New MIG welder advice

[mirafioriman]

I'm considering buying a new MIG welder in the near future. I currently have a SIP topmig 170 turbo.

I'm looking for advice on what makes to consider. I have seen a couple of Sealey welders that look OK. What are people's opinions on these?

I'm looking for something about the 170 amp mark. With a Euro torch. On wheels and capable of carrying an industrial bottle (I have an account with BOC)

Budget? As little as possible! Although I don't have a fixed amount in mind yet.

I don't mind going secondhand if I get a better machine for my money ;D

[camerashy]

www.mig-welding.co.uk/

Bung a post on the forum. You may find the shop linked through there cheaper than most other places

[Keefy]

If you have a BOC account go see whats the best price they can do you for a Butters welder. Awesome machines, and BOC usually have a fair amount of movement in the price.

[mirafioriman]

Thanks for the advice, I am a member of the welding forum and have just posted on there. The Butters welders do look good seen a few on ebay

[Bob the Fish]

Budget's a key thing, Portamigs and stuff would be very welcome in my place but s/h Cebora 180 was more in budget for me at £140. iirc a Portamig of similar power is around 4x that.
I use an agent for Adams Gas, so no bottle rent.

[mirafioriman]

I looked at Adams gas over the summer but as there was no agent close to me it was too much hassle with couriers etc. BOC was considerably cheaper than air products though Budget I guess up to £400?

[kenb]

Well i bought my Sealey Supermig 185 back in 1993. Although not in daily use as such, I've done countless jobs with it including several restorations jobs, and apart from consumables and replacing the torch liner and wire drive, has never let me down.
I've no idea on the build quality of todays Sealeys, but they cost the same now almost as mine did back then!!

[bstardchild]

Sept 8, 2011 14:43:24 GMT mirafioriman said:

I looked at Adams gas over the summer but as there was no agent close to me it was too much hassle with couriers etc. BOC was considerably cheaper than air products though Budget I guess up to £400?

Stretch it to a Portamig............... I thought it was all hype when I joined the mig welding forum with an SIP 170 that was a crock of stuff that I needed help and advice to make into something less of a crock of stuff - I did all I could but it still wasn't that good so I sold my soul to the devil and bought a portamig - wow what a difference......

You'll have something which will last a lifetime

[ben711200]

Sept 8, 2011 15:14:36 GMT bstardchild said:

Sept 8, 2011 14:43:24 GMT mirafioriman said:

I looked at Adams gas over the summer but as there was no agent close to me it was too much hassle with couriers etc. BOC was considerably cheaper than air products though Budget I guess up to £400?

Stretch it to a Portamig............... I thought it was all hype when I joined the mig welding forum with an SIP 170 that was a crock of stuff that I needed help and advice to make into something less of a crock of stuff - I did all I could but it still wasn't that good so I sold my soul to the devil and bought a portamig - wow what a difference......

You'll have something which will last a lifetime

I can only echo this.. I pushed my budget from £300 to nearly £600.. I think the 180 amp portamig is about £550? Well worth every penny. I've had cheap welders in the past and struggled through, but after using Bruce's Portamig, I wouldn't settle for anything less. They're handmade to order by Northerners and the quality is fantastic.

Weldequip have an excellent reputation, but I found him to be a right grumpy on the phone. migtigarc in Portsmouth sell the same machines branded as MTA and I found them much more pleasant to deal with. Mr Weldequip prob just got up on the wrong side of the bed that morning

[mirafioriman]

I'm heading for a Portamig I think

Better start saving up!

[MantaA16V]

If you have a BOC account check out their offers. I have both BOC and Lincoln plants from them, both far better than Sealeys etc. and if you get one on at offer price, much better value.