Hi all,

We seem to get a huge number of 'Posts' and 'Threads' asking about "Which Welder" should I buy for ££££££s etc

I thought it would be usefull to many, both here now and to new members, to have this thread where we all who have a MIG welder(s) to post up the 'Tech Spec' (in the same Format)
good points bad points and price, etc.

I suggest we stick only to Single Phase Machines for this thread

You MUST post up the full tech specs outlined below in the same format so it makes for easy readings for those looking through,
Later On I will do a "Index" at the top of the thread by Make And Model * (now being done and will be updated as they are posted up !)

I would ask that all that post here are HONEST about it, so good and bads reflect real ownership.

I would ask those who post to do it in the following format :

• Make :
• Model :
• How Long have you had it / How old is it :
• Typical Current Price :
• Maximum Welding Current (AMPS) :
• Output at 60% Duty Cycle :
• Welding Wire range in mm :
• Small Large or BOTH re Wire Spools :
• Euro Torch (Yes / No ) :
• Argosheild Bottle - max Size that will fit :
• Weight :
• What is the most typical things you weld with it - thicknesses etc :
• Other standard Features :
• Good Points :
• Bad Points :
• On a scale of 1 to 10 1 being very unhappy with it, and 10 being "Its perfect for me" rate it :

Please Copy the above keep in this format, and then post up below, if you don't know any of the answers shove "Unsure" in the line

Hope this proves to be a Useful long term thread for all

WARNING : OT Replies will be deleted

Nige



Welders Forumers Own, Use, & have Rated - Here's a handy A-Z 'Jump To' Index


Butters AMT 170 - Lesmond of Swindonia
Butters AMT MIG 175 - Mark - 1st review
Butters AMT Mig 175 - Gav - 2nd review
Butters AMT MIG 210 - Orgasmic Farmer
Clarke 151TE (turbo) - Bowie69
Cebora CraftMig 180 - Jon White
Cemont CeMig 320TE - Rogue Vogue
Lincoln 185 compact - Davidlandy
Murex Tradesmig260 - Petes
NBC Butter Autoweld 2 - Fridge Freezer
Portamig 181 - Mike4444244
Portamig 211 - LandyManLuke
Portamig 235 - Will
SIP MigMate 150 Turbo - Jon White
SIP MIGMate 160 Gasless - Lewis
SIP SuperMig 210 - Hybrid_From_Hell

I guess I'd better go 1st

• Make : SIP
• Model : 210 Super Mig Welder
• How Long have you had it / How old is it : From New about 5+ Years
• Typical Current Price : Circa £800 INC VAT
• Maximum Welding Current (AMPS) : 210 AMPS
• Output at 60% Duty Cycle : 180 AMPS
• Welding Wire range in mm : 0.6 - 0.8
• Small Large or BOTH re Wire Spools : BOTH
• Euro Torch (Yes / No ) : YES
• Argosheild Bottle - max Size that will fit : Up to FULL Size BOC
• Weight : 95KGs
• What is the most typical things you weld with it - thicknesses etc : Cage work Plate work often 3.2mm-8mm does well
• Other standard Features : Post gas flow, Adjustable stitch weld facility, wire speed coarse and fine power adjusters
• Good Points : Heavy duty cycle, copper transformer, not one of the SIP Hobby welders - Professional Range, Good solid wheels very robustly made
• Bad Points : KIN HUGE. KIN HEAVY, bigger amp units now on market - was biggest when I bought it
• On a scale of 1 to 10 1 being very unhappy with it, and 10 being "Its perfect for me" rate it : Had no probs, 9/10 as would like more power

