MIG welder?

[chris44]

Any advise on buying a MIG welder ie power, make, value for money, price will cosider secondhand as long as its fairly new.
Main uses bike parts fabrication, car panel/bodywork repairs. DIY stuff I'm not opening a garage!!

[uber pikey]

I have had a few over the years and my ten penth is to make sure it's gas, stay away from gasless. The more you pay the better it is especially when doing panel welds or fine tack stuff. It will take you a while to get used to any welder but my option is with Clarke and machine mart is a good place to start if you want new otherwise fleabay but not without trying first.

[john boy]

have to agree there dont bother with gasless mig friend has one alwasys problems and i think wire is pricey compared to normal mig
2nd clarke and machine mart had my clarke welder absolutely years worked fine think it needs new wire liner well what you expect after 20+ years
thats something to check if buying second hand
also get a turbo model (fan cooled )if can afford

hope that helps

[johnr]

avoid gasless, theyre worse than useless. spend a few quid on a decent solar headshield. ive a clarke from machine mart, only a little one but it does what i need it to do. try to get a regulator to allow you to use co2 pub bottles, them disposable ones are bloody expensive. ive a reg that allows me to use pub bottles, (tenner to refil) or redundant co2 fire extinguishers. i keep a couple of small disposable bottles of argon for when i want to weld stainless steel, but for mild steel i tend to use co2, its sooooooo much cheaper.

[chris44]

thanks chaps well she asked what do you want for xmas so its either a welder or an exhaust and thats £500 - that will be MY treat cheers

[nokatanayet]

thanks chaps well she asked what do you want for xmas so its either a welder or an exhaust and thats £500 - that will be MY treat cheers

be very nice to the wife and she might buy you both

[chris44]

always nice to my wife shes lovely but you should always keep something in reserve!!!

[Katman]

always nice to my wife shes lovely but you should always keep something in reserve!!!

For Chris-sakes mate don't let her read that