Buying a Welder - FAQ

[eSteve]

There's a good article here on the UK MIG site with respect to gas choice: Linky

Nice work Tatey

[baz-r]

Originally Posted by eSteve

There's a good article here on the UK MIG site with respect to gas choice: Linky

Nice work Tatey

for chassis work you want a mixed gas argon/co2 for light work as nothing is that thick (low co2%)
argoshield light or universal from boc or equivlent

pure argon for all ally and stainless work and tiging (can be used for mild steel but expensive unless you only want to pay for one bottle)

[shaun]

I know this has been asked before, but I have got around 200 quid for a welder, there are so many out there and I don't want to buy a chinese machine, should I go for a 135 amp Sealey/Siegen or a Clarke,or should I really be looking towards the 150 amp machines? what welders do you guys have? sorry if it's been asked before

[flyerncle]

For my money more power is always usefull.
I have the use of a 200 amp 3 phase welder in the garage and there is little it will not weld and as above I would go for the larger welder.

[Coozer]

I got one of THESE! with full size argon gas bottle, also a full size 15kg wire reel.

Best thing I've every bought.

Steve

[drury318]

Originally Posted by Coozer

I got one of THESE! with full size argon gas bottle, also a full size 15kg wire reel.

Best thing I've every bought.

Steve

I agree, I have the same one but it`s from MTA (MigTigArc) in portsmouth, same machine but badged as theirs and blue not red. It works a treat & after years of mucking about with hobby migs and crappy wire feeds it is a real eyeopener to use one of these, especially when you want to stitch weld in short bursts, the wire feed is fantastic, (the motor is like a big car wiper motor). I can`t recall what I paid for it a few years ago but I seem to think it was slightly less than Weldquipe & free next day delivery too. I also don`t think it was really much more expensive than a big Clarke welder.
Reliability is excellent, no probs at all, well worth the investment.
Dennis.

[ayjay]

I've been tacking my chassis together with my cheapo (£99.99) hobby gasless mig welder and been practicing the full welds on some scrap.

Had a go with a PROPER BIG BOYS welder today and it's a billion times easier and produces far better welds.

[chunky2772]

I have a thermal ark dc tig set for sale 150 amp this is a top quality machine i paid £895 for it last year its as new condition if anyone is interested i'd let it go for £350. This is an industrial quality machine you can weld all day long full power and it won't cut out like all the cheap sets do. Runs on 240v supply
I use these sets at work and there bullet proof little machines.