Hi All
Decided its time I get my mk2 a mig welder for christmas!
I can weld good but im not a welder by trade, and want to by a mig for 3-400 bucks. Looked on the bay seems to be heaps of these chinese machines, anyone got any experience with them? I only have 10amp outlet's in garage so i figure ideally 10amp welder, or am i worth getting 15amp put in to get bigger machine? What amp rate is best, car work and making odd bits up at home really.
Any help appreciated

For thin metal you need a low amp setting, the lower the better... and make sure you get one with gas. My mig has a range of 20A - 150A but is worth a little more than $400.

Its a difficult thing to justify when buying a mig for the first time but buy a small powered, cheap machine and you will most likely regret it.

Anything under about $800 will most likely be a frustrating toy

I suggest look for a second hand "brand" name MIG such as BOC, WIA, Kemppi, Lincoln etc. I got my BOC150 after a trade fair for little more than half price and it had only been used as a demo for a weekend.

Maybe have someone you know in the trade (if you're not confident) to look at a few to make sure you're getting what you pay for.

Just my thoughts.....

Thanks for the help guys, out today xmas shopping went into pawnbrokers and picked up a lincoln 170 for $300!!!.
Well chuffed, has no regulator etc but guess i can pick them up from somewhere.

good buy, heard only good things about those migs , you can even get one of those aluminium spool guns for it

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Originally posted by Dawleymon

Thanks for the help guys, out today xmas shopping went into pawnbrokers and picked up a lincoln 170 for $300!!!.
Well chuffed, has no regulator etc but guess i can pick them up from somewhere.

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Good find!

I have a spare regulator you can have for $50 plus postage. Its never been out of the box

Good buy....I bought a Lincoln 180c last month and it makes my welding look fantastic!!! Well recommend them.