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Getting a MIG for christmas - any ideas?
jamesalx - 7/11/07 at 02:48 PM

Hi there,

The wife has said she will get me a MIG for christmas, any ideas were the best place to get one is?

Max price is about £100, but might have to add a biot myself.

Wanted something like this:
http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro.jsp?id=30030&ts=46798

bit over the budget any ideas?


UncleFista - 7/11/07 at 02:52 PM

That Screwfix one has a minimum setting of 60A, far too much if you ever decide to do anything as thin as car bodywork.

For hobby type use, the universal recommendation seems to be the Clarke brand. Even the larger ones go as low as 30A.

Available from Machine Mart, look out for VAT free days



[Edited on 7/11/07 by UncleFista]


dave-69isit - 7/11/07 at 05:02 PM

got my invite for vat free tomorrow in perry barr machine mart


Echidna - 7/11/07 at 05:43 PM

1) It is a Chinese product (although i always believed that this "chinese rubbish" stuff was a USual propaganda),

2) As UF told, the minimum ampere setting is very high! Prepare to have problems with thin sheetmetal.

3) It is a NO GAS machine. The flux cored wire is very expensive and the weld quality is not going to be as good as you imagine.

4) Expensive machine for what it offers.

I have bought a Telwin Telmig 150/1
http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=77000
I paid 530 Euros, i.e. 370 british pounds for both the machine and the bottle!
Top quality machine, low-cost wire, low cost refills, warranty.


richard thomas - 7/11/07 at 06:23 PM

Whatever you do, DO NOT buy a no gas welder!!


Alex B - 7/11/07 at 06:34 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Echidna
1) It is a Chinese product (although i always believed that this "chinese rubbish" stuff was a USual propaganda),

2) As UF told, the minimum ampere setting is very high! Prepare to have problems with thin sheetmetal.

3) It is a NO GAS machine. The flux cored wire is very expensive and the weld quality is not going to be as good as you imagine.

4) Expensive machine for what it offers.

I have bought a Telwin Telmig 150/1
http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=77000
I paid 530 Euros, i.e. 370 british pounds for both the machine and the bottle!
Top quality machine, low-cost wire, low cost refills, warranty.


Good machine that Telwin but a lot more expensive in Greece than they are here.

Alex


Dangle_kt - 7/11/07 at 06:57 PM

I just bought a Clarke 160te 2nd hand for less than £30.

Heard good stuff about them, so pretty pleased

Even if I need to buy a few replacement bits on it, its still cheap.

Are 2nd hand xmas pressies ok??? If so, I'd get her to buy you a decent 2nd hand one.

There is one on there at the mo:

LINKY

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Clarke-MIG-160TE-Turbo-Welder_W0QQitemZ110187850954QQihZ001QQcategoryZ113743QQtcZphotoQQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem


Echidna - 7/11/07 at 07:48 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Alex B
quote:
Originally posted by Echidna
1) It is a Chinese product (although i always believed that this "chinese rubbish" stuff was a USual propaganda),

2) As UF told, the minimum ampere setting is very high! Prepare to have problems with thin sheetmetal.

3) It is a NO GAS machine. The flux cored wire is very expensive and the weld quality is not going to be as good as you imagine.

4) Expensive machine for what it offers.

I have bought a Telwin Telmig 150/1
http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=77000
I paid 530 Euros, i.e. 370 british pounds for both the machine and the bottle!
Top quality machine, low-cost wire, low cost refills, warranty.


Good machine that Telwin but a lot more expensive in Greece than they are here.

Alex


How much in the UK?


Peteff - 7/11/07 at 08:01 PM

The welder in the link says it uses fluxed wire or gas. I would get in touch with them as 60 amps sounds high for a minimum setting.


[Edited on 7/11/07 by Peteff]


Echidna - 7/11/07 at 08:19 PM

Oh, yes, you are right!