Current MiG Welder of Choice for Novice?
Discussion
Looking for a gas MiG welder for a car project so think I'm looking at around 150Amps max and a min of 20-30. Needs to run off a 13Amp plug and be portable. Been told I want a Euro non-live torch. Slowly becoming overwhelmed by the choices. Any recommendations for a MiG welder novice? Budget £500.
Also regarding gas - I have spoken with BoC and got a quote for their hobby gas deal. Any other suggestions for gas? (Been recommended to avoid plain CO2).
Also regarding gas - I have spoken with BoC and got a quote for their hobby gas deal. Any other suggestions for gas? (Been recommended to avoid plain CO2).
Clarke 160TM - https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/mig160tm-welder/
I used Adams gas https://www.adamsgas.co.uk/ who supply small bottles at a very reasonable price and you can refill on an ad-hoc basis.
I used Adams gas https://www.adamsgas.co.uk/ who supply small bottles at a very reasonable price and you can refill on an ad-hoc basis.
Stig said:
Clarke 160TM - https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/mig160tm-welder/
I used Adams gas https://www.adamsgas.co.uk/ who supply small bottles at a very reasonable price and you can refill on an ad-hoc basis.
Don't think that will run off a 13A supply.I used Adams gas https://www.adamsgas.co.uk/ who supply small bottles at a very reasonable price and you can refill on an ad-hoc basis.
oakdale said:
Stig said:
Clarke 160TM - https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/mig160tm-welder/
I used Adams gas https://www.adamsgas.co.uk/ who supply small bottles at a very reasonable price and you can refill on an ad-hoc basis.
Don't think that will run off a 13A supply.I used Adams gas https://www.adamsgas.co.uk/ who supply small bottles at a very reasonable price and you can refill on an ad-hoc basis.
^^^The spec in the 160 ad says it requires hard wiring.
I have a Clarke 151EN gas/no gas mig.
I used it as it came for years for car welding & boat trailers & it was, in the main, fine.
Runs off normal household 13 amp socket without any issues.
I found the no-gas with the fluxed wire very smoky & needed slag chipping off the weld so used it pretty much exclusively with gas.
Big sheets of cardboard/hardboard strategically placed go a long way to keeping the breeze from blowing the gas away.
Don't bother with the small non-refillable bottles. Cost a fortune & don't last long.
I changed the gas regulator to a full size one & use the smaller BOC bottles (you may be better with the Adams as mentioned above, BOC have a monthly rental charge over & above the cost of a full cylinder but I SMART repair professionally so claim it back. That said I pay just over £6 pcm so not going to break the bank)
I use Argoshield Light. Nicer than CO2.
I did convert it to eurotorch a couple of years ago & that was a major improvement.
A 'must have' is an autodarkening mask. Get the headshield type. Mine's a Speedglas.
ETA. If you're using bigger bottles I'd suggest your first project should be a wheeled trolley to move the mig around on with a bottle holder as part of it. Makes life easier - and safer as you aren't going to knock the bottle over! Although having just had a quick Google they aren't that expensive.
I have a Clarke 151EN gas/no gas mig.
I used it as it came for years for car welding & boat trailers & it was, in the main, fine.
Runs off normal household 13 amp socket without any issues.
I found the no-gas with the fluxed wire very smoky & needed slag chipping off the weld so used it pretty much exclusively with gas.
Big sheets of cardboard/hardboard strategically placed go a long way to keeping the breeze from blowing the gas away.
Don't bother with the small non-refillable bottles. Cost a fortune & don't last long.
I changed the gas regulator to a full size one & use the smaller BOC bottles (you may be better with the Adams as mentioned above, BOC have a monthly rental charge over & above the cost of a full cylinder but I SMART repair professionally so claim it back. That said I pay just over £6 pcm so not going to break the bank)
I use Argoshield Light. Nicer than CO2.
I did convert it to eurotorch a couple of years ago & that was a major improvement.
A 'must have' is an autodarkening mask. Get the headshield type. Mine's a Speedglas.
