dunk11
Part of things
Posts: 156
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Apr 24, 2013 10:37:56 GMT
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Hi All,
On the look out for a cheap MIG welding kit. Ideally 130A+, gas or gasless is fine. but anything considered.
somewhere near Leeds ideal or a compact unit you would be happy posting.
Not looking to spend too much, so anyone got anything they want to part with? Anything considered!
Cheers!! Duncan
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v1xz
Part of things
i'm retro
Posts: 661
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Apr 24, 2013 12:43:50 GMT
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Got a SIP Mig 150A welder, pub gas cylinder (with gas init), regulator, trolley, mask and gloves. £180 Manchester
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Last Edit: Apr 24, 2013 14:36:38 GMT by v1xz
1998 Merc E240 1997 BMW 728i 1998 VW Passat 2000 Kangoo 1999 Transit LWB 1999 Matiz SE 2001 Clio 1998 Golf GTi 1996 Ford Luton.... Retired.... Want a Motorbike... Got one... Yamaha WR125X... Missed RR sooo much... 1983 Porsche 944 1997 Celica 2000 Clio 1993 MR2 1992 MR2T 1989 325i Touring
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Apr 24, 2013 14:45:44 GMT
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Cheap migs are a bad idea, new and cheap = curse word and old and cheap normally = worn out. A curse word or worn out Mig is a pain in the , if your budget is up to £200 though then there are some good quality used items out there, under £100 is a bit more hit and miss.
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dunk11
Part of things
Posts: 156
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Apr 25, 2013 10:49:06 GMT
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Cheers V1xz, would you be able to get me a couple of pics, how old is the setup etc? Bit more than I was hoping to spend for 2nd hand stuff, but might be interested.
Also, cheers Pistonbroke. I appreciate it will be pretty hit and mixx second hand, and that the cheaper new ones aren't great. Will just be used for a series of small patches on the MG, and not to fussed abou tthe wleds looking pretty and all being perfect first time - more of a thing to play with and make the best of.
Have seen some reasonable mightymigs and some other brnad on ebay, but again stuck between the gasless (cheaper and buy new) or gas (easier to get good welds, but cost a little more for the full setup). Willl only be for occasional light hobby use.
Thanks, Duncan
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Try to buy a Cebora/BOC/Snap-On Pocket Turbo 130. Try not to buy anything else at this price point. They are well made - by a brand known for its quality welding kit, not its about average everything, reliable, easy to get parts for - though a bit dearer than the cheaper ones and work well. Hobby weld will supply a decent sized bottle of gas rent free and a cheap auto mask and gauntlets will get you going. £250 ish should over that lot including the deposit on the bottle. Anything else and you'll be very disappointed in my view. Loads of info on www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/index.php
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It's not the neatness of weld that's the problem with cheap/knackered migs (and even a new cheap mig is only a bit of work away from being knackered) it's wire feed issues mainly, believe me once you've spent a couple of hours pratting around sorting wire jams and feed issues just to do a small bit of welding that should have taken a few minutes you soon appreciate why cheap migs are a false economy.
I had a very cheap mig made by sip, it was curse word, no power at low power settings to be able to lay a continuous weld and at higher setting just blew holes in panels, all the usual cheap mig problems, lack of graduated power adjustments meant either pigeon poo or holes.
I eventually chucked that in to garden and had a clarke blue 90A proish mig, much better but still cheap internals and the wire feed wore out quickly and it used to jam all the time, total pain, also still not enough adjustment on power, it was cheap but I should have learnt my lesson. Sold that to another poor sod thinking cheap migs were a good idea and bought the following.
It's a clarke again, red one this time, 130A from memory and their more pro range, very adjustable, lots of power if it's needed, nice torch (not euro sadly but it's not an expensive welder) good feed system. Had that for a year now, I bought it used and it's fantastic, it can do gas or gasless I use it with gas as I don't like gasless, will weld chassis thickness steel down to thin body panels no probs, will even weld thick angle iron with good penetration.
I think those new are circa £250ish, but I picked mine up used for about £100, it included a pub bottle of CO2, I use a cheap (£20ish) auto mask now, but to be honest a manual one isn't much of a hardship for around £5-10.
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dunk11
Part of things
Posts: 156
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Apr 26, 2013 12:33:40 GMT
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OK, thanks all for the advice!!! Will keep an eye out for one of the recommended ones cheap enough used, or wait and get a new one in a couple of months. Need to stop buying car bits and buy tools for a couple of months...
Sounds like you got a good deal then pistonbroke
Have been reading a bit of the welding forum to, but so much conflicting advice and I feel a lot of the people are along the professional side more than an idiot in an old absestos garage playing with a rusty old car (me!)
Thanks again!!
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m1keh
Part of things
Posts: 278
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Apr 26, 2013 12:37:50 GMT
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Cebora/Snap On are very good kit, but Clarke and Sealey are good for the money round the 130-150 amp range. They all wear out though, so it does depend on how much use and how much maintenance they've had.
I have a 20+ year old snap-on pro mig - not selling, just as an example. It was cheap-ish to buy and with a massive gas bottle and regulator included, but I spent £80 converting to a Euro torch. Welds nicely now, but overall you tend to get what you pay for.
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Last Edit: Apr 26, 2013 12:38:24 GMT by m1keh
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v1xz
Part of things
i'm retro
Posts: 661
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Apr 27, 2013 20:26:07 GMT
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Hi Duncan, Sorry for the late reply. Pictures below:
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1998 Merc E240 1997 BMW 728i 1998 VW Passat 2000 Kangoo 1999 Transit LWB 1999 Matiz SE 2001 Clio 1998 Golf GTi 1996 Ford Luton.... Retired.... Want a Motorbike... Got one... Yamaha WR125X... Missed RR sooo much... 1983 Porsche 944 1997 Celica 2000 Clio 1993 MR2 1992 MR2T 1989 325i Touring
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