MIG Welder - I want one

[smiffy555]

In the market for a Mig welder. Is there a specific gassing category for this question?

[Caddyshack]

Make sure you get a gas one.

I would recommend something like a lincoln.

I used a gas sealey from machine mart to learn on and it served me well.

Trying to learn gasless or on the silly little hobby bottles can be very frustrating. Don’t waste your time.

[smiffy555]

Thank you for your reply. What sort of budget should I be looking at.

I want to weld up and fabricate some barn door frames etc. Also have some farm equipment that needs repairing. Have done quite a bit of welding in my farming days but have never purchased one with my own money. A pointer in the right direction would be appreciated.

[Landie90]

Depends what you want one for. Welding farm stuff and thick metal outside, or car body stuff inside?

I've got a Clark 135TE Mig from Machine Mart. It's a hobby machine, but it is fine for what I want it for. No point spending more than is needed for something that gets occasional use.

I use the Hobbyweld gas.

Edit, just seen your reply. You want an inverter stick welder for that job.

[smiffy555]

Landie90 said:

Depends what you want one for. Welding farm stuff and thick metal outside, or car body stuff inside?

I've got a Clark 135TE Mig from Machine Mart. It's a hobby machine, but it is fine for what I want it for. No point spending more than is needed for something that gets occasional use.

I use the Hobbyweld gas.

Edit, just seen your reply. You want an inverter stick welder for that job.

Inverter stick welder??? Is that ARC welding? Forgive my ignorance etc.

Just googled.....yep, ARC welder.

[Landie90]

Yes. They handle thicker material and adverse conditions (like being outside) better than a mig.

If you are in a nice draught free workshop, then a Mig will do it, but I suspect you will need a powerful one to do barn door frames which will require a 16A supply.

[smiffy555]

Landie90 said:

Yes. They handle thicker material and adverse conditions (like being outside) better than a mig.

If you are in a nice draught free workshop, then a Mig will do it, but I suspect you will need a powerful one to do barn door frames which will require a 16A supply.

All fabrication will be in a workshop. Will be using 40mm square box with 5mm wall section.

Will then be screwing on square section sheets on to the frame. Will need to weld the hinges on

Was thinking of a 100 to 150 amp welder running 0.8 to1mm wire

[Landie90]

My Mig is a 135 amp and 5mm is its absolute maximum. It runs off a standard 13A socket.

You probably want a 150 amp which will be more than up to the job. You could probably run it from a 13A socket as you aren't going full power all of the time. It may trip the breaker occasionally.

[smiffy555]

Landie90 said:

My Mig is a 135 amp and 5mm is its absolute maximum. It runs off a standard 13A socket.

You probably want a 150 amp which will be more than up to the job. You could probably run it from a 13A socket as you aren't going full power all of the time. It may trip the breaker occasionally.

Thanks for your help / advice.

Looking at his fella.....

https://www.weldequip.com/parweld-xte171c.htm

[Landie90]

A small amount more gets you a better machine - the duty cycle at high power is nearly double.

https://www.r-techwelding.co.uk/mig-welder-r-tech-...

Has the option for Arc which would give you more versatility.

[GreenV8S]

Watch out for the cheap ones which have a high nominal peak current but b*gger all cooling so they have a terrible duty cycle at the higher powers.

[Richard-D]

I still own my first welder which is a 150A fan cooled Clarke MIG purchased over 20 years ago. It still works fine and was an excellent choice. If you can stretch to it though, the one recommended above by Landie90 would be better and you won't regret spending the extra money.

Edited by Richard-D on Tuesday 10th November 15:41

[Jaz2000]

AS mentioned by others a decent set with a euro torch and rent a decent size gas bottle instead of the crappy little disposable bottles from hobbyweld or similar.

[frodo_monkey]

Jaz2000 said:

AS mentioned by others a decent set with a euro torch and rent a decent size gas bottle instead of the crappy little disposable bottles from hobbyweld or similar.

The teeny bottles come from Halfords or similar - Hobbyweld do proper sized bottles.

[finishing touch]

Don't want to get involved in any arguments so I will comment on things that haven't been covered on the thread so far.

I have a Migatronic 180 (180 amps) running 0.6 wire and 5% argon/ CO2 plugged into a 13amp socket, connected to a MCB B32 breaker in my consumer unit.
I make a lot of thin ducting so its handy to leave this set for thin stuff.


I also have a Lincoln 210 (180 amps) running 0.8 wire and 15% argon/CO2 which copes with the 3 to 8mm jobs. This also will go down to car bodywork.

This also runs from the same sockets in the workshop. It's a pain to keep swopping 15kg reels of wire so both welders get used as welding is my living.

Both have a good range of settings (10) and this is important. Welders with H/L-1/2 are just toys.

Gas is also adds to the equation as for example by using neat CO2 (pub gas) the heat is increased for thick plate. I have welded teeth to digger buckets by depositing 3 run fillets using CO2.


Hope this helps.

Paul G

[Lotobear]

The Uptime, though Chinese, has received very good reviews and is only £165.

I'm about to order one to replace my old Sealey Supermig.

[Baldchap]

I've got a cheap Machine Mart Clarke 151TE with a big gas bottle conversion (£10) so I can use big bottles (cheap and last forever in domestic/hobby use). It's happy on fairly thick metal but has its limits (higher than mine). I have had to put a 16A plug on it (fortunately got 16A sockets in my workshop) as beyond the very small ones you tend to find they trip out the electrics, so it's worth factoring this in.

[S6PNJ]

Baldchap said:

I've got a cheap Machine Mart Clarke 151TE with a big gas bottle conversion (£10) so I can use big bottles (cheap and last forever in domestic/hobby use).

I bought one similar to this - https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/pro-90-mig-welder/ - albeit about 30 years ago! Bought a big gas bottle (2.5-3' tal - Weldpool I thinkl) and the adaptor / regulator to go with it. The reg has since given up the ghost and leaks/doesn't work so I need to replace it but can't find similar or something suitable. What £10 adaptor did you buy as I'm hoping it will meet my needs.

[Baldchap]

S6PNJ said:

Baldchap said:

I've got a cheap Machine Mart Clarke 151TE with a big gas bottle conversion (£10) so I can use big bottles (cheap and last forever in domestic/hobby use).

I bought one similar to this - https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/pro-90-mig-welder/ - albeit about 30 years ago! Bought a big gas bottle (2.5-3' tal - Weldpool I thinkl) and the adaptor / regulator to go with it. The reg has since given up the ghost and leaks/doesn't work so I need to replace it but can't find similar or something suitable. What £10 adaptor did you buy as I'm hoping it will meet my needs.

Just had a look through my emails and I'm afraid I've told porkies! It was £37!

https://www.weldequip.com/argonmix-conversion-kit....

[S6PNJ]

Baldchap said:

Just had a look through my emails and I'm afraid I've told porkies! It was £37!

https://www.weldequip.com/argonmix-conversion-kit....

Cheers - I think mine might have been simply the 'small' bottle adaptor that came with the kit with a suitable brass adaptor to the big bottle as it looks more like this one - https://www.weldequip.com/disposable-regulator.htm I shall have to investigate further!