which mig welder

[boyo]

Hi

I want to buy a mig welder for the workshop. Im a complete novis with a mig so dont know where to start or what to get. going to use it on farm and vehicle repairs and a bif of fabrication. Any pointers

 

[tinman]

hard to know whats a good welder these days there is so many but tell you what, this might be right up your street but hurry.......
https://thefarmingforum.co.uk/index.php?threads/act-fast-new-and-ex-demo-welder-deals.246874/

 

[Bobthebuilder]

single or 3phase

 

[tinman]

and after bob's question,
what's the budget id be the next...

 

[boyo]

I have both single and three phase in the workshop

 

[boyo]

Budget - dont want to go silly. Just want something simple and easy to use

 

[Mur Huwcun]

I have both single and three phase in the workshop

Then go three phase! Single phase machines are toys once you’ve used a 3ph one! Look for an ex hire ect machine from suppliers or chance an older one second hand if you can try it first. Esab, Migatronic, Murex, Lincoln, Oxford, all are more than adequate for farm use. I’ve used them all and can’t fault them but there are a million and one other brands out there. Only thing I will say is, if you see a Tecarc machine, use it as a flipping boat anchor as it’s got no other usefull existence!!

 

[tinman]

Then go three phase! Single phase machines are toys once you’ve used a 3ph one! Look for an ex hire ect machine from suppliers or chance an older one second hand if you can try it first. Esab, Migatronic, Murex, Lincoln, Oxford, all are more than adequate for farm use. I’ve used them all and can’t fault them but there are a million and one other brands out there. Only thing I will say is, if you see a Tecarc machine, use it as a flipping boat anchor as it’s got no other usefull existence!!

tecarc make the oxford..
i wouldnt be so sure about a murex welder, i might be wrong but seeing since they are gone parts may be a problem.

 

[Mur Huwcun]

tecarc make the oxford..
i wouldnt be so sure about a murex welder, i might be wrong but seeing since they are gone parts may be a problem.

Ohh!! Well the oxford mig we had was fifty times better than the excuse of a welder the two tecarcs are!!

Didn’t know Murex had gone actually but it must be over ten years since I used one. What are actually brand soecific inside a lot of these machines? The older ones are transformer machines anyhow.

 

[Badshot]

I bought a 330amp single phase Oxford from welding supplies direct.
Reasonable money.
Basic.
Works.
3 phase would have been better, but only single phase there.

 

[fermerboy]

What sort of work are you going to be doing?
Forget Mig if it's needs to do outdoor or portable work, one of the little inverter stick jobbies is the rubbish for that.

If it's making gates out of box section that's a different game compared to welding 20ton digger buckets.
I've a single phase 220 Lincoln which I use most, and find it does most stuff I want, make barriers, weld on loader brackets, fix an exhaust. Sometimes could do with a bit more on heavy work and a bit less welding some thin crap
.
I have now got 4 welders to cover all eventualities though....

 

[boyo]

I have a small arc inverter for portable stuff. This is for more fiddly fabrication work.

 

[MrNoo]

tecarc make the oxford..
i wouldnt be so sure about a murex welder, i might be wrong but seeing since they are gone parts may be a problem.

Got 2 Murex Mig's here, had them nearly 30 years, excellent welders and there are some companies now who refurb them completely. Sometimes see them come up on Ebay 2nd hand but I suspect a newer welder will have all the gizmo's and come with a warranty!

 

[davidroberts30]

Personally i would get a inverter mig,something you can adjust the volts as well as amps
Don't forget about gas. Lucy has rent free bottles but if you use more than 2 a year it will be cheaper to get a hobby deal from BOC

 

[Cowcalf]

the modern units tend to have circuit boards which are not so keen on unheated workshops and infrequent use

 

[Nearly]

I'd be looking for a good old 3 ph unit on ebay etc and treat myself to an inverter mig if (when) I got the bug.
Have 400 amp 3 phase that cost me £200, 350 amp single that was £650 and saving up for inverter mig.

 

[Tommy]

Warrior welders, just pick the size you want. 3 phase will be better but harder to sell if you want to ever swap. www.warriorwelders.com have a word with him, he’ll know what you’ll need and get the gas saver

 

[Deutzdx3]

Jasic are very good basic machines with good warranty and duty cycle. All brands have a very budget machine which isn’t worth buying to be honest. Buy once cry once. Look to spend 1k for a welder that’ll do the work required on a farm. Nothing wrong with secondhand. Look for ex demo machine. Where are you located? Google welder supplies local to you or look on eBay.

 

[Mur Huwcun]

Curiosity killed the cat and all that but I had a look on ebay today! Some lovely ex hire and refurbed industrial machines on there for about £1500. Ideal if you want something for heavy fabrication as they come with MB36 torches etc. If you want something for fiddly work and thin steel then a single phase 180-200 amp is more than enough!

 

[Hooby Farmer]

I have a 200amp SIP inverter MIG have it about 10years it been a good buy. I bought it as a thing to get me going for a couple of years, it still does about 97% of all my work. Only had to replace a solenoid valve on it this year (parts were hard to get!) Like everyone else has said about 2nd hand industrial unit, can be bought worth the money. I picked up a 450amp esab machine for 200quid at an auction and it's a beast.