Nige

• Make : NBC (Butters)
• Model : Autoweld 2
• How Long have you had it / How old is it : Had it 18 months / it's about 33 years old
• Typical Current Price : Second hand ~£200, equivalent new machine probably £5-600
• Maximum Welding Current (AMPS) : 200 ish
• Output at 60% Duty Cycle : 200 ish
• Welding Wire range in mm : 0.6/0.8 settings, would probably take 1mm too.
• Small Large or BOTH re Wire Spools : Both
• Euro Torch (Yes / No ) : Yes
• Argosheild Bottle - max Size that will fit : definitely Y, probably Z
• Weight : I can get it into the back of a RR on my own so it can't be that heavy. Did involve a lot of swearing though.
• What are the most typical things you weld with it - thicknesses etc : ~1mm to ~6mm, thicker if it's not safety critical. Good for bodywork repairs, glued a fair bit of the 109 together with it.
• Other standard Features : Automatic wire speed based on current (only one knob to worry about) Spot timer although mine doesn't seem to work. Inductor to improve weld quality compared to hobby units.
• Good Points : Will probably last forever, very simple and robust (almost idiot proof), Butters are very helpful on the phone even after 33 years.
• Bad Points : A bit big & heavy for the average lounge, Butters can't find a service manual for it, needs some neons and chrome.
• On a scale of 1 to 10 1 being very unhappy with it, and 10 being "Its perfect for me" rate it : 9/10 (10/10 when I get the neons on)

Hope it isn't OT to post a pic of the internals to illustrate the rather HD nature of the components:

* Make :Butters AMT
* Model : MIG 211
* How Long have you had it / How old is it : 11 months
* Typical Current Price : £500 +vat
* Maximum Welding Current (AMPS) : 220 A
* Output at 60% Duty Cycle : 90 A
* Welding Wire range in mm : 0.6 - 1.0 mm
* Small Large or BOTH re Wire Spools : both
* Euro Torch (Yes / No ) : Yes
* Argosheild Bottle - max Size that will fit : Definately Y probably Z
* Weight : 48 kgs
* What is the most typical things you weld with it - thicknesses etc : 1 mm bodywork/sills etc upto 10mm for winch mounts
* Other standard Features : Spot weld timer
* Good Points : Very good welds on thin bodywork type repairs. Damaged gas solenoid on delivery-new one sent from Butter with no quibbles
* Bad Points : Runs out of puff on thick stuff. Ok for a few tens of seconds then performance drops of rapidly. Needs a seperate 16 amp supply or will constantly blow fuse on normal plug when welding big stuff (not really a bad point!)
* On a scale of 1 to 10 1 being very unhappy with it, and 10 being "Its perfect for me" rate it : 7

* Make :Cemont.
* Model :Cemig 230TE.
* How Long have you had it / How old is it :I've had it 4 years, must be 15 years old.
* Typical Current Price :£600 to replace with equivalent machine.
* Maximum Welding Current (AMPS) :230
* Output at 60% Duty Cycle :148@60%, 230@25%, 115@100%
* Welding Wire range in mm :I only have the .6 and .8 wheel, should have 1 and 1.2 wheel too.
* Small Large or BOTH re Wire Spools :5 or 15kg.
* Euro Torch (Yes / No ) :Yes
* Argosheild Bottle - max Size that will fit :Full size.
* Weight :One man can lift it, not sure about numbers.
* What is the most typical things you weld with it - thicknesses etc :Typically 3-6mm but have done 8mm no trouble.
* Other standard Features :Spot weld timer, socket for spool gun.
* Good Points :Reasonably compact.
* Bad Points :Wire feed gearbox leaks oil into feed motor, common to all this make which I have seen. Motor needs time to warm up and clear oil before welding, only at the start of the session.
* On a scale of 1 to 10 1 being very unhappy with it, and 10 being "Its perfect for me" rate it :8, only really let down by the frustration over the feed motor.

Basically a very useable machine, I have used three different machines in the same range, 170Ts all be it. They all suffer with the wire feed motor problem but it really isn't that big a deal. The range has been discontinued but a new range is available from Telford group Ltd. on the web, you can get them from Italy (where they are made) through a geezer on ebay for less.

This machine is supposed to have a 16Amp supply but a 13Amp plug with a contact tip instead of a fuse works really well.

