"Best" welder for heavy hobby use?

[difflock]

I got a wee inverter stick welder,  and I have footered and welded with a stick welder for years, but having started bodywork repairs to a remarkedly rotten G Wagen (  and I can only suspect a previous owner was on a  beach too often). I also intend to weld up a couple of sets of fancy gates for the house.

So I need a MIG. Don't I?

I have been lent  a SIP 196 turbomig. Which I get on OK with.

But if I am buying my own, where to start?

I know there are loads of differently coloured brands all apparently coming out of the same Chinese factory.

My homework seems to indicate Kemppi, ESAB, Jasic or Oxford as being better brands.

Does a total budget of £1,000  sound sensible?

I don't Imagine I need to get hung up on a transformer welder as opposed to an inverter type.

Oops, only a single phase supply but I can wire in a blue 16A socket on a 32 amp fuse.

Marcus, the ever undecided.

 

Edited July 17 by difflock

[tcfengineering]

All my welders and plasma cutters come from Technical Arc. They are built in the UK, really good spec for the money, proper machines. They also have really good spares and backup. In fact, they make the oxford welders. You will get a very nice welder for £1000 from them. I have run welders from them for at least 15 years now and never had a problem

[doobin]

R-Tech, no question about it. Widely considered the best value hobby/semi pro MIGs on the market, and the backup is fantastic. I've got two migs and a plasma and they have been pretty heavily used.

 

With bodywork it's all about how low the amps will go- cheap sets skimp here.

 

https://www.r-techwelding.co.uk/r-tech-181-digital-mig-welder

 

Call them up to order and ask to change the torch for a genuine Binzel MB15- much nicer to use. Won't cost much.

[difflock]

Thank you Doobin,

And, believe it or not, since my post above, my Internet wanderings led me to Rtech.

Via a bloke that apparently welds blades onto turbines for Rolls Royce.

And, yes, another source mentioned the low Amps needed for car bodywork, sub 30, or 30 minimum.

Cheers.

Edited July 16 by difflock

[Brushcutter]

2 hours ago, doobin said:

R-Tech, no question about it. Widely considered the best value hobby/semi pro MIGs on the market, and the backup is fantastic. I've got two migs and a plasma and they have been pretty heavily used.

 

With bodywork it's all about how low the amps will go- cheap sets skimp here.

 

https://www.r-techwelding.co.uk/r-tech-181-digital-mig-welder

 

Call them up to order and ask to change the torch for a genuine Binzel MB15- much nicer to use. Won't cost much.

Another vote for theR  tech 181. Lovely little welders. 

[difflock]

Well, it was certainely well worth asking for advice on here.

Thank you all.

Much appreciated.

Cheers,

Marcus

[Will C]

Another vote for rtec

mine is 8years old and apart from a couple of torch liners has never needed anything. It’s done 7-8 bodywork restoration jobs plus all our tree/farm stuff. 

 

what ever you do get one with a dial for amp settings the older ones with a high/low and a 1/2 switch are crap in comparison. 

[swinny]

I bought a 230 or 240 amp rtec cant remember which it is but next one up from the 180. Lovely welder 👍 

[GarethM]

Tecarc Prof-mig C211, but of a brute of a machine but everyone that uses it seems to like it and only cost about £500.

 

Not sure how it stacks up against the modern electronicals but built like a tank.

[doobin]

I did try to edit my post to add that you should go modern decent inverter over a transformer. Lighter, pulls more juice from a single phase connection and can do arc as standard too. Can be run off a long extension lead and will also run off a decent genny if the need arises.