12 replies to this topic

[nordicmini]

Hi thinking about a new welder a mig inverter welder what would you  recommend thanks

[bikewiz]

I'm in the US and have one of these  https://www.weldersu...cW1004401Fabric

My advice would be buy the most powerful you can afford with the highest amperage 100% duty cycle.

[nicklouse]

to be honest you will do better to link to some that you are looking at as we have no idea as to what you have access to.

 

but a Mig with plenty of power and that can take a big gas bottle.

[Magneto]

I say it depends on what you're gonna weld, if all you're doing is Mini sheetmetal, you don't need a big high powered welder, one that uses gas is preferred tho over those that use flux core wire, and a Miig for sure.

 

That said, even tho the lower end welders have low duty cycles, in truth you won't be welding long continuous beads on sheetmetal anyway, so it's less of an issue. Also, don't buy the cheapest thing out there, rather move up a couple of notches and get one with a better torch that it's easy to find consumables for.

 

If you're gonna be welding up a rotisserie or other thicker stuff then you'll probably need a better unit

[cal844]

Sealey Supermig 180 is all we use. It's welded repair panels and also subframes(for strength)

Here's a link to the above welder

https://www.amazon.c...8233&th=1&psc=1


Have a look on eBay or Gumtree, the welder we bought was brand new(guy used it twice) came with gas, reels of wire, a BOC mask and spare tips and lenses. Was very cheap lol

Edited by cal844, 03 April 2018 - 08:24 AM.

[28hodge]

There is a mig welding forum thats very helpful, and a lot of the people on there use their welders for car bodywork so if thats what you are after they will steer you right. I got a new welder last year, after i asked on the mig welding forum and they steered m to this.

 

https://www.weldequi...eld-xte171c.htm

 

My brother is a fabrication welder by trade and he was up over xmas and did some welding and patching on my car with it as well as welding up seat sub frames etc and he said it was very good. I am not a fabrication welder, but i can weld pretty well with this, certaily better than i could with some cheaper hobby welders i had used.

[Homersimpson]

Personality always liked my old Clarke TE150.

It welds thing steel really well and can do the occasional bit of thick (3mm plus) when needed.

Before you spend a lot of money on a machine see if you can try it out.

[r3k1355]

Personality always liked my old Clarke TE150.
 

 

This, the Clarke 150 and 151 are great welders and rated well for domestic use.

[DomCr250]

There is a mig welding forum thats very helpful, and a lot of the people on there use their welders for car bodywork so if thats what you are after they will steer you right. I got a new welder last year, after i asked on the mig welding forum and they steered m to this.

 

https://www.weldequi...eld-xte171c.htm

 

My brother is a fabrication welder by trade and he was up over xmas and did some welding and patching on my car with it as well as welding up seat sub frames etc and he said it was very good. I am not a fabrication welder, but i can weld pretty well with this, certaily better than i could with some cheaper hobby welders i had used.

Thats good value for money - will take a big 15Kg spool and has a decent wire feed ...well known make too so should last and last.

[EasterBern]

I had a Clarke Mig 110 for 20 years, always used it gasless and was really good (blue range). 

 

When it broke I replaced it with a Clarke 160 (cheaper red range). It had 4 power settings, but what I really needed for welding the mini was somewhere between 2 of the settings (one setting blew holes, the other wasn't powerful enough). This wasn't a great welder!

 

I haven't bought a new one yet, but the reviews for this one look good:

 

https://www.ebay.co....984.m1436.l2649

 

It needs a 16A supply, but can be used from a 13A supply if you don't want the full 180, and I'm sure you won't on a Mini!

 

That one listed above ( https://www.weldequi...eld-xte171c.htm ) looks good, but I don't have a lot of room and so for me size is an important consideration

[Magneto]

I have a Clark 110, probably had it for 30 years now, still does the job and never had an issue with it, even welding 1/4" stuff......if this is just for one resto, you don't need to spend big bux (pounds, sorry) but if you're buying one for long term use, go up a little in price and get a better welder.

[ACDodd]

By a professional unit.

https://www.r-techwe...-tech-i-mig180/

Ac

[Archived2]

By a professional unit.
https://www.r-techwe...-tech-i-mig180/
Ac

Looks very good for the price