ironside
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| posted on 10/7/06 at 10:21 AM |
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MIG welder recommendation
Hello,
Looking for a budget MIG welder recommendation. I can count on one hand the number of times I have welded prior to this project. So I don't want
something that will be difficult to learn on.
I've had a look through previous posts and see NS Dev recommended these two:
150T ERP Mig welder
Sealey Supermig 150
Any others? What's opinion on using a Dual Purpose or Gasless MIG?
Thanks,
Simon
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ned
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| posted on 10/7/06 at 10:25 AM |
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no first hand experience but everywhere i've heard stay away from gasless as they're rubbish.
I've got a clarke 160t and would happily recommend it, has done all my chassis with ease and is quite easy to setup.
Ned.
http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/upload/IMG_0795.jpg
[Edited on 10/7/06 by ned]
beware, I've got yellow skin
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birdii
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| posted on 10/7/06 at 10:31 AM |
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I have got the 150 ERP from Weld UK, very happy with it so far and a good company to deal with. They sell and refill C02 bottles at quite a
competetive rate.
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quinnj3
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| posted on 10/7/06 at 12:32 PM |
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hi i'd recommend the sealey welder. I got one for this project a 195 sealey supermig in a half price sale. Excellent welder easy to use. If
you aren't in a hurry shop around and keep looking out for special offers there are massive savings to be had sealey reguarly put on special
offers on a variety of tools so keep an eye out.
my aim is to build my own locost wether it takes me a week or 10 years to get started, i'm sure i will sometime
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britishtrident
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| posted on 10/7/06 at 02:33 PM |
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Gasless has specific uses --- ie welding outside.
It can actually produce a decent weld but needs a clean with decent wire brush after every run.
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John Bonnett
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| posted on 13/7/06 at 12:57 PM |
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My advice would be not to buy a DIY welder. The main problem with MIG is its ability to feed the wire at a constant regulated speed. As with most
tools it is best to buy the best that you can afford and it will repay you with years of reliable service. I think all of the welders mentioned by
previous writers would fall into the professional category and probably a minimum of 160 Amps is what you should look for. Also go with a make that
has an established reputation in this country and one that has a network of sevice centres. I was lured into buying an entry level model and really
regretted it.
John
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Sabre
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| posted on 13/7/06 at 03:27 PM |
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migs
Hi imo go with a sealey have had the same one for ten years now and have welded car bodies and lorries too with no probs + most motor factors have
tips n shrouds in stock to fit these
Paul
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ironside
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| posted on 13/7/06 at 04:03 PM |
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Thanks a lot for you thoughts all,
The comments about not buying a DIY welder were exactly what I was worrying about. Buying something that costs £100 and paying for it in hassle
afterwards.
I'm going to pop by my local machine mart too, they have some Sealey ones in stock and will probably tolerate some more silly questions to get a
sale.
Simon
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ned
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| posted on 13/7/06 at 04:49 PM |
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Machine mart generally only stock clarke models (their own brand) but I'm happy to be wrong. As far as parts/spares go then clarke will be at
your local machine mart and from experience one of your local motor factors will probably have some sealey bits.
cheers,
Ned.
beware, I've got yellow skin
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Peteff
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| posted on 13/7/06 at 06:59 PM |
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A friend of mine has the ERP from Welduk, they are quite local to us and he has been pleased with his for over a year now.
yours, Pete
I went into the RSPCA office the other day. It was so small you could hardly swing a cat in there.
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NS Dev
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| posted on 14/7/06 at 02:36 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by ironside
Thanks a lot for you thoughts all,
The comments about not buying a DIY welder were exactly what I was worrying about. Buying something that costs £100 and paying for it in hassle
afterwards.
I'm going to pop by my local machine mart too, they have some Sealey ones in stock and will probably tolerate some more silly questions to get a
sale.
Simon
Hi,
just a quick note, the sealey and ERP machines are essentially just the same, ERP are cheaper as they are imported "nameless" from the
same factory in italy that does the sealey ones.
Both good machines, more robust than Clarke or SIP equivalents. (I have used both!)
Retro RWD is the way forward...........automotive fabrication, car restoration, sheetmetal work, engine conversion
retro car restoration and tuning
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lexi
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| posted on 14/7/06 at 06:14 PM |
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You can get the genuine Telwin item of which they are all badged copies of from Northern Tools. I think they were doing a non Euro torch version of
the 180 Amp last time I looked for £240.
Alex
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John Bonnett
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| posted on 18/7/06 at 06:42 PM |
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I have a Telwin TIG and when it went wrong, it had to be returned to Italy for repair with a £45 carriage charge and 6 week turn-round time. This was
bought from Wholesale Welding who are the main UK importers. Hence my advice in an earlier post to buy a make that is fully supported in the UK if
that is where you live.
John
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ironside
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| posted on 27/10/06 at 07:09 PM |
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I bought a Clarke 160EN MIG during my local Machine Mart's VAT free night. It's a dual purpose one which I thought was a good idea.
I think I've made a mistake though, I've just been unpacking it just now and discovered that the manual states it requires a 15amp plug,
not a standard domestic 13amp one.
I'll probably take it back - is this requirement the same for all the 150/160amp welders (Sealey/ERP etc?) MM have another VAT free day on
Sunday so I was going to return it and buy the 130EN dual purpose one which works on domestic juice.
The 130EN only has 4 power settings rather than the 6 on the 160EN and is obviously lower powered too - is this likely to cause me problems?
Cheers,
Simon.
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Peteff
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| posted on 27/10/06 at 07:22 PM |
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It will run on a standard 13amp plug, don't worry about it. You might blow a fuse when you run it on full power if your wire sticks otherwise
you should be fine.
yours, Pete
I went into the RSPCA office the other day. It was so small you could hardly swing a cat in there.
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lexi
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| posted on 27/10/06 at 09:38 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by John Bonnett
I have a Telwin TIG and when it went wrong, it had to be returned to Italy for repair with a £45 carriage charge and 6 week turn-round time. This was
bought from Wholesale Welding who are the main UK importers. Hence my advice in an earlier post to buy a make that is fully supported in the UK if
that is where you live.
John
Fair comment John. I can understand a Tig machine being so involved in sorting but would think most Migs can be fixed at Uk concessionaires. One
thing about Sip is you can get their service dept on the phone and I even ordered some little bits from them direct. You can keep those machines
going.
Alex
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