Looking to buy first welder

[L2wis]

Hello all,

Signed up on here a few days ago but not posted anything yet. Been reading the guides and come to the conclusion my welding will have to be an outdoor venture so arc welder or gasless mig. My shed is used for woodworking so a no go for a gas welder.

I seen some recommendations on the forums for the Clarke 90en, are there any other good beginner migs? I seen machine mart sell a brand new Clarke gasless mig -
MIG102NG https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/clarke-mig102ng-90amp-no-gas-mig-welder/

Does anyone have any experience with this welder?

My other thought is going for a cheap arc welder and see if I get the bug?

I don't see myself welding anything thicker than 2 - 3mm and want to use a standard 16A socket.

I'm in Market Harborough which is near Leicester and wouldn't mind traveling 20 miles.

Lewis.

 

[gaz_moose]

you can still use a mig welder setup for shielding gas outdoors. I do it all the time.

 

[L2wis]

Hi chaps, both versions of budget: first was less than £100 actual budget probably £150 max. I don't see myself welding stuff weekly so thought best stay away from gas because of the costs associated. I'm not that fussed if the welds look messy/untidy as long as its strong because I'm only intending on making hobby projects like geocache boxes, goKarts that kinda stuff.

 

[Tom Orrow L]

Stick is the way to go with £150 budget, you won't get much of MIG for £150 but you'll get yourself a decent stick set for it.

Theres an old Messer/ EWM Pico 140 on ebay going for around £100 at the moment, maybe offer him £150 for it delivered?

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Welcome.

Don't forget to allow for a decant mask/helmet and the usual PPE stuff in your budget - sore/damaged eyes are no fun.

 

[L2wis]

Do you guys think it's worth considering a cheap stick welder initially to see how i get on? I certainly won't be turning on a welder without safety equipment .

Is something like this completely useless? link: http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Clearance/d50/Power+Tools/sd3150/SIP+Weldmate+T140P+Welder/p23664

I think i found the pico 140, is it this one? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tig-stick...243167?hash=item3f5c1b75df:g:kpkAAOSwL7VWtfwz I didn't realise some welders can double as both stick and TIG welders! Sounds £££ though! What other equipment would I need to purchase if I was to try and strike a deal with the pico chap? Earth lead and the lead that clamps onto the rod?

 

[Tom Orrow L]

Thats the one, its a simple lift TIG function not a fully functional TIG set.
You'd need a set of welding leads that'd cost you about £20 delivered.

Thats all you'd need along with your rods.

 

[L2wis]

Cool, thanks for your help! The seller said he'd like to let the auction run its course so I guess I'll just have to wait and see!

 

[gaz1]

theres a difference between mig and arc i have both prefer to use the mig than the arc due to nerves kicking in and stick goes all over the place

if was buying a mig dont go below 150 is my advice as gives much better choice to weld from 90 is just way to low

and at 150.00 i think your looking more at a second hand machine thats if it works correctly the thing with migs its either gasless or gas both cost are different and both have there uses

 

[L2wis]

Hi chaps, what would the general opinion on this welder be: http://www.sipuk.co.uk/sip-05741-weldmate-t141p-arc-welder.html

 

[Tom Orrow L]

New SIP welders are best to be avoided imo. They're not the quality that they used to be.

 

[L2wis]

Ah okay, I missed an old (red) one on ebay that looked pretty good so thats a shame. I'm still watching that PICO 140 that's on ebay so fingers crossed it stays within budget but I'm not holding my breath on that.

 

[skotl]

Have you tried stick welding? I had a £40 arc welder, then a second hand bigger one, and I couldn't get the hang of either of them. Clearly, it's just me cos lots of people can do it no problem but don't be surprised if you find it difficult to get to grips with.

 

[L2wis]

Nope! I've never done any welding!! I'm ready for a steep learning curve

 

[Jim Davey]

It's not that hard with a reasonable set and good rods. A bad set and bad rods will have you cursing and throwing things around the shop faster than you can say "I wish I'd asked for a demo first!"

 

[L2wis]

I gather from info thats been provided that a DC inverter type arc welder would be a better move than a little £50 transformer jobbie.

 

[Jim Davey]

Just a bit

 

[skotl]

It's not that hard with a reasonable set and good rods. A bad set and bad rods will have you cursing and throwing things around the shop faster than you can say "I wish I'd asked for a demo first!"

I gather from info thats been provided that a DC inverter type arc welder would be a better move than a little £50 transformer jobbie.

Just a bit

Indeed. What I didn't add was that replacing the £40 unit and the ~£100 unit with a £950 R-Tech suddenly meant I could stick-weld!
I'm sure it's much easier without spending that kind of money, tho

 

[cumbriasteve]

I gather from info thats been provided that a DC inverter type arc welder would be a better move than a little £50 transformer jobbie.

Yes and no

I would never advise buying a buzz box over an inverter, there is simply no comparison in ease of use and portability..but.

A used buzz box can often be bought for £20 or thereabouts, with a decent quality rod that will give it's owner a chance to learn arc welding, repair things and even make a bit of spare cash.

That's how I started and perhaps I was one of the lucky one's who took to it better than others but I never really found any difficulty using the machine, I owned it for 30+ years and made a lot of money out of it and over the years it would have really been a lot.

I bought an inverter 5 years ago, the plans at the time required transporting it around a lot so it made sense.

So if you are certain you wish to weld with arc and continue doing so in the future then buy an inverter but don't turn your nose up if you are offered a cheapie to play with.

 

[skotl]

Anyone close to L2wis (Leicestershire) who could give him a shot on MIG or ARC?