Mig Welders

[Minxy]

I recon it’s time to get a mig welder but before I commit a couple of questions.
First I’m no stranger to Mig welders (or any other welder come to that) but it has always been big workshop units 'that were there' so-to-speak and I just used them – I never purchased one though let alone a smaller version so I’m looking at advice on hobby size units.
At the moment I’m thinking that something like the 151TE turbo from machine mart might do the trick...

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/produ ... ig-welders

perhaps with a stand...

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/produ ... rc-welders

and a large gas bottle from the likes of Adams who advertise the rental free jobbies in the PC mag, or are the disposable bottles adequate as I won’t be using it frequently.
Any tips or advice for someone who can weld perfectly OK but who has never purchased hobby size stuff before gratefully received .

[tractorman]

I have one of these machines, though I found it much cheaper from an eBay shop. It's a reasonable beast for the money - PC had tested various MIGs not long before I bought mine but the recommended ones were far too expensive for me! This machine is an improved version of the one PC tested and some of the "faults" on the test model have been sorted on the new mnodel (eg the control of current settings is more sensible).

I don't use it much - and normally for 2mm or more stuff - so a disposable gas bottle lasts a long time - I usually buy a couple of argon-mix a year, though a friend was welding a Beetle and just about used all Machine Mart's stock in a month! I would suggest you run it on disposable bottles for a month or two to see how much you are using - the "rent free" ones cost a lot to start with (and a lot for refill) if you only use the welder for a day or two a year!

One of our neighbours is a sheet metal worker (and a pretty good one) and reckons he can't get away with the DIY welders, but I think it's more because he knows his own machines and hasn't had to use a DIY one, so hasn't worked round the limitations - eg stepped current settings that have no apparent meaning!

However, I am no MIG expert (I prefer gas) and tractors have little "thin" metal, so I don't know its suitability for car repairs. The time I used it on thin stuff, I blew holes - I need to check settings more carefully before welding!

[Willy Eckerslyke]

At the moment I’m thinking that something like the 151TE turbo from machine mart might do the trick...

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/produ ... ig-welders

Can't see you going wrong with that. Though the sticking out handle is in just the right position to catch you when you step back to admire your handywork.

perhaps with a stand...

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/produ ... rc-welders

Or build one as your first project?

[mr rusty]

I have a 135TE which is basically the same but with a lower maximum power- the first thing you will do is chuck the useless handle!The wirefeed is good on it, but the economies are made in the gas valve. My ancient 1986 vintage SIP which i had before this one had a solenoid operated gas valve inside the machine. The roller feed on the clarke is better than the one on the sip was but I've had to fix the gas valve, because it leaked. It's basically a block inside the torch, when you pull the trigger it pushes the valve open.....not terribly well engineered and I had to pack mine with shims made of offcuts to stop it moving around inside the handle and jamming open- i could have taken it back under warranty but I needed it. Mine might just have been a faulty one-off but it's something to look out for because it really is a cheap'n'nasty gas valve.

Other than that it's not bad, it has two power ranges with two settings each, and could really do with a third step between the low and high of the bottom range, but for the money you can't have everything.The earth clamp is a bit lame but hasn't failed, it just looks like it might one day!Said earth lead could do with being a couple of feet longer to.For a home machine you could do a lot worse, it's been reliable with the all important reliable wire feed, for the money it's been good and I've used it hard...there are some ghastly live-torch horrors on fleabay which might save you a few quid but won't be anywhere near as good- just don't expect it to be as good as a pro workshop tool.

[tractorman]

Willy Eckerslyke wrote:

Can't see you going wrong with that. Though the sticking out handle is in just the right position to catch you when you step back to admire your handywork.

I left the handle off for that very reason - the link has a pic of the back of our garage (near bottom of the page) and shows the welder. Just in front of it is the handle (covered by a plastic bag).

http://www.practicallyclassics.co.uk/vi ... ?f=4&t=689

I agree about the first project - a stand for the welder. If you make your own, you can make it to suit your needs (eg carry large gas bottle and tools). The same pic shows my purpose-built trolleys - one of four similar ones below the vice and a silver one behind the car. All designed for my needs - not someone else's idea of something useful!

Sorry about the back of the "modern" - the classic (tractor) lives on the other side of the (double) garage!

[SEE YA]

I have had my SIP 150 TOPMIG TURBO for over 20 years never let me down some are on Ebay for around £200 .

I cannot fault it on any level myself.

Also remember gas bottles have to be tested every ten years £90 pass or fail mine was done two years ago.

Mine is a pub size type last longer that is for sure.

Otherwise gas refil outlets will not refil them as I found out.

[SirTainleyBarking]

The Clarke MIGs are reasonably well made, The one I've got has lasted a good 20 years and still works a treat. The one you're looking at looks like a sensible modernisation

I use the disposible cylinders, but then again I'm not rebuilding the titanic on a weekly basis, just repairing holes when required. If I was stitching an escort bodyshell to the mortal remains of a BMW for instance I'd be using big cylinders

[m.thaddeus]

Hello there

The thing to watch out for with Mig welders is not so much big power as stable power. Look at the duty-cycle, which is often printed on the machine. You want to see 100% on the lower settings (25-50amp ish.)

If you want a really cracking small Mig, then check out the Cebora 130, -available from BOC ( and a few other places I am sure)
This little darling was unavailable for about a decade, but now it is back. This was the machine which both BOC and Snap-on sold with their names on, and you can be certain they sold it for a lot more than the original Cebora brand.

Sealy do a refillable gas cylinder for about £60 and about the same for each exchange, this may well work out cheaper than disposable ones. Or Gascylinder uk do good deal with nation delivery.

good luck Martin.

[Mattcortes]

I found the disposable gas cans gave a far lower quality of weld compared to the Co2 in the big refillable bottles. I'm luck that I have a welding shop nearby and they only charge £40 to refill the big bottles. True you have to buy the bottle, the regulator and the connector at the start but its so much easier to use than the little ones and tons cheaper.

[Diesel Fionn]

I have a gas less MIG I got in Aldi. It's very basic as all you can control is the wire feed speed. It's quite strong on thin stuff like citroen C15 back doors for instance . I'm going to be using it on my Rover P6 resto and I'm worried it may not be good enough. I'll have to do the inner sills but haven't gotten around to looking at them yet. are gas free MIG's a total waste of space or do they have their purpose?