Advice needed from fellow builders

[robo]

From another forum.

Cool Which Hobby MIG to Buy???
OK, you have decided you are gonna take the plunge, have a go & buy yourself a small Hobby MIG; which make to buy?? (As this is a UK based site this is aimed at UK buyers & other countries will have other options).
There is now an ever growing number of brands to choose from but I will base this on 'The Big 4 Brands' in the UK which I have had hands-on experience in selling AND, more importantly, servicing & repairing.
These are my own OPINION's (for you legal eagles out there!)

SIP
+ Points:- Very widely available so parts are never a problem. Good performance on low settings. (25amps low setting)
- Points:- Wire feed assembly is poor & gives really annoying problems with age. The Torch connection to the machine is also very vunerable to damage which can also cause ALL kinds of problems.
OVERALL: 5/10

SEALEY
+ Points:- Again, available everywhere so parts never a problem. Seem to perform better on straight CO2 gas (over Argoshield) than most others. Now have a 3 Year warranty (Limited) which has to be worth something.
- Points:- Not that many really. Any Professional would consider them as 'Chat' but, for the money, they are pretty reliable.
OVERALL: 6/10

CEBORA (SNAP-ON)
+ Points:- The Cebora 'Pocket Turbo 130' was THE first small MIG on the market & has hardly changed since the original. Has a proper, heavy duty contactor unit fitted (as used on bigger industrial stuff) & generally very, very reliable with superb spares & technical support.
- Points:- Not the very best performance on extremely thin stuff & don't like working on CO2 (most makes don't). Expensive to buy & spare parts expensive (but you won't need em that often!).
OVERALL: 7/10

CLARKE
+ Points:- Overall best build quality with a reliable wire feed unit & the nicest quality torch in it's class.
- Points:- Hardly any really. The only gripe is dealing with a large national chain of 'counter sales' staff.
OVERALL: 8/10

Again, I stress that these are my own opinions (based on 15+ years working experience with the machines!) & should not be interpretated as a gospel 'league table'.
For you American viewers the Lincoln SP170, Millermatic 175 & Hobart Handler 180 ALL have 11/10 in comparison with the above.
weldequip



Bob