Which Mig welder?
Turbo Mini Forums

Hi guys,

Considering getting a new mig welder.. The one I have has only 2 power settings and can be frustrating to use! Either too powerful and blows holes in the panels of piss poor weak!
Need something with quite a fair power range I reckon.

Just wondering what migs you guys have and recommend... Something that won't cost the earth..

Cheers...

Very well rated onthe welding forums
http://www.weldequip.com/portamig-mig-welders.htm

Cheers Wolfie, bit more than I wanted to spend however..

Edited by evad1980 on 27th Apr, 2013.

I have one of these:

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/...urbo-mig-welder

Had no problems with it over the. Does everything I need.

http://www.twin-turbo.co.uk
http://www.hillclimbandsprint.co.uk/default.asp

A man without a project is like a like a woman without a shopping list.

i have an older model of the one Ben linked too, owned it from new almost 10 years now never had a problem with it

Yes i moved to the darkside

Instagram @jdm_brett

Cheers guys... Do u think gas or gasless makes a big difference?

yes! gas all the way,

I've got this:

http://www.weldequip.com/clarke-160tm.htm

Been absolutely spot on so far. The thickest I have welded is 3mm, but I reckon it would happily do 5mm.

Do the gas bottles last long? I know it depends on how much your doing but do you find your changing bottles often? Does it become expensive?

gas 100%, i use CO2 for general fab because i have masses of it but argon mix is brill for delicate stuff

edit: 12kg CO2 with a good reg will last me maybe 30/40 hours? dont quote me maybe 12 months of general use

last year i welded up 3 cat back stainless systems on 1 disposable cylinder ( about 2 hours total welding)

Edited by Brett on 27th Apr, 2013.

Yes i moved to the darkside

Instagram @jdm_brett

clarke 150te with argon mix at 5 per cent , good welder 3 power settings easy to use , dont bother with disposable bottles ,

give em hell

Ok... Gas seems the way to go...

Again, as Brett said, argon mix is what I would weld with. You get a much more consistent slug trail than co2.

www.apsbikes.co.uk

Cool.. I must try the gas then.. Struggling with what I've got!

I use c02 as its free. Seems to weld fine with me.

another thing to look out for is the industrial gas reuglator / adaptor for the welder, some are only supplied with the connectors for a hobby / disposable bottle which tbh is very expensive way to go about things.

another tip, if you can afford one with a euro torch connector make sure you get one as changing torches can be a pain otherwise, although you can modify many to have one its easiest to buy one allready fitted.

ive heard great things about the clarke range of welders for their price but as with everything you get what you pay for!

I've had my Snap On 130 Turbo for ages, bits are easy to get and it has been a good reliable machine for me. It is a rebranded Cebora machine, which means you can get the same machine for less without the Snap On tax.

Well, out with the old and in with the new... After much deliberation I went for the Clarke 160TM, a very nice piece of kit!



Managed to do some really nice welds straight away.... Chuffed!!



Thanks for all your suggestions beforehand!!

nice. I really like mine.

Its very satisfying when the welder does what you want it to

Yeah great welder, also my weapon of choice.

Yup, very satisfying indeed... Been in the garage last 2 days welding everything in sight!!

Time to crack on with the project! :)

cebora 180 auto star, got to be 17 years old now but welds like a dream from panels to 5mm

http://www.fishfight.net/

I have a esab since there are not many other marks here. But very good machine. (Bit expensive though) but you can set wire speed and power as you please from sleeping slow to stupidly fast.

you can do anything if you set your mind to it...
i rather blow it up winning than keep it together losing.

finish date set for project 1... march 2018