• Make :SIP
• Model : MigMate 160 Gasless
• How Long have you had it / How old is it : 2years, its probably about 15years old
• Typical Current Price : approx £200 (overpriced)
• Maximum Welding Current (AMPS) :160
• Output at 60% Duty Cycle :unknown, very low in my experience
• Welding Wire range in mm : 0.8
• Small Large or BOTH re Wire Spools : Small gasless wire reels only
• Euro Torch (Yes / No ) : No
• Argosheild Bottle - max Size that will fit : N/A
• Weight : Very little, you could easily lift it above your head
• What is the most typical things you weld with it - thicknesses etc : Things that are outside or away from a 3 phase supply, only as an abolsute last resort do I use this machine, anything from rustly rebar to galv building supports
• Other standard Features : Includes a wire brush and a frying-pan style mask
• Good Points : You could throw it at burglers. You can weld outside using only a generator
• Bad Points : Tinny, poor build quality, incredibly difficult to set up, poor quality controls, short torch, shorter earth, crocodile clip style earth, wire feed jams regularly, trigger is small even for my girly fingers, consumables are not available easily, wire is expensive
• On a scale of 1 to 10 1 being very unhappy with it, and 10 being "Its perfect for me" rate it : 3, it was free, otherwise it would be a 1

• Make : Butters AMT
  
• Model : MIG 175
• How Long have you had it / How old is it : ~5 Years, and it was a couple of years old when I bought it (via eBay)
• Typical Current Price : equivalent model is around £450
• Maximum Welding Current (AMPS) :175
• Output at 60% Duty Cycle : 90A
• Welding Wire range in mm : 0.6 and 0.8
• Small Large or BOTH re Wire Spools : 5 and 15kg
• Euro Torch (Yes / No ) : Yes
• Argosheild Bottle - max Size that will fit : it will take Z (full size) but I use Y (half height)
• Weight : can be lifted into the truck by one person relativly easily... no idea in kg's
• What is the most typical things you weld with it - thicknesses etc : Done a lot of Discovery and Range Rover bodywork, some chassis work - so between 2 and 4mm. Have done 6mm and have welded 20mm bar to 6mm bumper with no problems.
• Other standard Features : spot/stitch weld timer and its er.... Orange...
• Good Points : It has a very large copper transformer for this sort of machine. controls are simple and easy to use.
• Bad Points : standard earth clamp is a bit crap, but that is easily replaced with a proper one
• On a scale of 1 to 10 1 being very unhappy with it, and 10 being "Its perfect for me" rate it : 8 - does all the things I want it to do. if i were to move into heavier Fab type stuff, i would likely want a bit more power - essentially a really good machine to start and learn on.

Make : Butters AMT

Model : MIG 175
How Long have you had it / How old is it : 3 years
Typical Current Price : equivalent model is around £450
Maximum Welding Current (AMPS) :175
Output at 60% Duty Cycle : 90A
Welding Wire range in mm : 0.6 and 0.8
Small Large or BOTH re Wire Spools : 5 and 15kg
Euro Torch (Yes / No ) : Yes
Argosheild Bottle - max Size that will fit : it will take Z (full size) but I use Y (half height)
Weight : can be lifted into the truck by one person relativly easily... no idea in kg's ?(same here!)
What is the most typical things you weld with it - thicknesses etc : lots of small bracket stuff, chasiss and tube work
Other standard Features : spot/stitch weld timer
Good Points : It has a very large copper transformer for this sort of machine. controls are simple and easy to use.
Bad Points : standard earth clamp is a bit crap, but that is easily replaced with a proper one, and the 240v lead bulkhead connector in the back of the unit, failed (no biggy just replaced)
On a scale of 1 to 10 1 being very unhappy with it, and 10 being "Its perfect for me" rate it : 8 - I am very happy with it. Welds look good after a bit of practice and get good penetration.

Make : Portamig
Model : 181
How Long have you had it / How old is it : 6 months
Typical Current Price : Approx £500
Maximum Welding Current (AMPS) : 181
Output at 60% Duty Cycle : Unsure
Welding Wire range in mm : 0.6-1, not used any bigger personally
Small Large or BOTH re Wire Spools : Both
Euro Torch (Yes / No ) : Yes
Argosheild Bottle - max Size that will fit : Full Size
Weight : Unsure... but liftable by 1 person!
What is the most typical things you weld with it - thicknesses etc : 18g bodywork through to 6mm plate
Other standard Features : Coarse and fine volt adjustments, Infinite adjustability wire speed
Good Points : Super well made, warranty, service from dealer, ease of use, wire feed mechanism.
Bad Points : None that i have managed to find... er cost maybe? also requires 16A feed at full whack.
On a scale of 1 to 10 1 being very unhappy with it, and 10 being "Its perfect for me" rate it : 10, absolutely fantastic welder, IMHO the best serious DIY/Light Pro mig available, I would recommend it to anyone!

