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Please recommend me a decent secondhand MIG
marmot0 - 7/1/11 at 01:17 PM

Hi, i'm after a decent secondhand MIG welder, going to be used for general automotive use and spaceframe chassis fabrication.
Many thanks

speedyxjs - 7/1/11 at 01:22 PM

I have a Clarke 151te which i have had no problems with. Tend to go for good prices on ebay

jossey - 7/1/11 at 01:23 PM

Clarke 151 te +1

loggyboy - 7/1/11 at 01:51 PM

I have a Clarke 90E gas/gasless picked it up on ebay a few years ago for under £50 has been pretty much fautless.

marmot0 - 7/1/11 at 01:56 PM

Thanks for the suggestions, really after one which takes full size gas bottles and euro torch. Cheers

speedyxjs - 7/1/11 at 02:36 PM

quote:
Originally posted by marmot0
Thanks for the suggestions, really after one which takes full size gas bottles and euro torch. Cheers


Not sure what you mean by eurotorch but i think most migs can be converted to full gas bottles. I have with mine anyway

dhutch - 7/1/11 at 02:44 PM

quote:
Originally posted by speedyxjsNot sure what you mean by eurotorch but i think most migs can be converted to full gas bottles. I have with mine anyway

Eurotorch is a standard plug/socket arrangment for attaching/detaching torchs from a MIG, as per the mig in the below photo. A lot have converted the clarkes to run full sized bottles and some are sold this way from new (basicaly the same machine, but typicaly with wheels and a bottle carrier)

http://www.ricola.co.uk/images/cabrio/portamig.jpg

Have a look on the migwelding forum prehaps? Stuff does come up on there from time to time although it can hold value well.

In the end i bought new and got myself a little ESAB Caddy inveter mig which im using with a small z-sized bottle. Impressed sofar although it wasnt cheap and does still have a captive torch due to the size of it.



Daniel

MikeCapon - 7/1/11 at 02:54 PM

The Clarke 160 is essentially the 151 but ready to run on a big bottle.

I'm another 151te user and well happy. Good on price, performane and quality of build.

Cheers,

Mike

ashg - 7/1/11 at 03:00 PM

quote:
Originally posted by dhutch
quote:
Originally posted by speedyxjsNot sure what you mean by eurotorch but i think most migs can be converted to full gas bottles. I have with mine anyway

Eurotorch is a standard plug/socket arrangment for attaching/detaching torchs from a MIG, as per the mig in the below photo. A lot have converted the clarkes to run full sized bottles and some are sold this way from new (basicaly the same machine, but typicaly with wheels and a bottle carrier)

http://www.ricola.co.uk/images/cabrio/portamig.jpg

Have a look on the migwelding forum prehaps? Stuff does come up on there from time to time although it can hold value well.

In the end i bought new and got myself a little ESAB Caddy inveter mig which im using with a small z-sized bottle. Impressed sofar although it wasnt cheap and does still have a captive torch due to the size of it.



Daniel




the esab caddy is one of the best portable inverter migs on the market they make the clarke 151 feel like a piece of junk

i would be looking for

Esab
Miller
Migtronic
Cebora
Murex

if i was in the market for a new mig.

T66 - 7/1/11 at 04:23 PM

I got a used Clarke 195Te on eclart for £270 - was 18 months old

It replaced my horrible SIP 160 (debated here lots as they are pap) , my old Clarke 120 and my current 195Te do exactly what they were built for.

No feed issues, and reliable.


The 195Te is a pleasure to use, and are good on price.

Phil.J - 7/1/11 at 06:03 PM

Most migs can be converted to use a 'Eurotorch'. You can buy a kit from the bay of e.

907 - 7/1/11 at 07:16 PM

quote:


Originally posted by ashg


i would be looking for

Esab
Miller
Migtronic
Cebora
Murex

if i was in the market for a new mig.



Oi, You've missed out the best one Ash!

Paul G

Peteff - 8/1/11 at 05:07 PM

Yes, my Kemppi makes them all look like toys No euro fitting on that either but it nearly fits in my pocket and runs 180 amps from a 13 amp socket. Euro fittings are not a guarantee of good quality, they just enable shift welders to take their torch off so it doesn't get mangled by the next man on.


[Edited on 8/1/11 by Peteff]

cliftyhanger - 8/1/11 at 05:26 PM

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/index.php

thats the place to try.......

marmot0 - 10/1/11 at 12:31 PM

Thanks for all the helpfull comments, going to have a look at the kemppi' welders, cheers