Mig Welder help

[Themadmob]

Hi All

Instead of using a company, or third party, who I will have to pay anyway, I thought of purchasing a MIG welder and do the work myself.

I have ordered chassis parts that need replacing, rear cross member, outrigger and front chassis legs and some bulkhead work

My question is - what is the smallest MIG welder I can get away with that can do the job?

Thanks

Craig

[crash]

Buy the biggest one you can afford! I would say 150amp at min.
Alternatively is to by an solid state arc with TIG attachment. Arc for chassi work and TIG for bulkhead work.
Are you planning on welding any aluminium? You may have to look at something more expensive - not just any ordinary TIG/ MIG can do Ali work - and their is more to it than having a teflon liner.

[Shakey]

The cigweld 135A mig are on special at super cheap this week, says they will do up to 5mm (which should be plenty for a series chassis) what do people think of that size - as it's a well known brand?

[isuzurover]

Buy the biggest one you can afford! I would say 150amp at min.
...

What he said. There are plenty of good 2nd hand MIGs around.

I bought a 250A MIG that was as-new with regs and the full setup for both steel and Al for around $800.

[blue_mini]

135 is fine for me. Only time I hit duty cycle and had it stop was seam welding 5mm steel.

I would either spend 300 odd on an ozito from Bunnings or over 1000 for one with more amp settings from a trade store.
Tig would be nice but in reality it's far slower than mig, takes an extra gas bottle and needs a lot more practice and setting up than a mig.

[iPom]

I thought this Unimig was good value - 180 amp with a EURO torch

http://http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/19...84.m1438.l2649

IMHO I would only buy a reputable brand - Millar, Kempi, Unimig, BOC, Lincoln, etc

[debruiser]

Lincoln Electric

I have that one. It's a great little unit got it about 2 years ago with no issues to date (has 3yr warranty). I've never hit duty cycle, I've welded everything from tin you can cut with tinsnips right through to 8mm i think. I've really only used it gassless until the other day when i was trying to weld SS, going to get a gas bottle and go gas for a while and see what that's like. It has all the gear you need to get started, bar a helmet. I paid about $1000 for it.

It's 15A though, so that can be a pain if you take it round to the mates place.

[Aaron IIA]

IMHO I would only a reputable brand - Millar, Kempi, Unimig, BOC, Lincoln, etc

What about Thermadyne, who make Cigweld, and WIA?
Aaron

[debruiser]

What about Thermadyne, who make Cigweld, and WIA?
Aaron

Are they really considered reputable?

[iPom]

What about Thermadyne, who make Cigweld, and WIA?
Aaron

I was just using the brands as an example mate. That's why there is an 'etc' on the end of my sentence.

Regards