Recommend me a MIG welder?
Discussion
xstian said:
I've got a new Oxford migmaker 240 on order. Its coming upto 9 week wait now, was quoted 3 weeks when I ordered it. Apparently its built, they are just waiting for the case to be made. Im sure its going to be a great welder when it arrives, but if you are in a hurry to get one, make sure you know the lead time on what you order.
Nice one! I found it took a little practice to get used to it compared to my old Sealey Mightmig 130 XT, but it is worth it.It's only a hobby for me - so I actually weld quite infrequently (hence I expect my oxford will probably last me 30 years).
The limit in the quality of my welding is now totally me, not the welder. But it's now became a good challenge to do a tidy weld, rather than just stick the bits together.
Anyway, notwithstanding those caveats, here's the last couple of things I welded on mine:
Those are 3mm. The main thing that surprised me is I am running the welder on a much higher power than I would have on the Sealey, but then also welding much much faster. (And FWIW, constructive criticisms always welcome)
Edited by Arnold Cunningham on Tuesday 29th June 10:32
Arnold Cunningham said:
Nice one! I found it took a little practice to get used to it compared to my old Sealey Mightmig 130 XT, but it is worth it.
It's only a hobby for me - so I actually weld quite infrequently (hence I expect my oxford will probably last me 30 years).
The limit in the quality of my welding is now totally me, not the welder. But it's now became a good challenge to do a tidy weld, rather than just stick the bits together.
I got taught to weld years ago at college a heck of a long time ago (MIG/TIG/ARC and Gas) - when I bought the first welder I thought how on earth can I completely forget a skill like that!!! It's only a hobby for me - so I actually weld quite infrequently (hence I expect my oxford will probably last me 30 years).
The limit in the quality of my welding is now totally me, not the welder. But it's now became a good challenge to do a tidy weld, rather than just stick the bits together.
Arnold Cunningham said:
Anyway, notwithstanding those caveats, here's the last couple of things I welded on mine:
Those are 3mm.
Is that in a Kit car of some description or a heart transplant on a cradle?Those are 3mm.
Arnold Cunningham said:
The main thing that surprised me is I am running the welder on a much higher power than I would have on the Sealey, but then also welding much much faster. (And FWIW, constructive criticisms always welcome)
There in a nutshell is the thing I love about the Portamig/Oxford machines - they have a really big working window - you can get bacon frying with a wide range of settings 
My first welder if you didn't get the settings absolutely spot on it was a frustrating task trying to keep a run going - the fact that the power and wire feed changed as the machine got hot made it even worse. None of those issues now. Very happy with my "lifetime purchase"
B'stard Child said:
My first welder if you didn't get the settings absolutely spot on it was a frustrating task trying to keep a run going - the fact that the power and wire feed changed as the machine got hot made it even worse.
Yeah - that is so true! Weld one bead - lovely. Next bead - WTF!!! Good riddance to those days.I'm re-engining the Ultima Spyder I built in 97-99.
Lots to do, but it's a low stress, fun project. Engine & Gearbox mounts done. Gear linkage next.
Engine will look like new once it's all done.
tapkaJohnD said:
KISS
Arnold Cunningham said:
Yeah - that is so true! Weld one bead - lovely. Next bead - WTF!!! Good riddance to those days.
Arnold Cunningham said:
I'm re-engining the Ultima Spyder I built in 97-99.
Lots to do, but it's a low stress, fun project. Engine & Gearbox mounts done. Gear linkage next.
Engine will look like new once it's all done.
Sounds like fun - Do you have a thread running on here?Lots to do, but it's a low stress, fun project. Engine & Gearbox mounts done. Gear linkage next.
Engine will look like new once it's all done.
Thanks for the replies - in typical PH-style I have in fact ignored all of your recommendations and ended up with a Rohr inverter welder which got some very good reviews and is quite small and compact and should be good for about 5 to 6mm metal, which I suspect is far more than I will need. It was also very sensibly priced (although no regulator / air hose) which is good as I won't be using it all that much.
Currently assembling the various pieces I need - air hose, regulator etc.. and a decent welding respirator and I will let you know how I get on with my first attempt at using the machine.
Currently assembling the various pieces I need - air hose, regulator etc.. and a decent welding respirator and I will let you know how I get on with my first attempt at using the machine.
In addition to youtube vids, I'm finding "Fabrication Life" on facebook to be quite an instructional group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/134779203860936
Lots of experts posting there - but also lots of people whose welds are not unlike mine also post and get good advice.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/134779203860936
Lots of experts posting there - but also lots of people whose welds are not unlike mine also post and get good advice.
Edited by Arnold Cunningham on Friday 16th July 14:58
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