MIG Welders, what you using?

[Jocky]

Time to treat myself to a new mig welder. Have been looking at the Clarke range and they look not bad.
My old 20yr SIP has died and it was shite anyway. Want to try the no gas wire for outside stuff, but want also to use argoshield, I'm thinking on one of the 151EN or 160EN

Getting fed up with BOC oxy/act bottle rental prices and their stupid handling charges

 

[dinky]

Bought one from aldi gasless ,does what req up to now neat finish to welds and variable ampage.

 

[tezzer]

Time to treat myself to a new mig welder. Have been looking at the Clarke range and they look not bad.
My old 20yr SIP has died and it was shite anyway. Want to try the no gas wire for outside stuff, but want also to use argoshield, I'm thinking on one of the 151EN or 160EN

Getting fed up with BOC oxy/act bottle rental prices and their stupid handling charges

im using a cebora 130 amp, same as snap-on with co2 pub gas bottle and it works perfectly, i have tried the wireless welders but they dont perform aswell, if i want to weld aluminium etc i just buy a small bottle from car shop.




tezzer

 

[BigG]

I am using an ESAB 340 with with argon 5 gas but thats not at home its at work. Don't no if that counts. I have mentioned before along time ago if any members want ote making within reason and not pipe cos have not got a pipe bender , just ask.. Big G

 

[lacroupade]

could someone translate this thread into english please? :lol:lol

 

[zippy656]

MIG Welders.

there a few few types of welders MIG TIG JIG. i "think" all the same apart from the gas they use as you weld..

but i could be wrong, as I'm relay a wood man..

 

[Terranosaurus]

MIG Welders.

there a few few types of welders MIG TIG JIG. i "think" all the same apart from the gas they use as you weld..

but i could be wrong

You are but I'll let someone more qualified on welding explain.

Like Dinky I have a cheapy Aldi one but it does the job and has a 2 or 3 yr warranty (can't remember which). Have had clark ones in the past and they are better, its a matter of control, mine has three power settings I think Dinky got one of the later Aldi ones with a knob instead of switches.

Depends what you need, for an occasional job mine does me fine but having used good three phase stuff in the past theres no comparison, if I were welding all the time I'd spend some serious wonga - but as it is I have customers who can do the odd job for me if need be.

 

[Jocky]

I'm now leaning to the 160TM gas Mig.

As the more I read on the gasless wire it is putting me off.

Never used the stuff, also been reading that its hard to see the job due to the different flame

 

[extreme-4x4]

MIG Welders.

there a few few types of welders MIG TIG JIG. i "think" all the same apart from the gas they use as you weld..

but i could be wrong, as I'm relay a wood man..

what like Pinocchio...... you got a big hooter too ?

 

[zippy656]

what like Pinocchio...... you got a big hooter too ?

its not a hooter :naughty:naughty

 

[andrewk]

could someone translate this thread into english

Great idea. I get the feeling that we might be losing out by not welding stuff.

It's ages since I tried welding - back at college, donkeys years ago, in fact. I vaguely remember the lecturer chap telling me that as a welder I'd make a great plasterer. I'm a totally crap plasterer - so maybe he was wrong. Is it time I had another shot at welding???

Cheers
Andrew

 

[lacroupade]

Honest point Andrew, last time I welded was at engineering college in the RAF in 1971 (!).........I wonder how easy it is to pick up basic welding that doesn't need gas (arc welding is it?) and what its limitations are?

 

[andrewk]

Honest point Andrew, last time I welded was at engineering college in the RAF in 1971 (!)

For me it was even earlier, 1969 I think, at what is now the University of Central Lancs in Preston (was Harris College then). I suspect that we're going to be told that stick/arc welding ain't so easy and that we should be looking at a MIG welder.

Next question - what can I weld with it? I could make a gate, I suppose - or maybe some rock sliders for the Troll instead of the sidesteps it has now - or bashplates.

Cheers
Andrew

 

[Paul]

Still use Gas as my weapon of chorce, can bend the metal to shape as I weld, not a great fan of gasless mig's as said only good for mild steel, the cost of reels for anything else is way ott.

 

[Toolbox]

Still use Gas as my weapon of chorce, can bend the metal to shape as I weld, not a great fan of gasless mig's as said only good for mild steel, the cost of reels for anything else is way ott.

I haven’t welded with gas for many years the MIG killed the gas welding, still do a fair bit of brazing with oxy, though.

Jocky,

I have an old Oxford 190 MIG in my shed running with CO2, for odd jobs at home. I prefer Argon mix for welding though, especially on thin stuff as it’s not so hot.
Still do a fair bit of stick welding at work and MIG but prefer stick on heavy jobs as it gives a far better penetration.

Would like to get a descent inverter for home though for stick welding and get a TIG set for it, the best bit is they are DC and use very little current so are happy to run a 13amp plug and also small and light.

Wouldn’t recommend a gasless MIG from what little I have used one, very poor, better to get a gas one even if you use CO2.

 

[ssteve]

mig/tig = chalk/cheese
ssteve

 

[ssteve]

GTAW=TIG
GMAW=MIG
MMA=STICK
JIG=SORT OF DANCE
ssteve

 

[Jocky]

Still use Gas as my weapon of chorce, can bend the metal to shape as I weld, not a great fan of gasless mig's as said only good for mild steel, the cost of reels for anything else is way ott.

I also prefer oxy/act welding for the reasons you mention:thumbs I will probably keep my gear but my regs etc are needing renewed and my sons want me to get a MIG so they can learn really looking forward to all the grinding etc:doh
BTW I don't know why people are scared of gas welding, its the easiest of them all:clap Nice clean welds and no holes or splatter:clap

Wouldn’t recommend a gasless MIG from what little I have used one, very poor, better to get a gas one even if you use CO2

Yes I'm staying away from the gasless stuff:thumbs Going to get a Clarke 160TM and some argoshield light.

 

[ssteve]

Still use Gas as my weapon of chorce, can bend the metal to shape as I weld, not a great fan of gasless mig's as said only good for mild steel, the cost of reels for anything else is way ott.

can't beat a flux cored and a good squirt gun for outdoor use (and for getting in tight corners)
ssteve