Time for a new MIG welder - £400 budget

[Lugy]

Morning!

I'm looking to replace my faithful old SIP 100 with something a bit more guts.
Looking for at least 150A but still with the capability of about 30A. It'll be used for general garage work and a bit light fabrication.

Any thoughts on these I'm currently looking at?

Sealey Supermig 180 (and also the 150 version)
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sealey-Professional-MIG...

Clarke MIG160
https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/mig160tm-welder/

I've been looking at the offerings from SIP, R-Tech and Parweld but that's starting to get a bit expensive.

Any other suggestions?

[pherlopolus]

Both of those will need a dedicated supply and not a 13a plug, and therefore probably permanently sited rather than portable (unless you already have 16a or 32a sockets where you want to use it)

I think you can get to 130amps on a 13a plug.

I can't comment on them cos I just buy Clarke ones from machine mart...

[Lugy]

We've got some 16A sockets in our garage so no issues there.
I like the idea of the Euro torch on the Sealey and the power/price ratio.
If Machine Mart started up their VAT free promotions that might level the playing field though.

[paintman]

Eurotorch every time.
Converted my Clarke a few years ago. Wish I'd done it a lot sooner!

[Lugy]

I've bit the bullet and bought the Sealey 180. I'll report back when I get it up and running!

[xstian]

I was going to recommend the Oxford Migmaker 180 or the R Tech Mig180. Both are meant to be excellent machines. The oxford is a transformer mig which will out live most and is very good for welding thin metals such as car body repairs and the R Tech is a inverter mig which is meant to be extremely easy to use and very adjustable, but maybe to so long lived compared to the Oxford. I'm looking to get a Oxford Mig soon, probably a slightly bigger 200, but my POS Sealey seems to keep chugging on, so they can't be too bad.

Anyway, I see you have already ordered a new mig and both these machines are well over budget, so a double fail. Just thought I would add to this in case anyone else was interested in the future.

Happy welding with your new Sealey

[t.boydy]

We have several Parweld machines, great welders!!!

https://engweld.co.uk/product/parweld-185a-sphase-...

Would recommend over Sealey all day long

Tom

[Krikkit]

t.boydy said:

We have several Parweld machines, great welders!!!

https://engweld.co.uk/product/parweld-185a-sphase-...

Would recommend over Sealey all day long

Tom

Agree completely, great machines.

Would also consider a 2nd-hand Portamig as they're fantastic and should be available.

[xstian]

t.boydy said:

We have several Parweld machines, great welders!!!

https://engweld.co.uk/product/parweld-185a-sphase-...

Would recommend over Sealey all day long

Tom

That Parweld looks good value for the money.

[Lugy]

Thanks for the replies, maybe one day I'll justify spending a bit more money on one but I'm happy that the Sealey one will do what I need!
As it happens it turned up at half 8 this morning so I can't complain about delivery .