ETA. If you're using bigger bottles I'd suggest your first project should be a wheeled trolley to move the mig around on with a bottle holder as part of it. Makes life easier - and safer as you aren't going to knock the bottle over! Although having just had a quick Google they aren't that expensive.
Edited by paintman on Wednesday 12th August 10:52
You'll get away with using these 150/160A welders at lower powers but not at full power for any length of time on a 13A supply, so there's no advantage in having the larger amperage.
It's surprising what you can weld with 130A welder and I personally wouldn't use one bigger than that on a mains socket.
It's surprising what you can weld with 130A welder and I personally wouldn't use one bigger than that on a mains socket.
oakdale said:
Stig said:
Clarke 160TM - https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/mig160tm-welder/
I used Adams gas https://www.adamsgas.co.uk/ who supply small bottles at a very reasonable price and you can refill on an ad-hoc basis.
Don't think that will run off a 13A supply.I used Adams gas https://www.adamsgas.co.uk/ who supply small bottles at a very reasonable price and you can refill on an ad-hoc basis.
Besides, it came fitted with a 13A plug!
Usual guidelines apply, no extension leads etc.
Edited by Stig on Wednesday 12th August 12:22
Thanks for the suggestions and advice folks.
When I said 13A supply I mean a 13A plug socket so the Clarke is no good as it's hard wired. It also looks like it has a hard-wired torch not a Euro connector.
I've been looking at Gys EasyMig but I was reading comments about the wire feed being "plasticy" and no good and apparently smooth decent wire feed is very important particularly for a novice? Also looking at Sealey SuperMig and Parweld (which handily comes with a "ready to weld" kit which includes gas regulator, mask and gauntlets).
Will check out Adams gas.
When I said 13A supply I mean a 13A plug socket so the Clarke is no good as it's hard wired. It also looks like it has a hard-wired torch not a Euro connector.
I've been looking at Gys EasyMig but I was reading comments about the wire feed being "plasticy" and no good and apparently smooth decent wire feed is very important particularly for a novice? Also looking at Sealey SuperMig and Parweld (which handily comes with a "ready to weld" kit which includes gas regulator, mask and gauntlets).
Will check out Adams gas.
Clarke 151 is really good, I bought one after struggling with a SIP for years and it's in a different league.
Euro torches are apparently much better but generally only seem to come on much bigger and more expensive machines - when I was looking I don't think I could find one on a 13A plug.
Depends what you want it for? I use mine every couple of weeks I guess, I can't say I feel the need for anything bigger or better. Bear in mind how much storage you have, and how much you'll need to cart it around - they're heavy and bulky. Anything bigger for me would be a ballache right now. Different if you're setting up a welding shop with a fixed steel bench and will be doing a lot of sit down fabrication.
Same goes for the bottles. Large gas bottles are cheaper for sure; but I've stuck with the disposables largely from a space pov and also because it means I can move the thing around when I need to. I wouldn't write anything off, you need to pick the compromise which works best for you.
Euro torches are apparently much better but generally only seem to come on much bigger and more expensive machines - when I was looking I don't think I could find one on a 13A plug.
Depends what you want it for? I use mine every couple of weeks I guess, I can't say I feel the need for anything bigger or better. Bear in mind how much storage you have, and how much you'll need to cart it around - they're heavy and bulky. Anything bigger for me would be a ballache right now. Different if you're setting up a welding shop with a fixed steel bench and will be doing a lot of sit down fabrication.
Same goes for the bottles. Large gas bottles are cheaper for sure; but I've stuck with the disposables largely from a space pov and also because it means I can move the thing around when I need to. I wouldn't write anything off, you need to pick the compromise which works best for you.
48k said:
Thanks for the suggestions and advice folks.
When I said 13A supply I mean a 13A plug socket so the Clarke is no good as it's hard wired. It also looks like it has a hard-wired torch not a Euro connector.
I've been looking at Gys EasyMig but I was reading comments about the wire feed being "plasticy" and no good and apparently smooth decent wire feed is very important particularly for a novice? Also looking at Sealey SuperMig and Parweld (which handily comes with a "ready to weld" kit which includes gas regulator, mask and gauntlets).