Make : Cebora
Model : Craftmig 180
How Long have you had it / How old is it : I've had it about 2 years - I aquired it from Tonk
Typical Current Price : £465.00
Maximum Welding Current (AMPS) : 180
Output at 60% Duty Cycle : 80A
Welding Wire range in mm : 0.6 - 0.8
Small Large or BOTH re Wire Spools : BOTH
Euro Torch (Yes / No ) : YES
Argosheild Bottle - max Size that will fit : Biggest BOC do!
Weight : 39
What is the most typical things you weld with it - thicknesses etc : 1-6mm
Other standard Features : er its got wheels and its red!
Good Points : Its red, and its nice and simple. Not too many settings to confuse me with. Wire feed mechanism has been trouble free and I've not yet managed to thermal it unlike my last one!
Bad Points : Leads could be longer (I could change them easily I've just not bothered)
On a scale of 1 to 10 1 being very unhappy with it, and 10 being "Its perfect for me" rate it :10

Whilst we're at it I'll do one for my old SIP pile of cr@p aswell........

Make : SIP
Model : MIgmate 150 Turbo
How Long have you had it / How old is it : I had it from new about 7 years ago - sold it about 2 years ago
Typical Current Price : £250.00
Maximum Welding Current (AMPS) : 150
Output at 60% Duty Cycle : 113 @ 20% duty
Welding Wire range in mm : 0.6 - 0.8
Small Large or BOTH re Wire Spools : Both
Euro Torch (Yes / No ) : NO
Argosheild Bottle - max Size that will fit : Small disposable bottles only
Weight : 30Kgs
What is the most typical things you weld with it - thicknesses etc : 1-6mm
Other standard Features : Auto wire feed adjustemnt when changing power sttings
Good Points : The auto wire feed adjustment was useful. Usefull for small, infrequent jobs. Easy to store as its quite small.
Bad Points : Hmmm where do i start......constantly overheated and cut out on thermal when welding thicker materials, wire feed was a PITA, hobby style torch was a PITA constantly melting and packing up, disposable bottles were uneconomical, no wheels and 30Kg's is friggin heavy to lug about
On a scale of 1 to 10 1 being very unhappy with it, and 10 being "Its perfect for me" rate it :3

Make :........................................................................Butters AMT
Model :.......................................................................170 amps
How Long have you had it /How old is it :................Approximately 6-months
Typical Current Price :.......................................................................£364
Maximum Welding Current (AMPS) :.................................................30-170
Output at 60% Duty Cycle :15% - 136Amps, 60% - 78Amps, 100% - 55Amps
Welding Wire range in mm :.........................................................6 or 8mm
Small Large or BOTH re Wire Spools :........................................45kg or 5kg
Euro Torch (Yes / No ) :........................................................................Yes
Argosheild Bottle - max Size that will fit .It came with a trolley and I use size X
Weight :...........................................................................25kg
What is the most typical things you weld with it - thicknesses etc :1.1mm - 5mm
Other standard Features :.......................Cooling Fan, thermal overload cut-off
Good Points :...............Compact, easy to use controls, quiet, good construction
Bad Points :Heavy for it's size, unbalanced, height the trolley makes it top heavy
On a scale of 1 to 10 1 being very unhappy with it, and 10 being "Its perfect for me" rate it : 9

I have almost minimal experience of MIG welders, so I bought this on recommendation and am very happy with it.


Les.

