Is this a decent beginners MIG Welder?

WydRyd · 12-19-2007, 02:51 PM

Guys, I'm after a cheap MIG welder for my garage so I can practise and learn welding.

Can you please advise me whether this is a decent unit for a beginner such as myself? I'll be primarily using it to weld mild / stainless steels. I've seen them sell anywhere inbetween $250-$300, which is right in my budget.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270197300352&ssPageName=MERCOSI_VI_ROSI_PR4_PCN_BIX_Stores&refitem=270196095991&itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=closed_view_item&refwidgettype=osi_widget

They are a Chinese brand (JIALI). If I bought one, I'd make sure I'd order it with a lot of extra liners, tips, nozzles, tip holders and insulators at the time because it may be difficult to get them later.

I looked at the CIGWELD 165 units too, but they are over $800 here. Way out of my budget. I just want something to experiment and learn on.

Thanks in advance

herman maire · 12-19-2007, 02:59 PM

I cant comment on the welder your looking at but my brother and I both restored cars that needed a ton of welding and all we used was a $500 Lincoln mig welder 120V on sale for $390. It had the gas hook up also .

It still welds AWSOME. 1/4 inch flat plate is as big as you would want to go though.

WydRyd · 12-19-2007, 03:03 PM

Thanks for your feedback. I will only be using it to weld mild and stainless steel exhaust and intake tubing... nothing thick at all.

I was just wondering if the specifications look OK?

notfarnow · 12-19-2007, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by herman maire

I cant comment on the welder your looking at but my brother and I both restored cars that needed a ton of welding and all we used was a $500 Lincoln mig welder 120V on sale for $390. It had the gas hook up also .

It still welds AWSOME. 1/4 inch flat plate is as big as you would want to go though.

+1 on the lincoln

I got a Loncoln 140c about two months ago and I just love it. 120v, continuous settings for wire speed & voltage. It's my first welder and I'm having too much fun.

They're cheap in the US, I think I've seen them for ~500 on ebay

MT930 · 12-19-2007, 03:26 PM

You may not get the results you are looking for. Those units don't have very stable arcs. You may be better off with a Miller or Lincoln with shielding gas, look for a used one to fit your budget. Finding parts quickly will be easier. Better welds less frustration Miller 140 is a good unit that would do most every thing you would need for a P- car. I have a 210 to big to much juice for sheet metal. you really get what you pay for. Buy a used one for half of new. Lincoln makes good ones as well.

http://www.millerwelds.com/products/mig/

WydRyd · 12-19-2007, 03:35 PM

MT930, thanks for your feedback.

Curious, how do you know by looking at the specs that the unit doesn't have a very stable arc? I'm not trying to contradict you here, but I just want to know for my own information as I research my options.

Cheers!

Zeke · 12-19-2007, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WydRyd

MT930, thanks for your feedback.

Curious, how do you know by looking at the specs that the unit doesn't have a very stable arc? I'm not trying to contradict you here, but I just want to know for my own information as I research my options.

Cheers!

Being a current (no pun there, huh?) welding student. I have to say he's right. It's what they use inside. Technology has brought the prices down for cheap utility welders, but infinite control is what you're after. The finer the adjustments and the better the circuitry, the easier is is to weld.

I have a Lincoln 135 "tapped" machine and I'd about give it away. I can go into school and weld like a pro and come home and struggle. Then, when you get to use one of those machines that thinks for you as you weld, you are spoiled forever. That is until you go to buy one. $$$$$$$$$!!!

Stay away from econo machines is all I can say.

rfuerst911sc · 12-19-2007, 04:17 PM

Unless I missed it the ad is not for a true mig welder it is for a wire feed welder. I don't see any regulators for the shielding gas so it appears it is setup for use with flux cored wire. Plus I don't like the idea of a 90 day warranty................what are they afraid of

You don't say where you are located but I suggest you look for a better quality unit. Miller,Hobart,Century,Lincoln are names that have a solid reputation as quality units that should give long service life. And look to buy locally from someone that can help you with questions,parts,service,accessories etc. Good luck.

MT930 · 12-19-2007, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milt

Being a current (no pun there, huh?) welding student. I have to say he's right. It's what they use inside. Technology has brought the prices down for cheap utility welders, but infinite control is what you're after. The finer the adjustments and the better the circuitry, the easier is is to weld.

I have a Lincoln 135 "tapped" machine and I'd about give it away. I can go into school and weld like a pro and come home and struggle. Then, when you get to use one of those machines that thinks for you as you weld, you are spoiled forever. That is until you go to buy one. $$$$$$$$$!!!

Stay away from econo machines is all I can say.