Will check out Adams gas.
Oh, don't be swayed by those "ready to weld" kits. They're junk. Spend part of your budget on a decent auto-darkening helmet. Gloves are consumables and cheap (I just bought a couple of pairs, 8 quid a pair I think). When I said 13A supply I mean a 13A plug socket so the Clarke is no good as it's hard wired. It also looks like it has a hard-wired torch not a Euro connector.
I've been looking at Gys EasyMig but I was reading comments about the wire feed being "plasticy" and no good and apparently smooth decent wire feed is very important particularly for a novice? Also looking at Sealey SuperMig and Parweld (which handily comes with a "ready to weld" kit which includes gas regulator, mask and gauntlets).
Will check out Adams gas.
Thanks - been recommended this helmet https://www.thewelderswarehouse.com/Welding-Suppli...
No idea if it's any good or not but seems to have a lot of positive reviews.
Blacksmith in my village is giving me some offcuts of box section and sheet to practice on so just need to sort the welder and I'm good to go. What could possibly go wrong?
No idea if it's any good or not but seems to have a lot of positive reviews.
Blacksmith in my village is giving me some offcuts of box section and sheet to practice on so just need to sort the welder and I'm good to go. What could possibly go wrong?
You don't necessarily need a euro torch fitting but non live is a necessity. IMHO
I was given this the other week and it has a hard wired torch (see photo) and with a 125psi clean up to eject the spiders and fitting of a new roll
of layer wound 0.6mm wire. (£40) A wipe over with an oily rag and a bit of guesswork with the settings and it produced decent 1mm butt welds with
excellent penetration using 5% gas mix. (see other photo's).
It works fine from a 13 amp socket, but then so does my Lincoln 210 running 0.8mm wire and 15%
Personally I wouldn't go for the Chinese stuff, but then even buying from a British company doesn't mean its British.
Paul G
I was given this the other week and it has a hard wired torch (see photo) and with a 125psi clean up to eject the spiders and fitting of a new roll
of layer wound 0.6mm wire. (£40) A wipe over with an oily rag and a bit of guesswork with the settings and it produced decent 1mm butt welds with
excellent penetration using 5% gas mix. (see other photo's).
It works fine from a 13 amp socket, but then so does my Lincoln 210 running 0.8mm wire and 15%
Personally I wouldn't go for the Chinese stuff, but then even buying from a British company doesn't mean its British.
Paul G
The people on the mig welding forum are very helpful, plus there's a lot of useful stuff on the website...
https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/
https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/
48k said:
Stupid question but people on here and other forums mention "avoid the cheap Chinese crap" but I've no idea which makes those are?
Any suggestions of makes to watch out for / avoid?
I suggest you look at the offerings from companies that give a warranty & also stock spare items for their machines.Any suggestions of makes to watch out for / avoid?
Machine Mart come under that heading.
Random online & ebay sellers might be more of a problem if you have warranty/replacement parts problems.
The hardwired torch that comes with the majority of cheaper hobby type migs is perfectly adequate - I used mine for years like that.
That included body thickness metal (I have a 1986 RRC & I've done a lot of welding on that over the 26 years I've owned it!) & the boat trailer which required full power as it's 3mm rectangular box section. No issues.
The existing torch had become very worn - feed & gas stop issues - and for £90ish for the conversion kit it made sense to convert to eurotorch. It is better.
You could look for a more professional use used item BUT the risk is that it may have faults/issues & may not be suitable for running off a domestic socket - unless you want to fit a cooker circuit.
A lot of love for the clarke welders here and I can see why (I have a 151TE that I have used about 3 times.... ) but the OP did say portable. So be careful, things like the 151 (and 160?) are transformer based so weigh a lot. The 151 is 32kg I think. I certainly would not really call it portable!
For portability I would have thought an inverter based design was better?
