13 replies to this topic

[Danny Boy]

aplogies if this is in the wrong section!!!

right i want a welder to weld pannels, make general reapirs and also be capable of more heavy duty work such as welding subframes etc. ive been told a gas mig welder wood be good as there the easiest to use, wood they be suitable??

Im gonna buy a second hand one as im not mega rich (student) ive got 2 options of welders that are being offered to me (for a price):

Sealey mighty mig 130xt:
http://i120.photobuc...254/fbe7_12.jpg

or the SIP handymate mig welder:
http://i120.photobuc...3254/7016_1.jpg

which one is best and will they be ok???

Thanks Dan

[campfreddy2]

Hi
I use a migmate and it gives good results.
HTH
col

[Danny Boy]

Hi
I use a migmate and it gives good results.
HTH
col

cool is is cappaple of all the things i want it to do?

[Jammy]

I've heard Clarke, Cebora or Snap on are good welders. Not heard a great deal about Sealey (but no bad reports either) and heard mixed reports about the Sips, although my 150T Migmate has been fine for the little welding I've used it on.

Try and get at least a 130 amp welder, which should do you for any thickness of metal you'll weld on a project mini. A turbo model will help if you plan to do long stints of welding, but not essential for the hobbyist. A few people say the dual purpose models are good to go for (means you can gasless or gas welding), and if your going to do any welding outside then gasless helps, but the welds are generally inferior to gas welds, so if you don't have to weld outside don't worry about a dual purpose welder.

As for which one of those two would be better...both have same power settings, etc so if both are 130 Turbo models just get whichever is cheapest.

Also, check out mig-welding.co.uk for very helpful advice!

[jim295]

mini magazine has had a beginners welding guide in it for the past 3 issues... if you know someone who has a subscription the articles are really good and helpful in explaining which welder to go for and why...

[Turbo Nick]

i'd say a 90A or 110A would be plenty for a mini. i've got a 130 turbo and the only time i've had it on full power was to weld up a cradle to scoot my mini round on. usually on the lowest power setting when welding the mini.

[Danny Boy]

Thanks guys!! yeah i was reading the mini mag artical about welding at work and it said mig welders are the easiest to use and gas gives a better quality weld i cant remember anything about amp rating but if 130 is enough i think i will go for the mig mate as it is nearer to where i live!!

Actually ive had a rethink the sealey welder has four settings wheras the migmate only has two therefore giving a grater range of metal thichnesses that can be safley welded! Although it will be a 80mile round trip lol

Edited by Danny Boy, 11 June 2007 - 04:05 PM.

[Sam]

I've found my Sealey very good, we've had a SIP and a clarke one before and they were a both a bit *******,

We've got a Sealey supermig 185 now and its great, but it was quite expesnive.

[minidaves]

fan cooled is most important and i would say out of them two the sealy one.

welding is a skill and see so much bad stuff, it scares me

dave

[Boab]

Cebora/Sealey are the same are they not. I've got the Cebora 130T and find it too powerful for panels even on the lowest setting. I have to pulse weld everything.

[minidaves]

welding is a skill as said, on my welder i weld in mid power so around 100 amps but gas and wire speeds have a huge effect too

dave

[Danny Boy]

im gonna buy a haynes manual on automotive welding after i have bought the welder probably a good starting point!!

[Gizzum]

try and get one that has current adjustment and wire speed adjustment, and also one with a switch in the trigger... I bought mine where the wire is permanently live, was very annoying until i got used to it.

Also pick up a auto dimming helmet. You can get them of fleabay for bout 30 inc postage! very cheap and they are good.

[Danny Boy]

Ive just bought that sealey welder for £115 its got a big empty co2 bottle and a full reel of welding wire and a mask and a torch do you rekon its a good price???