Which Hobby MIG to Buy???

[Haze]

is there a half decent hobby welder for £250 or less that has a euro torch?

cant seem to find one but im quite interested in clarke 160/175 models.

 

[weldequip]

You need to go up to the 230TE Clarke model to get a Euro-Torch. I wouldn't worry too much, the Clarke torches are the best quality of the lot in their price range, and a lot of manufacturers use a Euro-Torch as a sales gimmick.
weldequip

 

[Haze]

so im right in assuming the 160 is capable enough to be useful, the migmate i have at the moment welds fine, but I dont like the power selection and the wire feed is well ****ty.

 

[weldequip]

Yes good little set the 160, sold shed loads of them and had virtually no problems.
weldequip

 

[Justme]

Dont know if these are any good but seems a good price.

Justme

 

[weldequip]

Another box mover
Try asking em a question, like "does that model have a two plate Rectifier or four plate?"!!
weldequip

 

[Justme]

Lol yeh they NEVER respond to questions on the pucka web site.

OK what is the difference between two & four & the first person to say 2 is going to have LOTs of rusty wire.

Justme

PS have a 2 plate one on the table as I type that I have just taken out of my old welder (autoplus 120) but I think it was from some thing else as a mate in the trade (years ago) got it for me out of his van one day. Has CF 30 B on it & is made up of 8 diodes (7 x T9A19-5 & 1 x T8M14-5) with a capacitor (VZC 095)

 

[weldequip]

Lol yeh they NEVER respond to questions on the pucka web site.

So they don't deserve any business then do they!

A four plate rectifier would provide a better heat sink than a two plate but it all depends on the diodes fitted to the plates; the diodes above only provide
71 amps for a 120 amp machine!
weldequip

 

[Justme]

Er I take it that thats not normal. Funny as I have done some quite thick stuff with it too. In fact LOTS of thick stuff as well as lots of cars.

Justme

 

[weldequip]

No, it's normal on cheaper machines. Under specced components on over marketed machines!
weldequip

 

[Justme]

So they lied about it being a 120 amp welder then? Buggers.Time someone made a cheap tester. How would you test for low output on a welder that came in?

Will have to take a look inside my new one to see what it has.

Justme

 

[bruces]

what exactly is meant by the term "hobby mig" is it just a lowered powered machine thats generally used for home fabrications etc,i didnt realise that clarke were a quality brand i always thought they were more of a budget item.do snap on use their own brand or just rebadge someone elses?

 

[weldequip]

So they lied about it being a 120 amp welder then? Buggers.Time someone made a cheap tester. How would you test for low output on a welder that came in?

Will have to take a look inside my new one to see what it has.

Justme

They will still punch out 120amps max, that is down to the windings on the transformer, but the rectifier is rated at just 70 odd amps so I'm surprised it's lasted as long as it has and it will probably be bloody awful on high settings?!
weldequip

 

[weldequip]

what exactly is meant by the term "hobby mig" is it just a lowered powered machine thats generally used for home fabrications etc,i didnt realise that clarke were a quality brand i always thought they were more of a budget item.do snap on use their own brand or just rebadge someone elses?

In referring to Hobby Mig we mean just that, small sets used for hobby, home use. The mainstrean manufacturers of hobby machines also make larger models, ie.Sealey, SIP, Clarke etc. Clarke are not a true quality brand (you need to move up to almost twice the price range for that) but, in my humble opinion are the best quality out of the 'mainstream' manufacturers.
Snap-On machines are re-badged Ceboras & you could have a Portamig for less money which will knock their socks off!
weldequip

 

[Justme]

Ah explains why I had to change the original then. But then I did have a 6 inch fan in the front & a wopping (about 8inch) fan cut into the side to keep it all cool (well before they started to fit em to cheaper welders). Lasted much longer till it cut out but took much longer to cool down enough to come back on even with the fans still running.

It does say "Abuser of tools & equip" on my profile...

Justme

PS new welder has a temp controled fan which is nice

 

[bruces]

are portamigs the bespoke machines that you spoke of in another thread? how do they compare to brands such as murex in terms of cost and performance?

 

[weldequip]

Yep, custom made to order, few of the forum members have em. They out-perform most & cost less than you may think.
weldequip

 

[bruces]

id like to upgrade sometime when i get a bit more competant !!!! do they do a model which is suitable for frequent home use as opposed to heavy commercial? i currently have a sip170 which i bought s/h to play with till i get better at welding!! what sort of figure are you looking at for something like if you dont mind me asking? also do they use a euro torch as thats what they use at work wink wink

 

[weldequip]

Around £500 mark for a 20-185amps machine with Euro-Torch. Proper kit with proper spec. PM me for full specification as & when you are ready to upgrade.
weldequip

 

[bruces]

ok thanks i will