Andy Dingley wrote:
On Fri, 05 Dec 2003 01:36:00 +0000, Mark S.
wrote:

Can anyone rec. a decent supplier for a mig welder and the bits and
bobs, wire, helmet etc.

Commercial welding shop. You can get nice Murexs for £500 (if you
catch a regular sale) and they're as cheap for wire and gas as
anywhere else. For less money, Partco do the Cebora range that are
good for £300-ish. Anything below that I'd be buying S/H for £50 and
saving up for a real machine. Please don't buy an SIP at any level !

Just to give a different opinion I have a SIP 130 amp MIG welder that
can be adapted to do either gas or gasless (coated wire) MIG welding
and I'm very happy with it. I had done some stick welding before but
no MIG welding, the SIP welder did all I wanted of it after just a bit
of practice and learning.

It's already paid for itself by repairing a motorcycle exhaust
collection box that would have cost around £400 to replace.

What specifically, Andy, do you object to on SIP welders?


Hats seem to get better the _less_ you pay. Actually the hats (and
headbands) turn rubbish quickly, but the lens systems are better. Get
a battery one (they last for ages and can be stored in dark sheds)
rather than solar. A standard size mounting is also useful, because
you can swap it around if you break the hat, and the consumable cover
lenses are easy to find. Adjustability of the settings isnt vital,
but it is nice. Guess who's the schmuck with a £200 Niederman that's
rubbish to use and has to have its cover lenses shipped from
Switzerland...

My cheap £69 one from Cromwell seems excellent so far, they're still
selling the same model at £90. It's 'solar' powered I'm afraid but at
that price if it dies after a year or two who cares?


I wouldn't buy anything more than magnet clamps from Machine Mart.

Having decided which SIP I wanted I just searched for the lowest price
I could find, Machine Mart weren't the cheapest.


Get a halogen floodlight and a 1/4" steel benchtop too.

Daylight is best if you can manage it but yes, otherwise, something
like that is a good idea.

--
Chris Green )