looking for a cheep good mig welder to practice with, gas/no gas,any recomendation

 

Somthing Clarke is a good base.

 

been looking at them in machine mart they not really cheap tho

 

Clark or sealy are good. Don't bother with gasless migs, they are shite. Expect to pay around Ł500 for something half desent that can be set up nicely and won't over heat. Use argosheild light/medium gas instead of co2.

 

I've got a snapon 130. 2nd hand they're approx Ł100 and it's been perfect for me. They come with the tube for disposable bottle, but the little conversion kit is a few quid to run the bigger gas bottles.

It's the same machine as the cebora 130 so sometimes you can grab a bargain if it hasn't got snap on printed on it.

Matt.

 

Buy cheap, buy twice.

In my experience anyway.

 

don't get cheap and nasty..

Clarke welders are good, the other half's dad has had one for 18 years. he's used it every weekend since he got it..

 

i have just lent my sealey 150 to a work mate, i have had it 15 years and i got it 2nd hand.
what i will say is that after using a decent mig (cemont) in my last job, the sealey is shit in comparison, but perfectly good for starting out.
learn to weld to a decent std with a cheap mig, and then if you upgrade you will almost look like a pro.

 

Cheap welders are poop.

Get yourself on eGay, we picked up a little Migatronic for peanuts and is a cracking little plant, small enough to chuck in the van too and has no problem laying down 6mm fillets on 0.8 wire all day long.

 

Is there even such a thing?
Cheap - yes. Good - yes. but cheap and good?hmm...

This applies to nearly everything.not just MIG welders.

 

Id steer clear of gasless tbh.

It makes sense to go for an inverter MIG - there so much easyer on power supply and produce a smoother more constant weld. also lighter, more compact.

I must recommend the Esab CaddyMIG - a wee cracker.

A cheaper alternative - and a really good one is Phil Weeks Warrior170 MIG.
Phils service and back up is second to none.

Ive heard the Rtech are ok - but never used one so cant say for sure.
Equally of the GYS.

Hope this helps.

Just to add, the key part to look for is the duty cycle of the machine.

 

sealey welders are shit, ive just bought an oxford 470-3 phase monster and its awesome, oxford are great quality welders made in the uk, not cheap but no decent welder will be cheap.


website




http://www.oxfordwelders.co.uk/singlephasemig.html

 

Do yourself a favour and buy new. I bought a clarke 130en gas/gasless and its ideal for use at home as it runs off 240v

 

Don't bother with the little gas bottles, get a decent bottle and regulator. The gas makes a big difference. I bought a 150 mig from machine mart Clarke and then got Adams gas, no contract,. I know a supplier if you need one. DO NOT bother with gas less, it makes such a mess.

Once you have one you will use it all the time if you are like me so buy the best you can. I am always making stuff and my neighbours pop round all the time or little bits. Best was a side car on a bmx that we made for some young lads,...they love it!

 

I have a Clarke 130en and had it a few years now, most of my work is done outside so gasless is better for me and to be honest it makes a but more mess but that doesn't bother me as it easily comes off with a grinding stone/wire wheel.

Obviously welds with gas look better and is easier as don't blow holes as easy but with a bit of practice good results can also be had from gasless, just don't do it inside as a lot of fumes come from them.

 

You'll a always get a lot of fumes from welding. I use a cartridge respirator mask because metal fume fever is NOT nice! I've experienced it a couple of times and learnt my lesson. It's often overlooked protecting yourself from the fumes.

 

Migatronic or thermal arc, great little welders ideal for workshop use

 

murex or oxford end of

 

Got my gas from hobby weld, they have stockists across the country and only require a deposit for the bottle, no rent!

 

Grab a clarke 130-150
Forget no gas its shat
Coded welder with 28 years on the job

 

Also buy a scrap panel and practise
Dont be the guy with brand new kit on gumtree/Ebay next week
When you cant do it ,Buy good used kit ,Buy a good regulator off ebay
And get a co2 bottle from a wine stockist or a local gas supplier
Bin the white bottles off what a con lol

 

thermal arc fab 181i is invertor based you can mig , stick , and tig steels only off the one machine . mine has been super , very light , and mig welding is great , easy to set up etc and i think they are around Ł500 all in

cheers paul

 

R-TECH are good, I have and use their 200amp ac/dc tig and its great for the money.


Also if it suits you better they do 6 months free finance and also always have shop soiled/ex demo units going cheap.


I have not used there mig welders but if I had to buy a new mig id definitely buy 1


Marc

 

How do you go about learning to tig ?

There no where local that teaches welding at all

 

Loads of videos on YouTube

 

I've run a Siegen 150 mig on CO2 (Beer Gas bottle) for around 4 years now without an issue, it was around Ł450 at the time. I've welded tubular mild steel, stainless steel and even some hardened steel to bright mild (see my build thread)

My advise is to get one with a euro torch, it'll save a lot of hassle in the future.

 

As above, there's a lot of clued up guys on the tube!

Other than the basics, I'm pretty much self taught in MIG/TIG/MMA, no amount of youtube videos will help without practice though!

Don't think I've heard of using CO2 though, I've always used argon.