I'm in the market for a cheap beginners mig welder.

I don't want anything fancy as I'm going to buy a chassis, but it must be pretty flexible and able to weld both steel and aluminium in both thin and thick gauges.

I want one that will enable me to modify my pinto's steel sump and aluminium intake plenum in addition to fabricating an exhaust, roll bar and possibly welding in some extra chassis strengthening bars.

I have my eye on a SIP Migmate Turbo 130. Practical Classic Magazine gave it a 5-star rating but I wouldn't mind hearing from anyone who has got/used one, or if anyone can recommend an alternative.

Ali is going to be the stumbling block...

things claim to do ali, but from what i've heard reality is you need AC TIG (or is it DC?) to weld ali.

for your purposes, a 130amp one is just fine. However, i dont think you'll be able to do the ali, normally its an AC tig thats needed. Thats at least 700 squids new, as opposed to 200 for a simple mig.

Personally id stay clear of the SIP as the feed mechanism is based on plastic of the rather soft varity, do a search in this forum as lots of sip owners have had to make repairs to them.
Personally i had mine albielt a cosmos which is actually a SIP replaced by B&Q 3 times, after which i got a clarke 160TE which is a lot better in build and weld quality.

The problem with migging aluminium is usually feeding it. A gun with the feed mounted on it to pull the wire through is the real solution but not for diy as it costs more than a cheap mig. You also need pure argon, no CO2.

Need a proper pro "Euro torch" mig with a triple roller feed to weld a plenum -- no hope with a hobby SIP.

For welding brackets on buy anything other than a Sip/Cosmo --- Clarke is a nice safe choice although not the absolute best/best value in class.

Look at these
http://www.welduk.com/Results1.asp?Category=30

http://www.migtigarc.co.uk/MIG_Welder/mig_welder.html

I broke my big MIG and needed a replacement quick so I bought a cheapo Ferm one from Screwfix. It was just to finish the job I was doing but 2 years later and it is still working fine!
The feed mechanism is plastic but as long as you don't overtighten it and make sure the wire is clean (I never leave wire in the machine if I'm not using it for a couple of days). I replaced the wire feed tube with teflon stuff and it has manage to weld ali with good results.
You do get what you pay for but I have suprised by the Ferm (200 Turbo IIRC)

EDIT!
This seems to replace the Ferm one I bought. Looks the same!

[Edited on 14/3/06 by owelly]

I purchased a Sealey Mighty Mig 100 in 1984, apart from replacing a couple of liners, for wire feed and gas feed, I have done nothing else to it. I have welded alloy with it, using pure Argon gas, and while possably not as good as TIG, it will do it to a fair standard. I found, pretty much like welding any material, that practise makes perfect. ATB Ray.

An old cheap MIG I used to have (can't remember the make) was ok for welding aluminium - did quite a neat job. I know a TIG would have been about 10 times better, but quite often you just need to get two bits of metal stuck together

No, forget my last post. This is the one like mine and it's even cheaper now!!http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro.jsp?id=13189&ts=93660

quote:

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Originally posted by owelly
No, forget my last post. This is the one like mine and it's even cheaper now!!http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro.jsp?id=13189&ts=93660

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I've had a Clareke 100e with a computer fan coupled to the back of it for about 15 years and it has worked for at least 3 or 4000 hrs doing bodywork.
Spares are easy to get from Machine mart and its light enogh to carry around.
Having said that I own an ERFI 180 amp east german mig which is pro quality and these are now £600 and about as powerful as you can get on a 13 amp plug.(dont mention the cheap 230amp crap from budget shops they just dont come close).
This is the type of money a good welder starts at to weld alloy as well as steel.
If I were you I would buy a good turbo Clarke and pay someone to do your alloy welding.
All the best, Dean........

[Edited on 19/3/06 by DEAN C.]

[Edited on 19/3/06 by DEAN C.]

I bought the 130 5 yrs ago and it is ok for the money. Never tried anything but mild steel with it. Better with a 150 or 160 as they offer good value before the price takes a hike to the 180 types. Or if you can afford it just get a Cebora 180!
Alex