Basic welder?

[crofty1984]

Howdy y'all. I'm thinking of getting a welder. I quite like the idea of gasless MIG as I've done a MIG course and I like the fact it's not "live" until I pull the trigger. Though I don't know if stick welder might be better?
I hear all sorts of opinion on gasless (I'm not messing round with gas bottles so I don't want a "normal" MIG)
What would people suggest for the sub-£150 mark?

I'd mainly just be welding up brackets, tack welding bits and bobs.

[Thats What She Said]

This one will stick bits of metal together. Get some decent wire and you should be good to go.

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/010110125/

[EggsBenedict]

I think i'd be looking at 2nd hand welders for that price. I never had much luck with gasless migs from Machine Mart.

I had a SIP welder (again, a hobby type job) that used little gas bottles - they don't last long, but the welds are better than gasless.

I've got a decent welder now: https://www.weldequip.com/portamig-mig-welders.htm (although mine's the previous model).

What I did find was that my cheapy welding mask/helmet was absolutely shocking rubbish. I thought it was me, but I couldn't actually see the weld puddle or really which way the weld was going. It also left me with minor arc eye. I had to buy a decent one in the end, and it makes a heck of a difference - can actually look at the weld properly and see what's going on. Highly recommended ESAB SENTINEL A50 : https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ESAB-SENTINEL-A50-WELDI...f:0

I know I've just moved your 150 budget to 800+, but that's what Pistonheads is for, right?

I'm currently using mine to build a go-kart for the kids.


ETA: you can get gas from Hobby Gas - no rent gas cylinders. Just Google for your nearest stockist.

Edited by EggsBenedict on Saturday 5th January 17:43

[SHutchinson]

Check Facebook marketplace. Loads of scruffy welders on there that clean up fine.

[Mr2Mike]

crofty1984 said:

Howdy y'all. I'm thinking of getting a welder. I quite like the idea of gasless MIG as I've done a MIG course and I like the fact it's not "live" until I pull the trigger.

Note that plenty of the very budget MIGs have a permanently live tip.

[marksx]

What do you want to weld?

Thick or thin material?

Indoor/outdoor?

[crofty1984]

marksx said:

What do you want to weld?

Thick or thin material?

Indoor/outdoor?

Occasionally brackets and bits of tube for motorbikes, about 1.5-3mm. Being able to do it outside would be handy.
For the amount of use it I don't want to be messing about with bottles, even hobby sized ones. Just pick it up, weld, put it back for another month.

[marksx]

crofty1984 said:

Occasionally brackets and bits of tube for motorbikes, about 1.5-3mm. Being able to do it outside would be handy.
For the amount of use it I don't want to be messing about with bottles, even hobby sized ones. Just pick it up, weld, put it back for another month.

Thin material is very difficult with a stick welder. Well for me anyway! Gasless is probably the best option. I have no experience of one though. I have read that gasless is also difficult for thin metal but lack of experience means I can't comment.

[GreenV8S]

crofty1984 said:

For the amount of use it I don't want to be messing about with bottles, even hobby sized ones. Just pick it up, weld, put it back for another month.

Gasless MIG exists, but I think you'll find conventional gas MIG far better. The amount of 'messing about' to buy a small gas bottle plus spare seems trivial compared to the hassle you'll have hauling big heavy welders around and keeping the wire clean and dry if you're working outside.

For welding thin things such as bike frames you may find TIG is more suitable.

[paintman]

https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/mig-techniques.htm

My own mig was gas/gasless. The gasless did weld but was smoky & needed the slag removing afterwards so after the initial play I didn't use it gasless again.

Edited by paintman on Sunday 6th January 13:47