Make : Portamig
Model : 211
How Long have you had it / How old is it : from new/5 months
Typical Current Price : £595
Maximum Welding Current (AMPS) :215
Output at 60% Duty Cycle : 120
Welding Wire range in mm : 0.6 - 1mm (0.6 / 0.8 roller supplied)
Small Large or BOTH re Wire Spools : both
Euro Torch (Yes / No ) : included in price, 3m or 4m
Argosheild Bottle - max Size that will fit : full, reg supplied
Weight : 55kg on spec sheet, awkward lift for 1 person
What is the most typical things you weld with it - thicknesses etc : 1mm RRC door frame/chassis/body frame. in future roll cage and winch mounts.
Other standard Features : 12 power settings (2 sets of 6)
Good Points : wire feed motor the size of a coke can. built to last. very solid. lowest setting is only 20A, most welders this size its normally 30A
Bad Points : none really
On a scale of 1 to 10 1 being very unhappy with it, and 10 being "Its perfect for me" rate it : 10. Does what it says on the tin. no bells. no whistles. solid performance all day every day. great supplier with good support/spares availabilty. 10 as i will not need to buy another MIG. It took me over a year of research to decide on this welder.


MigTigArc sell these welders under their own 'MTA' brand. they are identical to the Portamig welders, they're all built in York, UK.





feel free to make images clicky if they get in the way etc.

• Make : Portamig
• Model : 235
• How Long have you had it / How old is it : New / about 2 wks
• Typical Current Price : £665 inc VAT
• Maximum Welding Current (AMPS) : 235 (min 20amps)
• Output at 60% Duty Cycle : 140amps (I think)
• Welding Wire range in mm : 0.6 -1.0mm
• Small Large or BOTH re Wire Spools : 5 or 15kg
• Euro Torch (Yes / No ) : Yes
• Argosheild Bottle - max Size that will fit : Full size
• Weight : 58kg (I think)
• What is the most typical things you weld with it - thicknesses etc : 0.6 - 8mm, 12 with big V gap
• Other standard Features : Min current 20amps, good for thin stuff
• Good Points : Very solid well built machine, very strong / reliable wire feed, made in England, decent duty cycle
• Bad Points : None noted yet!
• On a scale of 1 to 10 1 being very unhappy with it, and 10 being "Its perfect for me" rate it : 9, more power would always be good, but I haven't found anything I couldn't do with it yet.

Will

Make : Murex
Model : Tradesmig260
How Long have you had it / How old is it : About 6 months
Typical Current Price : 800-1000 + vat
Maximum Welding Current (AMPS) : 260
Output at 60% Duty Cycle : 140amp...?
Welding Wire range in mm : 0.6 - 1.0mm
Small Large or BOTH re Wire Spools : Both
Euro Torch (Yes / No ) : Yes
Argosheild Bottle - max Size that will fit : Full size
Weight : 90kg (+bottle!) I think...
What is the most typical things you weld with it - thicknesses etc : 1 - 12mm, tube, etc etc
Other standard Features : Min current 20amps, good for thin stuff
Good Points : Very well designed and built welder, nicely designed wire feed - all metal, about as powerful as you can get on single phase
Bad Points : heavy!!
On a scale of 1 to 10 1 being very unhappy with it, and 10 being "Its perfect for me" rate it : 9
http://www.weldinggear.co.uk/Mig-Welders/M...PACKAGE_570.htm

• Make : Clarke
• Model : 151TE (turbo)
• How Long have you had it / How old is it : 3 months
• Typical Current Price : £220
• Maximum Welding Current (AMPS) : 150A
• Output at 60% Duty Cycle : 100A? Not sure tbh
• Welding Wire range in mm : 0.6, 0.8 and they sent me a 1.0mm tip as well, but I think it would need a conversion to the feed
• Small Large or BOTH re Wire Spools : 0.5KG and 5KG
• Euro Torch (Yes / No ) : No
• Argosheild Bottle - max Size that will fit : Hobby gas or make your own cradle
• Weight : 25KG? Maybe more, it is a lump to move round, hence why it has wheels..... I don't like lifting it to move it! Thats with gas and 5KG wire.
• What is the most typical things you weld with it - thicknesses etc : 2mm -> 5mm
• Other standard Features : wire feed control, current control, good regulator..... no trick things like stitch etc
• Good Points : Good steady wire feed compared my old sealey -biggest improvement for me, regulator no longer empties a bottle of gas over night if I leave it connected low minimum current setting for thin stuff.
• Bad Points : Needing a 15A wall socket to run it (I know you CAN run it from a 13A plug, just you shouldn't!)
• On a scale of 1 to 10 1 being very unhappy with it, and 10 being "Its perfect for me" rate it : 9 -I didn't want to spend toooo much, yet it will munch through 5mm steel fine when on CO2/Argon mix

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/...diy-mig-welders

I got mine from guy called 'Weldequip' on the 'migwelders forum' -very helpful, fast and keen prices. (cheaper than Machine Mart.....) He also sells on ebay occasionally.

