Thread: Mig Welder help

An excellent resource for anyone new or just starting out in welding is the Mig Welder Uk site.

http://http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/

Heaps of info on buying a welder, welding types/procedures, welding equipment etc.

There is also a friendly forum if you need answers or advice.

Cheers

Hi Craig


I am a Boilermaker/coded welder, so heres my tuppence worth.

Spend a bit more on Named brands( they do have a reputation )probably around the 200 amp marker min...or go second hand .
, i have tried the cheap gasless welders and for a 1.5mm ok .....any thing thicker NO GRUNT>
Would not touch supacheap or the like........must go with a set that has its own gas supply line for Argoshield, if doing Ally you run Argon and replace the liner ask at BOC or reputable welding gear retailer....they will give you the good oil.......and the wheels the welding wire runs through near roll.

Now if you have 3 phase in your shed.....industrial 2nd hand sets are the go for sure (machinery autions are great for them).


Cheer Sam

The work you intend to do is not large scale work, quite small in fact. I'd look for a tidy looking low cost 2nd hand MIG capable of both gas less and gas no bigger than 150 to start off with. If you like to do more, then the spend bigger dollars.
Remember when welding .... Clean the parts back to bare metal, always. No paint no oil or grease no gal. etc.
Happy welding
S.C.

Thanks guys.. You have given me food for thought

I have a Lincoln 180c, nice quality american brand. Perfect for mild steel and will do thicker stuff no problem.

Got one for around $990. Not cheap but worth it IMO, should last a long time.

The problem with many of the cheaper ones available seem to be the wire-feeds which are a bit hit and miss.

I have a Transmig 195 bought about 1990 (maybe earlier) which has been totally trouble free. At the time it was the biggest available on 240 volt. It requires a 15 amp outlet. I normally use 0.9mm wire on steel and a 1.2 conduit and nozzle with 1.0mm wire on aluminium. It doesn't really like aluminium except in light gauge. I believe you can now get 250 amp unit in 240 volt. Get the biggest you can afford and get an true industrial unit not a hobby horse if you plan to run a few miles of wire.