14 replies to this topic

[minimissions]

Hi just thought I would ask if anyone know the best mig welders to buy, I have done a welding course and the ones we used at college are amazing, they just seemed to weld anything to anything. And i have just been reading through some of the build threads on here and there are some of you out there that are welding well and in the pictures have simular welders to that I had at college.

I have used the little 90amp welders and simular but none of them seem to weld well they just seem to "crap" over everything and blow holes through. The mig welders I see used in the pics on here and the ones at college are very easy to used and give good results.

Can anyone give me some links to some good mig welders and let me no any tips that might help me get more from the welder, at the moment I have a little 90amp one and its not that old in fact its new. And its just not the same as the bigger onces.

Sorry its not about car parts and such just wanted some advise and links if thats ok

Thanks

Edited by minimissions, 08 February 2011 - 10:52 PM.

[Bannon]

mig welders are probably your best bet, they make very strong and tidy welds and use a current and a shield gas so you have no worries with flashback and no naked flame to ignite. great welders and if you are any good with it then you can make a good few quid off of it

We use mig's with argon shield-5 and they work wonders

[Bannon]

haha, i only skimmed your text and didnt realise you were familiar with mig's. we use sealy professional 230v 150amp welders that use a argon/CO2 mix or Argon shield-5

[myredmini]

Heres my set-up..









I use argoshield lite from BOC..

Brilliant set-up I love it!

Dan..

[ANON]

if you've used a decent set ie separate wire feed etc them you will notice a hell of a lot of difference when you use small/hobby sets.

[bardan]

Some MIGs use a flux wire as an alternative to gas. Gas does much better. A gas MIG can make up for lack of talent. I am an example. Flux may be fine in an open area with wind and the weld can look like hardened bird poo (trying to avoid the UK censor). I would rather use argon/CO mix and block any wind.

[minimissions]

Heres my set-up..









I use argoshield lite from BOC..

Brilliant set-up I love it!

Dan..

That is a little bit like the welder I have to the moment a clarke 90amp, but when i bought it came with a little bottle of gas cant remember whats in it now.

How do you get hold of one of them big bottles of gas?

[Bungle]

just a few topics on this already


http://www.theminifo...x...8&hl=welder

http://www.theminifo...x...6&hl=welder

http://www.theminifo...x...0&hl=welder

http://www.theminifo...x...5&hl=welder

http://www.theminifo...x...2&hl=welder

http://www.theminifo...x...4&hl=welder

http://www.theminifo...x...7&hl=welder

http://www.theminifo...x...3&hl=welder

http://www.theminifo...x...5&hl=welder

http://www.theminifo...x...2&hl=welder

http://www.theminifo...x...1&hl=welder

http://www.theminifo...x...8&hl=welder

[OllieTheWelder]

Small bottles are disposable and the larger ones are re fillable and you have to rent them from a gas company.
Have a read through the mig welding forums. You'll learn everything you need there.

Ollie.

[Rich.]

just a few topics on this already


http://www.theminifo...x...8&hl=welder

http://www.theminifo...x...6&hl=welder

http://www.theminifo...x...0&hl=welder

http://www.theminifo...x...5&hl=welder

http://www.theminifo...x...2&hl=welder

http://www.theminifo...x...4&hl=welder

http://www.theminifo...x...7&hl=welder

http://www.theminifo...x...3&hl=welder

http://www.theminifo...x...5&hl=welder

http://www.theminifo...x...2&hl=welder

http://www.theminifo...x...1&hl=welder

http://www.theminifo...x...8&hl=welder

I was just about to do the same thing when i saw the thread title lol Is it not possible to make a sticky with some details about choosing a welder and links to tutorials and stuff? I'll even put it together if the mods want.

Rich

[Rich.]

Small bottles are disposable and the larger ones are re fillable and you have to rent them from a gas company.
Have a read through the mig welding forums. You'll learn everything you need there.

Ollie.

Unless you go to a company that will let you buy the bottle from them and fill it for you when its empty, quite hard to find but there are plenty of them out there. For my bottle at home i paid £40 for it and costs about £15 to fill it with pure Co2.

Rich

[finch661]

www.mig-welding.co.uk loads of info.

i'm using a clarke 150TE i bought brand new for £200. factor in costs for a welding helmet/mask, gloves and some clamps. Mine is running on disposable CO2 bottles as it came free with the welder. they last for about 10 mins, and cost about £15 each.

[Rich.]

Yep, we have lincolns in the workshop, both mig and tig, lovely machines but not cheap!

[smileytony]

I use a SIP 105 and it's more than good enough for mini panels, and heaver welding (currently building a box to reinforce where I've removed the inner wings).

Personally I prefer gasless (fluxed) wire...saves me the hassel of gas, and worrying about windy conditions etc. I've had a fair bit of practice and can make the welds as neat as gas (non fluxed) wire which I used to use...

You do get a little more splatter with gasless wire tho...

[myredmini]

Heres my set-up..









I use argoshield lite from BOC..

Brilliant set-up I love it!

Dan..

That is a little bit like the welder I have to the moment a clarke 90amp, but when i bought it came with a little bottle of gas cant remember whats in it now.

How do you get hold of one of them big bottles of gas?

Either ring BOC Gases, or go to your local gas supplier which you can find on the boc supplier locater on their web page, go and they have a price list, they may have altered due to VAT etc..

Dan..