Make : Lincoln Electric
Model : 185 compact
How Long have you had it / How old is it : 3 years
Typical Current Price : around £500
Maximum Welding Current (AMPS) :185
Output at 60% Duty Cycle : 180a @ 15%, 100a @60% , 70a @100%
Welding Wire range in mm : 0.6 and 0.8
Small Large or BOTH re Wire Spools : 5 and 15kg
Euro Torch (Yes / No ) : Yes
Argosheild Bottle - max Size that will fit : it will take full size but I use a 3ft co2 bottle
Weight : 60kgs
What is the most typical things you weld with it - thicknesses etc : chassis repair work
Other standard Features :
Good Points : Quality build. controls are simple and easy to use. As used on Scrapheap Challenge!
Bad Points :
On a scale of 1 to 10 1 being very unhappy with it, and 10 being "Its perfect for me" rate it : 8 - does all the things I want it to do.

I was the G/M at Butters NBC in the 70's. thank you for your comments,

We built to an Ideal not a cut price that seems to be the norm now in engineering.

If you are looking for spares or good used equipment have a look at Westerman welding in Leicester,
Pete Westerman is an old friend and an honest dealer, (very rare these days)

Regards to you all Jim Cook.

• Make : SIP Weldmate Industrial Synergic
• Model : IC300WS
• How Long have you had it / How old is it : 2 Weeks
• Typical Current Price : £1,200
• Maximum Welding Current (AMPS) : 300
• Output at 60% Duty Cycle : 196
• Welding Wire range in mm :0.6. 0.8, 1.0, 1.2
• Small Large or BOTH re Wire Spools : Yes
• Euro Torch (Yes / No ) : Yes
• Argosheild Bottle - max Size that will fit : Full size
• Weight : 101kg
• What is the most typical things you weld with it - thicknesses etc : 0.8mm - 6mm
• Other standard Features : Synergic functionality
• Good Points : Decent wheels and good construction. 12 Synergic programs for Ferrous, S/Steel, and Ali
• Bad Points : Bluddy huge .......1040 x 1040 x 560
• On a scale of 1 to 10 1 being very unhappy with it, and 10 being "Its perfect for me" rate it :10

OK, so lets look a some pictures ................





Also I have run a few beads ............... however, beads don't photograph particularly well and beads on actual joints always look better but are even harder to photograph.........

let the p!ss taking begin............remember, these are real close ups........... even the splatter looks like mountains


This is 0.8mm (22g) right through to 6mm plate ........... the long plate on the end was done with about 240A just for fun........




Then the real close ups ..............

22g - 0.8mm




18g - 1.2mm (ignore what I wrote on the weld sample - 20g )




3mm plate......




6mm plate at about 200A





and lastly 6mm plate welded a 240A ........ christ, you have to move fast








Ian

And for the north american viewers on here.... mine is :

Make : Miller
Model : Millermatic 252
How Long have you had it / How old is it : 3 months
Typical Current Price : CDN$2500
Maximum Welding Current (AMPS) : 250A @ 40%
Output at 60% Duty Cycle : 200A
Welding Wire range in mm : 0.6 - 1.2
Small Large or BOTH re Wire Spools : both max 12" dia
Euro Torch (Yes / No ) : Miller type
Argosheild Bottle - max Size that will fit : 4'
Weight : 94kg
What is the most typical things you weld with it - thicknesses etc : 6mm - 12mm, not rock sliders & bumpers soon
Other standard Features : Angled dual drive wire system, low load bottle rack, auto gun detect for both torch & spool gun
Good Points : You can buy spares anywhere for it
Bad Points : There not cheap but you pay for the quality
On a scale of 1 to 10 1 being very unhappy with it, and 10 being "Its perfect for me" rate it : 10

Cheers,
Andy