MIG welders; WTF?

[Fry]

Hoping some of the wiser heads can steer me in the right direction. Looking at getting a MIG, but just don't know what features to look for. I want it to be the kind of thing I buy once and won't need to upgrade in a few years.

Mainly using it for manifold fabrication and pipe tacking, so I won't be building trailers with it constantly. Anyone bought one that they're happy with?

[Flash]

I have a 220amp migomag. Look as a cig weld, they are fairly good at a good price. Always buy one a little bigger than you need as you will use it!! I paid 2200 for mine 10 yrs ago when I was welding panel steel and the occational piece of 3mm. I ended up welding 10 - 15mm plate a lot more than I planned. The other thing is you may need to look at the power supply to the house if you decide to do real heavy stuff. We had to get the power company to put us on a less used phase as I couldn't get enough current to weld the heavier stuff. I bought the biggest single phase unit I could, 3 phase would have been better but your limited where you can use it if you say need to help a mate weld a fence etc.

[megahead]

you can get a 3 in one mig/tig/arc single phase welder now for a round
2 grand (i think dont quote me) i can give you the details of where if your interested. let me know and i will pm the details :)
opps make that around $3300 inc gst :oops:

[Muzzard]

When buying a welder and a MIG in particular you must take into consideration the duty cycle of the unit.
This will be explained at the point of sale, or should be.
You are in need of a welder with at least a 60% Duty cycle.
Therefore I would be looking at the single phase units with a capacity of around 160-200 amps.
This will let you weld thin material like donuts and tinware, through to 10mm plate with very good results...
Wire diameter should be able to feed 0.8/0.9mm and able to weld alloy too with a liner and gas bottle change.
Should be in the ballpark of $1400-2000 depending on brand and reputation.
Lincoln are good units as are Ausmig...

[Flash]

Miging alloy is shit. It's never as strong. It's OK for decoration though

[Muzzard]

Nothing wrong with MIG welding alloy Ash.
It will always tear/snap next to the weld anyway.
For what was described as the use, it would be fine.
We aren't seaming APC's mate.
It was just a hint for someone who wants to buy a welder.
If they know they can make up their own catch bottles, sumpguards, etc all the better. Certainly strong enough for that...
All the alloy transformer enclosures made for Schneider Electric seem to be damn fine too, all welded with a MIG...
TJM will root you too if they see this,
How do you think they join all their alloy components, 4WD roofracks, and bullbars etc, Its too labour intensive/read expensive to TIG large components or repetitous work, unless the specification require it.

[mr_tyreman]

I've got a unimig 200, great machine can lay some fat beads down, my old mate has a migomag 195, that was better for smaller jobs. but nowhere near the grunt of mine... his did get into smaller spaces with the smaller torch, but he was constantly dipping the torch in anti spatter goo, and changing the tips... i just checking that the wire feed screw is tight and the cables are all done up tight.

[Muzzard]

I had a Unimig 275 until someone liked it better than I did and cut open my container in Wagga a few years back :roll:

[WOOLO]

What wire are you going to use ? I have a Lincoln 170 machine that is fine for what I do and has the capability to run reverse polarity when you use gasless wire and gives top results.Had it about 10 years now with no problems.Check out Kempe machines as well they have a top little inverter unit that will do 5mm material all day and is well priced,weighs fuck all and is compact.If you do weld alloy a little pre heat will make life easier on a smaller machine.

[Muzzard]

Original thread is quite old WOOLO just been refreshed by Tyreman.

[jmcd]

Damn those refreshing threads I was reading and about ready to respond!!!!

[mr_tyreman]

hahaha my bad.

i have a job interview with Migomag tomorrow...wish me luck

[Muzzard]

Good Luck,
I want your very best price on a new MigoMag 275 OK :lol:

[mr_tyreman]

hahaha no probs man

[MrGump]

I bought a MIG170P from BOC. Excellent all rounder and have had good results from welding rondo sections together to welding 50x50mm galv posts to 6mm retaining wall I-beams. Has plenty of guts to handle 10mm plate. I paid $1200.

[jmcd]

I got a little Sears craftman welder and with the right prep and passes you can weld just about everthing ! I only paid like 200 bucks! Had it for about 4 years , biggest structural projects , complete motorcycle frame , air bagged truck frame from cab back new metal with a huge notch . Slams and drags on the freeway over bumps at 75 mph without a problem yet . Those are just the most potentionally dangerouse things.