Mig welders???

[RASCAL NI]

Guys what do you recommend regards cheapish yet decent performance mig welders for a first timer??? Looking for something that will be easy to get to grips with yet still do a great job welding on my van.

been looking at Draper, Clarke, SIP etc etc but to be honest there are so many Im getting confused!!!

Cheers

[derrickd]

I have owned a clarke mig for about ten years now  but have used newer models and they run great, mine dosnt run smooth as it should, The machine I was impressed with was red bodied and black plastic trim but dont ask me its name, im thinking of swapping machines soon so what you find here I would be interested to know of

[Dell Boy]

The most important feature you need is that it is variable down to very low ampages for welding thin sheet metal without blowing it away. Ignore the max power go for controllable low power because you need very fine adjustment when welding thin metal.
I have an inverter machine that cost around a £1,000 & has given sterling service for the past 10 years & has welded countless Rascarrys in that time plus my Cresta quite frequently.
Derek.

[beefy]

any of the drapers, clarke etc are pretty good for auto welding, id agreed with dell but would add
DO NOT get a welder that is gas-less! they are no good at all and the wire will last about 2 days befor becoming useless
due to being damp sat under your workbench for the 364 days a year that your not using it..
go with a gas mig all day long, mini mig's with the 1.5ltr bottle is ok for rare use but gas is expensive compared to buying a larger bottle. but i suppose you have to balance it up between cost and how much use it will get..

i got my first mig (red and black, clarke minimig 30 turbo ) at the age of 13, and shes only just given up..
feed rolllers worn out....
 

[Pirate]

I have both a clarke gasless mig & a sip gas mig, both are over 10 years old & have been reliable.
Both have a low power setting for thin metal that does the job.
As for the gasless mig, they work fine, but are fussy about which brand of wire used, the sip branded stuff is fine, i got some wire from halfords & it was worse than useless, when you find a brand of wire that works well, stick with it!

[spacehopper]

I'd go for a Seally (red and black - probably the one derrik is on about). I have had a Seally 130 for about 10 years - always worked spot on and spares are easily available. My old SIP never lasted that long. When I needed a new torch Seally provided one within 24 hours.
Avoid Clarke and definitely anything gasless! Although gasless work fine the wire is far more expensive.
And find a friendly pub landlord who can sell you a CO2 cylinder (some drinks wholesalers can supply them) - its far far cheaper than using the 'proper' little MIG gas cylinders, although you'll need to buy a regulater for it.

[derrickd]

Yep  I think the discription of red and black was a seally now its pointed out to me, might even invest next month, if anyone finds a good price on one can they let me know.

[jimbo723mpu]

hey dd
cebora is also a cracking welder which are often branded under the snap on badge as well
 Dregards
jimbo

 

[RASCAL NI]

Ok cheers for the thoughts!

tell me, would a Telwin Telmig 100 be any good??? Is it gas or gasless? Cant find much info on these but there is a fairly fresh one for sale locally, although Id probably have to pay about 160 for it?

[RASCAL NI]

What can I get for 130 - 150 ish that would do to start without being difficult to use?

I dont have the funds for a top notch welder just yet so thinking of getting one to do this for now & if need be, sell it on later in the year & buy a better one when funds are healthier.

I undertand that better welders are easier to get to grips with but surely there must be one cheapy on the market that does a decent job?

[beefy]

if it did a proper decent job it wouldnt stay cheap for long.
might as well pay someone to do the welding for you and save for a welder now

[RASCAL NI]

I know what you mean & it makes sense but...

Local welders are wanting 30 - 40 per hour + material costs & nobody will price for doing a job...just hourly rate.

No way I can pay out that sort of money.

[J J 007]

go on youtube will give you an idea of welding with a mig

[RASCAL NI]

cheers for all the advice guys!!!

[Dell Boy]

Dont forget to disconnect the two wires to the alternator or you will blow it when you start welding.
Also disconnect the negative earth strap from the battery to avoid that blowing up as well.

Derek.