Buying a MIG

Hey guys, so I've decided its about time I bought myself a MIG, I've always been a bit spoilt in regard to welding as I've always had access to professional workshops with decent kit, but I've never really paid much attention to the specs/settings.

The other problem I'm facing is having recently moved to France I don't recognise any brand names etc and don't know what tool shops are reliable, so will be very much going off specs and trying to pick up something half decent second hand, just wanted some tips on identifying what to look out for!

I'll be welding small bodywork jobs up to fairly heavy duty fabrication, so need something with some guts!

Cheers for any advice!

 

Wrong type of MIG I guess?!

 

Haha sean, that would certainly make visits back to blighty a bit quicker!

I was rather hoping some brainy folks might know what the welders are rebranded as in europe, as I don't recognise any of the names over here!

 

Have a look on here http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/index.php, lots of info on welders, plus some interesting projects.

 

Some of the replies to this are the kind I'd expect on E38.

Ozz, what's your budget?

From personal experience in terms of quality and after-sales service I would recommend R-tech. If they don't have a distributor there, they'd certainly ship to there.

 

Budget will probably be around 250-300, so will be looking to go second hand to get something decent. Also got to work out how gas refills work over here and who does them! Starting to wish I'd paid more attention when I used to work in the sports car factory, but I was speacialising in carbon work so whenever I needed to weld anything it was all set up and ready to go! Hence although I'm not bad at mig/tig work I don't know much about the kit!

I'll have a browse through that forum and will see if r-tech exist over here, cheers guys!

 

I'm assuming my humour isn't welcome here then Trev?

 

I thought it was funny only for a bit thou lol dont france work on 220 volts so our migs will work with a change of plug?

 

Small doses of juvenile humour from me from time to time! Toilet jokes next!

French plugs are earthed in an odd manner are they not?

I'm assuming you speak French so maybe speak to some local body shops and find out what's what.

 

Nah you're alright; I'm a major miserable git today plus I wanted to ensure it get some helpful responses.

 

It's ok, I'm not a morning person myself, we'll actually I'm not a people person come to think of it!

 

Well I was in a position very much like the guy who started this.

- have in the past used big "pro" MIG welders
- now was after a MIG for home use

I had spent a bit of time on the recommended mig-forum and chatted with a few mates (a few of who own and run garages) and when Machine Mart sent out a VAT free invite it seamed rude not to.

I went for the 135TE http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/135te-turbo-mig-welder

I have to say I have been very pleased with how it works. Have been doing a few very small repairs to a mates Mk2 and I have a few other wee projects in mind that would be much easier with a MIG on hand.

 

Well I was in a similar situation in having used some proper commercial spec MIG's in the past and now getting the feeling I would like one for home use. I spend a fair bit of time on the mig-forum.co.uk they are all a very helpful bunch and the general view seams to be that the Clarke stuff is quite good over all.

I picked up a 135TE a a few weeks back, and after 20 mins setting it up and a few test runs I can only say I am very impressed with it. For car body work the important thing to look for how low the amp setting you can get from a unit. I was tempted to get the Pro 90 as it can get down to 24amps but the over all spec of the 135TE and the fact it is fan cooled so will run a higher duty cycle. I have a stick welder should I need to weld anything thicker than any thing on a car.

I am currently using the small gas bottles but will be grabbing a pub gas C02 bottle next week as it will be FOC.

 

I have a Clarke 135TE - Very good welder

 

Clarke and Sealey stuff is ok - Avoid SIP like the plague.

I'd go for Cebora over any of those though!

 

Aren't Cebora a bit more expensive than Clarke?

 

they are proper good and if any proof was needed are branded Snap-On too, but the Clarke 135TE on a VAT free day had a good bit going for it.

And I know this bit of kit will sit in my garage for 359 days of the year just taking up space and not being used.

 

My only issue with that model, and all of the smaller MIG's is the duty cycles. It's now one of the things I look at first as my SIP is utter crap.
If you need to weld anything over 3-4mm for any length of time the duty cycle will pi ss you right off and slow you down.
There are some cracking deals on if you look about for MIGs with seperate euro torches and good duty cycles at full power. The budget does go up though.

 

Yes.

I bought a 2nd hand Snap-On badged Cebora (Pro 160) with a regulator and massive gas bottle - nearly full - for 160 I think it was - gumtree. It's pretty old and well used, so I changed the torch for a Euro Torch and it works just grand. Much better than my 15 year old Sealey 100 MiG, which is still OK in its own way, but no good for heavy gauge stuff.

Lots of smaller Ceboras kicking around on Gumtree and ebay. My dad has had a 130 model for years that he bought 2nd hand. No bother with it. Seem to be plenty of spares available for them as well.

My general observation would be look to buy a welder somewhere like gumtree or a car forum. Stuff on ebay seems to go for more money, and probably what it's worth. Not many bargains to be had on there.


Having said that... the current selection on ebay looks better lol

 

A mate and I have picked up some handy stuff off Gumtree and I did find some not bad looking MIG's local-ish but. I just could not be bothered with any issues after I had bough it.
So for me
- the ability to take it back and get it sorted if there was a problem
- there is quite good parts and support for the Clarke
- they have a shop in Edinburgh

were all big plus points for me.