He is right the harbor freight and alike look like hammered out beer cans once you open them up. The components are what ever they get their hands on China. Go to a local welding store a ask them if you can demo a small 120V machine you will notice a difference right away. With parts you are always in the middle of a project when you need wire, gas, tips, or parts for the welder. most local shops stock it all. These cheap machines turn a lot people off to welding. Like anything else a quality tool always is more enjoyable.

greglepore · 12-19-2007, 04:44 PM

No. I had an inexpensive Chinese welder (Harbor Freight) and while it could be made to work, the torch and wire feed were total crap. The power supply was ok, even w/ the limited adjustibility, but every wire change was a major pita, and with a mig you'll inevitably birds nest wire and need to refeed. I mean cheap torch-no switch, just two exposed metal contacts, no real wire liner blah blah. It was a nice power supply for 200 bucks tho.

Just went out and bought a Miller 180-about 4x the cost of the HF unit, and about 100x more usable.

A guy with the kind on money you've dumped into various turbo permutations shouldn't even think about it.Get a real mig and be done with it once.

WydRyd · 12-19-2007, 04:44 PM

Hmmm, you guys have almost convinced me to invest in a CIGWeld or Miller unit... just need to save the extra $$$ I suppose. I do want a quality "beginners unit" so I can get started pretty quickly.

Curious, how long does it typically take for someone to learn to MIG weld relatively well enough to produce quality, clean welds? I know practise makes perfect, but as a general rule of thumb?

legion · 12-19-2007, 04:51 PM

Lincoln, Miller, ESAB, or Hobart. Don't buy anything else.

berettafan · 12-19-2007, 06:41 PM

check out www.weldingweb.com for some expert insight.

i am one seriously cheap bastard but dropped the coin for a Miller 140 and am happy i did so.

keep in mind that SS is, IIRC, typically done with Tig machines. in Mig you will have a different gas for SS (vs. mild steel) as well.

i'll tell you this much for sure: once you own a welder the whole world is a broken steel table leg.

berettafan · 12-19-2007, 06:43 PM

on your last question i am finding that it's not so much learning to weld (machine setup really) as it is learning to identify good vs. bad metal, prep it right and fab. things up so the fit is righteous.

MT930 · 12-19-2007, 06:51 PM

With a decent machine and a good shield so you can see. You should be making strong welds in 30 mins. Good looking strong welds, longer but not to long. A cheap machine will take a loong time maybe never. Good luck, it can be very satisifing and fun. Protect your eye's and skin.

WydRyd · 12-20-2007, 02:02 PM

Thanks all... the search continues. Maybe Santa will be good to me this year

Zeke · 12-20-2007, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MT930

With a decent machine and a good shield so you can see. You should be making strong welds in 30 mins. Good looking strong welds, longer but not to long. A cheap machine will take a loong time maybe never. Good luck, it can be very satisifing and fun. Protect your eye's and skin.

I'd like to see the person that can make good welds in 30 minutes. Maybe your meaning of "good" and mine differ somewhat. A good weld does not resemble a worm, but rather what a worm would look like from the inside.

rnln · 12-20-2007, 09:39 PM

I can give you my personal experience between a harbor freight and home depot (Lincoln) welder. After asking questions on this board, most people recommended the Lincoln. Someone recommended the Linclon 100, but I got the harbor freight anyway because of the specification and price. Price is less than 1/3 for similar or even better specs. After trying it several times for a day, I brought it back and return it (I asked before purchase and they agree for me to try). No matter what I do, I got metal ball all around, everywhere and stick to the metal. Too much time for granding and clean up. Also, the weld look so ugly. Went home, bite the bullet, bought a lincoln 100, suddently I became a better welder, the weld is not perfect yet but look much better and I am sure stronger too.
With this lincoln 100, you have the option to weld with gas too, but need a kit. I bought the kit, tank, gas already but not sure how to install yet so can't give you comment on welding with gas.

Zeke · 12-21-2007, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rnln

With this lincoln 100, you have the option to weld with gas too, but need a kit. I bought the kit, tank, gas already but not sure how to install yet so can't give you comment on welding with gas.

Nothing to it. The solenoid should be ready to go. Screw the hose on the fitting and go. You may have to energize the solenoid, but there are wiring instructions, right? When you pull the trigger, the gas will flow. The pressure is preset on these kits. You'll never weld wire feed only again unless you have something that is just too much for MIG. You can get a bit better penetration with wire feed on larger stock. Don't forget to reverse the polarity on the leads for MIG.

rnln · 12-21-2007, 10:27 PM

On the solenoid, hose, etc, I read the pages more than teice and think "I can do it" but on the gun, I am not sure if mine is ready to go or I need a different gun. The reason why it makes me unsure about my gun is because I don't see any hose for gas comming from the machine to the nose. When I took the gun apart, I don't see any hose at all. How does gas come into work at the gun's nose?