MIG welder recommendations

[pauldvern]

I am getting rather fed up of my old SIP migmate 150, it's getting more inconsistent every time I use it and getting through a ton of gas.

Can anyone recommend the best welder to replace it with? The power is OK, I just need something that can actually produce a consistently decent weld.


Cheers


Paul

[sladey]

I also started with a SIP and a couple of years ago upgraded to a portamig 185 which is fantastic. It just works every time. Gary on here has one as well and also sings their praises

https://www.weldequip.com/portamig-mig-welders.htm

[Gary71]

What he said. Can't blame my tools any more!

[stretch]

What he said again.

[pauldvern]

Well that sounds good I'll check them out.


Cheers


Paul

[Bruce M]

Have you serviced the welder recently? New contact tip & torch liner, for example. Unless you have a leak, turning down the regulator will sort the gas consumption.

We all love new tools but sometimes the old ones just need a little tlc

[Andy m.]

I've just bought a Gys smartmig 162, very nice bit of kit, sensible price too, also have a sip150 new in the box, never used, (unwanted gift) that I'll let go cheap!

[911-356 dave]

Hi
I would recommend a Cebora or Murex tradesmig.
Dave

[jamie]

GYS 162 with proper gas. I love it.

[MonkeyChap]

Hello,

I haven't welded anything in donkeys years, but thinking of buying a MIG. Is it worth getting one that goes down to 15/20 amps for bodywork ? I've read conflicting reports about it being either essential for bodywork steel or actually being a gimmick and resulting in no penetration. Any views ? The lower current machines seem quite a bit more expensive and I'm not going to be doing too much work.

Ta

Ian

[stuby]

I am getting rather fed up of my old SIP migmate 150, it's getting more inconsistent every time I use it and getting through a ton of gas.

Can anyone recommend the best welder to replace it with? The power is OK, I just need something that can actually produce a consistently decent weld.


Cheers


Paul

A good service should sort it out......

Stu

[Loz]

Hello,

I haven't welded anything in donkeys years, but thinking of buying a MIG. Is it worth getting one that goes down to 15/20 amps for bodywork ? I've read conflicting reports about it being either essential for bodywork steel or actually being a gimmick and resulting in no penetration. Any views ? The lower current machines seem quite a bit more expensive and I'm not going to be doing too much work.

Ta

Ian

Penetration is relative to the thickness and condition of the metal to be welded to. Therefore low amps is very useful for thin / fragile metal. It's not actually how much work you have to do, rather than the type of work you want to do. You need to have the low amp facility if you want to work on thin stuff. Look at the Portamig which has a good amp range. Not the cheapest, but you get what you pay for and will resell a quality machine easily.

Hth
Loz

[jpinhorn]

What ever you look at make sure it has a euro torch connection rather than a fixed mini mig gun. Thats the bit that really lets down the smaller migs. Having a good torch is half the battle. If it has a binzel torch even better.
The reason the mini migs are a bit crap is the wire feed motor isnt big enough and you end up with poor welds as the current is partly contolled by arc lenth and they cannot keep a constant wire speed so you end up with spatter and uneven pentration.
One with as many steps as you can get on the current contol is a good move. Cant really go wrong with murex.

[Timo]

I've got a migmate too, never been able to get a decent weld from it and since doing a bit of research on the net it seems many people have the same dissatisfaction!

I'm thinking of upgrading too.

[jpinhorn]

Some info about getting your migmate to work ok.

http://hobbymechatronics.com/projects/2 ... mig-welder