[MrRocky]

as a qualified boiler maker i find mig far superior in every way to arc.
i own a gasless mig unit and provided the surface is clean and its not super windy it gives a perfect weld every time. Invest in an auto darkening mask which will help heaps if you are just starting out. Arc really is outdated now days

[Joe]

Hey Mick did you use your gasless mig to weld the tub onto your ute?

[MrRocky]

sure did mate, the lower amp gasless migs are actually designed mainly for panel work, i couldnt imagine attempting it with an arc, even on the lowest setting i had to do about 100 little spot welds so i didnt distort the panel too much with the heat generated, i used a wet rag to cool it down between welding bursts.

[Joe]

Cool im thinking of buying one for myself insted of going to my brothers work every time i want to make/weld something

[shep]

thin stuff is easyish to weld with an inverter welder. i read somewhere that ya
swap the leads around so the + is grounded. works for me anyway.

[just_cruizin]

What's the recommendation for Mig's then. Will have 3 phase so that's not an issue, want something that's got good turn down for alfoil sierra skin and stuff up to about 5-7mm, maybe 10mm if I'm going serious.

[Fatzook]

You'd get away with a 255 single phase for that stuff Greg.

[MrRocky]

3 phase would be severe overkill, budget $400-500 for a reasonable gasless mig, just make sure you buy the flux cored wire and match the thickness to your tip (eg. i use 8-9mm for a 9mm tip) budget $150 for a decent auto darkening helmet.

[shep]

Fatzook wrote:

You'd get away with a 255 single phase for that stuff Greg.

i am thinking about a BOC 250amp mig and from memory it is 32 amp single phase.

[ajsr]

dont waste your time just save for a mig.
its what you will end up with in the end.

arc is for hillbillys and farmers
and tig is for posers or fabricators and PETE
mig is what real practical people use to get things done easily, neatly and properly

my tip is if you want ease of use panel wise, run 0.6mm wire as it allows greater flexability when running low amps. but its more expensive than 0.9mm

And if you value you eyesite dont use cheap auto darkening helmets.

[Joe]

ajsr wrote:

if you value you eyesite dont use cheap auto darkening helmets.

x2 Welding flash sux balls and arse

[royce]

MrRocky wrote:

3 phase would be severe overkill, budget $400-500 for a reasonable gasless mig, just make sure you buy the flux cored wire and match the thickness to your tip (eg. i use 8-9mm for a 9mm tip) budget $150 for a decent auto darkening helmet.

$500 doesnt buy a reasonable gasless mig and $150 sure as shit doesnt buy anything youd use if you value your eyes!!!

Inverter sticks are great, I know people who use em over a nice big mig cause they work well and are simple to do a quick weld with, most can upgrade to a DC tig setup too

[joeblow]

you need something with really good duty cycle, don't be too fussed about amps.



you will pay good dollars for something with a good duty cycle rating, but its worth it.

[Fatzook]

ajsr wrote:

arc is for hillbillys and farmers
and tig is for posers or fabricators and PETE

ajsr wrote:

my tip is if you want ease of use panel wise, run 0.6mm wire as it allows greater flexability when running low amps. but its more expensive than 0.9mm

Good tip. Also if you go for a gas/ gasless, you can run a mixed gas like argosheild light for thinner materials, and straight argosheild or CO2 for thicker materials. The argo-light runs a bit cooler and suits thinner materials better.

One other thing to be careful of, don't go too big with your mig. It may not like welding the thinner stuff then. My 170A lincoln is great on sheet, but crap on anything above 4-5mm. My 255 Lincoln is good up to 12mm (with correct weld prep) but it is VERY hard to weld under 1.2mm with it.

Pete

[just_cruizin]

That's the thing, probably look around the 220 mark for something that may cover both. I have a cheap Glenfords 150amp thing but it coughs and farts along and is a PITA. I'm not welding artist but it's like trying to paint a picture with a 4" brush, rough.

[Fatzook]

Yep 220A to 240A with a MINIMUM of a 15A power supply will get good results.

I have a 32A ponit for my 255, and it makes a massive diference to duty cycle and general performance.

[ajsr]

I run a 250 amp single phase but as posted above I run .6 wire to tone it down a little on the smaller stuff.
but as Pete has said above a dedicated circuit for your welder and also compressor make a massive difference to how they perform and their duty cycles.

[hooki]

i just got myself a uni-mig 210. seems to weld sheet metal pretty good and does great on thick steel.

For anyone in WA - I'm selling my cigweld 135 gas/gasless mig, good nik and only a few hours use. PM me if interested.

[ball]

Have a look at any BOC store for the magmate range. I have sold quite a few now and everyone seems happy with them.

http://www.bocworldofwelding.com.au/wel ... range.html

The 250 amp machine is about $1600. Sometimes they come up in the monthly specials and they can be a couple of hundred cheaper.

BOC also do a reasonably good self darkening mask for about $150. The changeover time isn't as good as a speedglas but if you aren't welding all day then they are fine.

[shandy92]

little bit of a grave dig,

im looking at buying a gasless mig welder in the near future, its main purpose will be welding tube, (sliders, front bars etc)

it wont get used very often, only a half a dozen times a yr, so i would like something cheap (less than $150-200) but gives a good strong weld, what do u recommend?

thanks
Mitch

[appsie]

i have a cigweld 170 inverter and a 250 amp magmate mig

have done a fair bit of heavier work with the mig and love it,then i capped off my half doors with the 0.9mm wire still and it was a bit much.If i ever had to do another set or any more panel work id get some .6.The mig was $1290

The little inverter is great tho even tho i have very little experience with a stick.It welds much nicer than old skool stick and was priced well at $350 from memory but hasnt been used since i got the mig i dont think.Just so much quicker and easier with mig

[rick1970]

shandy92 wrote:

little bit of a grave dig,

im looking at buying a gasless mig welder in the near future, its main purpose will be welding tube, (sliders, front bars etc)

it wont get used very often, only a half a dozen times a yr, so i would like something cheap (less than $150-200) but gives a good strong weld, what do u recommend?

thanks
Mitch

I think a 150-200 budget may be a bit optimistic for a mig.

I recently bought a Magmate 180P inverter mig from BOC for $980. I was after something compact, hence going the smaller unit over the 220/250's. Great little welder.

If you need to stay on a limited budget, look around for a decent quality s/hand stick welder. I bought a old Lincon 200amp stick welder for $30, its a fairly big/heavy unit but came with extra long heavy leads and works a whole lot better than your average $150 supercrap special things. I just need a 32amp single phase outlet to get the most outta it

A welder is one of those things that you end up using a lot more than you think you would. Buy a decent one and it will be with you a long time.

[dougies_tx5turbo]

looking at spending no more than $1000

i will be cutting guards, making front and rear bar, building a trailer, etc.
what would be the best brand i should buy?

[monley]

Migo Mag or Lincoln

[BlueSuzy]

Unimigs are ok

[hooki]

unimigs are nice.

[Fatzook]

Lincoln!!! I have 3 of them

[lump_a_charcoal]

CIGweld are good too.

[11_evl]

i have my lincoln 180sp for sale now..$800
only reason im selling is i have a kempi inverter mig from work im using
let me know

[banga]

hooki wrote:

unimigs are nice.

in what world are unimigs nice they are a terrible welder. for that price the trade tools ones are heaps better than the unimigs.
Lincoln's are always awesome cig to aren't to bad either.