

The GYS 160 may be ideal for you then, if you are sure about your future requirements, welding is habit forming and you can end up wanting to do things bigger and better.

Think my suggestion would still be the Oxford though....simply because I like heavy built machines.

 

[robinsoncrusoe55]

Many thanks for that Steve......I must admit, to drooling over it ! and there is a supplier quite close to me