bikefright
New Member
- Messages
- 5
- Location
- Newcastle, UK
Hello folks. Like so many others, I've been lurking for around six months and only just registered on the site.
Long story short: moved from Basingstoke to Newcastle in 2011 and lost a SIP mightymig 170 in the process. Claimed on insurance and spent the money (some other things "went missing" too) on a lawn mower and a leaf blower. Don't ask! Unlike what seems like the majority of folks, I never had many problems with the SIP lump - I am obsessive about stuff, so I always used to unthread the wire back onto the reel (which I'd drill a series of 2mm holes around the edges of the spool) and poke the end through one of the holes knowing I'd be wasting six inches or so of wire next time I re-threaded. I'd then wrap it in newspaper and store it in a tupperware tub 'till next time. It used to add about ten minutes to my set-up "ritual".
I'm self taught for the most part - I did a night school course when I was about 19 as I was restoring a Triumph Spitfire. I've dabbled with a bit of arc welding. I say dabbled: I had cause to repair an exhaust manifold on both a VW golf and a Toyota Supra which was a complete bas**** as I remember due to the turbocharger. It was a baptism of fire the first time round; I remember grinding out the crack multiple times having failed to maintain an arc for the duration of the run. Even with the SIP, MIG welding was much easier for a novice like me.
Anyway, (now don't laugh) I am now looking to pick up a new (to me) MIG for some general welding projects: I have a sack barrow that has seen better days which will be my starter for ten, moving on to my log splitter for which I intend to build some wrap-around tables and the piece de la resistance......some garden plant supports. Stop laughing!
I will post separately in the wanted section but I have a budget of between £300 and £400 so I am looking (as I did with my last unit) to buy used. Must be 240v, named brand (ideally Topmig, R-Tech or similar) and for my price range I know this is only going to buy me something from lower down the range. I already have a blue commando 16amp feed in the garage consumer unit.
Having trolled the for sale and wanted forums for a while I recently saw that Malcolm had a Topmig 181 which is probably my ideal ball-park spec. I've PM'd him so I'll see if he gets back to me .
All the best,
Rowland.
Long story short: moved from Basingstoke to Newcastle in 2011 and lost a SIP mightymig 170 in the process. Claimed on insurance and spent the money (some other things "went missing" too) on a lawn mower and a leaf blower. Don't ask! Unlike what seems like the majority of folks, I never had many problems with the SIP lump - I am obsessive about stuff, so I always used to unthread the wire back onto the reel (which I'd drill a series of 2mm holes around the edges of the spool) and poke the end through one of the holes knowing I'd be wasting six inches or so of wire next time I re-threaded. I'd then wrap it in newspaper and store it in a tupperware tub 'till next time. It used to add about ten minutes to my set-up "ritual".
I'm self taught for the most part - I did a night school course when I was about 19 as I was restoring a Triumph Spitfire. I've dabbled with a bit of arc welding. I say dabbled: I had cause to repair an exhaust manifold on both a VW golf and a Toyota Supra which was a complete bas**** as I remember due to the turbocharger. It was a baptism of fire the first time round; I remember grinding out the crack multiple times having failed to maintain an arc for the duration of the run. Even with the SIP, MIG welding was much easier for a novice like me.
Anyway, (now don't laugh) I am now looking to pick up a new (to me) MIG for some general welding projects: I have a sack barrow that has seen better days which will be my starter for ten, moving on to my log splitter for which I intend to build some wrap-around tables and the piece de la resistance......some garden plant supports. Stop laughing!
I will post separately in the wanted section but I have a budget of between £300 and £400 so I am looking (as I did with my last unit) to buy used. Must be 240v, named brand (ideally Topmig, R-Tech or similar) and for my price range I know this is only going to buy me something from lower down the range. I already have a blue commando 16amp feed in the garage consumer unit.
Having trolled the for sale and wanted forums for a while I recently saw that Malcolm had a Topmig 181 which is probably my ideal ball-park spec. I've PM'd him so I'll see if he gets back to me .
All the best,
Rowland.
