What Welder?

[Grant]

Looking at getting a welder. Have done a bit in the past, but am by no means a pro...

I've decided to go down the MIG route with it all, and so far have seen this

By no means an award winning peice of kit, but for a hobbyist I would say it is adequate...
Should I purchase this I would also be getting one of these as it is a PITA holding a mask and not being able to see what your doing.


So my question is, does anyone else have a MIG that they would recommend, or used one that they thought was particularly good?
Before I shell out 2 ton on welding gear lol


Cheers

[Niall]

You fail with links/pictures!

[Grant]

How? Works fine over here...


:teasing-knob:

[Jenkosowls]

i had the same kit your looking at seemed ok for me just me that let it down haha great price for what you get. but i do recomend getting a helmet its better holding the mig with 2 hands

[Grant]

i had the same kit your looking at seemed ok for me just me that let it down haha great price for what you get. but i do recomend getting a helmet its better holding the mig with 2 hands

Yeah, going to get the auto darkening one anyways, makes life easier. What were you welding with it when you had it?

[Daniel306]

Il only go for jackson hoods, and with that welder do you know if its a crappy perm live? something that size is only really good for thin material. need to get myself a mig welder soon, have got a tig welder, cost just under 2k with a good discount

[Grant]

Il only go for jackson hoods, and with that welder do you know if its a crappy perm live? something that size is only really good for thin material. need to get myself a mig welder soon, have got a tig welder, cost just under 2k with a good discount

I am not spending 2k on a welder! lol, if it was something i was doing for a living maybe, but for a hobby and occasional use i will stick to the 2ton price limit lol.

Is that one in the picture the 2k machine?

[darrenjlobb]

The only "cheap" welders you can get away with IMO is second hand stuff, mainly arcs....but if you want it for hobby use you need a mig really for ease...


Cheap new mig's are a load of god turd and not worth buying imo....if your going to get a mig, then get a decent one....else just pay someone else to do it for you....

Imo anyway....

[Grant]

Not that I disagree Darren, but why is that? What compromises will i see with a cheap MIG?

[Harky]

I'd have to agree with Darren, friend of mine got a cheap MIG, can't remember what it was but it wasn't worth a hate. You just couldn't get a decent weld with it at all, was just jumping and sparking about all over the place. I spent a good while trying to set it up for him and it was just impossible..he sent it back and bought a bigger one...much better..you can actually weld with it!

And defo go for the auto-darkening mask, very handy to have a hand free to hold stuff etc whilst trying to get a tack or weld on it!

[Grant]

Ok thanks guys. Any particular brand or model to look for second hand?