Which MIG within £400 all incl budget?

[tiger]

Hi,
This is a very open question about which MIG to buy within a £400 budget, incl. gases. I have been astounded by the range of info available on this fantastic forum site and by the support given by the wider welding community, but it leaves me swamped with info that is difficult to sift.

As a sculptor I do occasional welding jobs with a range of metal thicknesses, up to 5-6mm. For some time I have been using a cheap gasless welder for the lighter jobs and paying someone else to do the thicker weightier materials. I would like to get a replacement inverter MIG (gas/gasless) welder to do these jobs myself. The limitations are that it has to run on a 13 amp socket. I don't think duty cycle is a serious concern as the work is very occasional. The choice should have a lower min amps (20-30) for light work and a variable wire feed aligned with power output. A eurotorch would be good and definitely nothing that has a permanently live torch - I've spent too much time grinding off stray hits.

I realise that this open question is difficult to answer as personal preferences play a big part in these decisions. I guess what I am hoping for is a a number of people who are able to recommend a particular manufacturer/model and some who can provide pointers as to which areas to avoid?

 

[WorkshopChris]

This would fit your budget and be OK for the thinner stuff:-
http://www.weldequip.com/gys-smartmig-162.htm

But i think you are going to struggle to fine a mig that will nicely weld 5-6mm, you would be looking at around 200amp but above 180amp on a 13a socket is pushing the limits.
For the thicker stuff of a 13amp socket you may be better of with maa.

You could look at used mig within your budget but the 13a socket is still going to the limiting factor.

 

[gaz_moose]

where I work has a GYS 162 and ive used it quite a few times, its a pretty good machine and lays down some decent welds when you set it up. the setting are quite basic in the fact you only have 2 switches and a dial on the front so you have to 'best guess' the setting you want and adjust yourself to suit.
If I was going to buy one I would factor in the cost of a longer torch lead and earth cable as they are only 1 meter long which is real annoying..

 

[Tom Orrow L]

I second the GYS SmartMIG 162, although it doesn't leave much of a budget left for gases.
Have a call around and see if anyone will do you a deal, tell them what you're doing and they might be willing to sorr you out in support of the arts

 

[WorkshopChris]

Perhaps that was my mistake thinking the op would probably be claiming the vat back, if not then a MIG plus gas is going to be a tough one.

 

[the snooper]

Perhaps that was my mistake thinking the op would probably be claiming the vat back, if not then a MIG plus gas is going to be a tough one.

non rental gas cylinder will be around £90 plus a regulator on top

 

[Chris Stevens]

Maybe the OP should consider a used machine, which means he may well be able to get something perfectly usable within his budget?

 

[WorkshopChris]

Maybe the OP should consider a used machine, which means he may well be able to get something perfectly usable within his budget?

If there is any way the OP could manage to get a 16A or 32A socket fitted then the options will undoubtedly open up, he also mentions inverter mig, that's going to push the budget for sure.
Personally I think looking at the requirements low amps plus up to 6mm you are probably looking at a new budget of around £800plus including the gas and an upgraded electric supply.
All depends on vat that 20% make a big difference these days and power available.

 

[Chris Stevens]

I have a 200A Kemppomat, which is officially meant to run on a 16A supply. Not got round to installing 16A socket, and as not using top end settings, its fine on 13A.

If OP needs 200A machine at higher settings, then he is likely to need a 16A supply, but not sure if 200A is going to be needed for 5-6mm?

A very good choice would be a used Murex 160A Tradesmig, a tatty example of which might come for £300 or less, which leaves some money for gas.

 

[ronan]

If you could stretch your budget a bit more to say £600, you could get something good that will last and be reasonably good to use, rather than a crock thats more difficult to use.