I have read the rtech welders are good value for money and they give good support?
eg https://www.r-techwelding.co.uk/mig-welder-r-tech-...
in the op's budget and has a euro torch, claims to be ok up to 160A on a 13A socket.
For portability I would have thought an inverter based design was better?
I have read the rtech welders are good value for money and they give good support?
eg https://www.r-techwelding.co.uk/mig-welder-r-tech-...
in the op's budget and has a euro torch, claims to be ok up to 160A on a 13A socket.
brman said:
A lot of love for the clarke welders here and I can see why (I have a 151TE that I have used about 3 times.... ) but the OP did say portable. So be careful, things like the 151 (and 160?) are transformer based so weigh a lot. The 151 is 32kg I think. I certainly would not really call it portable!
For portability I would have thought an inverter based design was better?
I have read the rtech welders are good value for money and they give good support?
eg https://www.r-techwelding.co.uk/mig-welder-r-tech-...
in the op's budget and has a euro torch, claims to be ok up to 160A on a 13A socket.
I've been reading the above-mentioned mig welding forum for a few weeks and the r-tech didn't seem to get much love for its "plasticy" wire feed which put me off a little.For portability I would have thought an inverter based design was better?
I have read the rtech welders are good value for money and they give good support?
eg https://www.r-techwelding.co.uk/mig-welder-r-tech-...
in the op's budget and has a euro torch, claims to be ok up to 160A on a 13A socket.
48k said:
brman said:
A lot of love for the clarke welders here and I can see why (I have a 151TE that I have used about 3 times.... ) but the OP did say portable. So be careful, things like the 151 (and 160?) are transformer based so weigh a lot. The 151 is 32kg I think. I certainly would not really call it portable!
For portability I would have thought an inverter based design was better?
I have read the rtech welders are good value for money and they give good support?
eg https://www.r-techwelding.co.uk/mig-welder-r-tech-...
in the op's budget and has a euro torch, claims to be ok up to 160A on a 13A socket.
I've been reading the above-mentioned mig welding forum for a few weeks and the r-tech didn't seem to get much love for its "plasticy" wire feed which put me off a little.For portability I would have thought an inverter based design was better?
I have read the rtech welders are good value for money and they give good support?
eg https://www.r-techwelding.co.uk/mig-welder-r-tech-...
in the op's budget and has a euro torch, claims to be ok up to 160A on a 13A socket.
Although all of my welders, TIG, MIG, & ARC, are recognised industrial makes they were bought second hand. Both the MIGs will take a 15kg reel
of wire and will run all day.
Some makes are manufactured in China but painted with decals as specified by the importer and others sent in batches to whatever eBay shop sells them.
I have only heard good things about R-Tech and if I were in the market for new, and £500 was my budget, the guarantee would seal the deal for me.
Paul G
(time served apprenticed welder with many years experience)
of wire and will run all day.
Some makes are manufactured in China but painted with decals as specified by the importer and others sent in batches to whatever eBay shop sells them.
I have only heard good things about R-Tech and if I were in the market for new, and £500 was my budget, the guarantee would seal the deal for me.
Paul G
(time served apprenticed welder with many years experience)
I think this is a good example of the sort of discussion you get on mig-welding.co.uk 
https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/r-tech...
I only read the first page but comments saying the Rtech is rubbish but oddly those that own or have really used then say they are great value for money. I particularly liked the guy that said "the power control is utter rubbish" but it turns out he just doesn't like any inverter welder with continuously variable control.
I have read that forum before and get the impression there are a lot of experienced guys with expensive kit and very entrenched views
Not that I am saying the rtech is the best, I have never used one and would not know how to judge it properly even if I had.
https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/r-tech...
I only read the first page but comments saying the Rtech is rubbish but oddly those that own or have really used then say they are great value for money. I particularly liked the guy that said "the power control is utter rubbish" but it turns out he just doesn't like any inverter welder with continuously variable control.
I have read that forum before and get the impression there are a lot of experienced guys with expensive kit and very entrenched views
Not that I am saying the rtech is the best, I have never used one and would not know how to judge it properly even if I had.
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