Hi Guys,
 
I have decided to strip the car as I have afound quite a bit of rust and am in need of a mig welder.
 
I have seen one on eBay that seems to fit the bill and was after peoples comments on whether it would be suitable for panel repair. 
 
My budget is around $750 so I don't want to go nuts.  I want a mid priced welder that will make welding as a novice easier than one of the cheaper crappier ones.
 
It is a FEMA brand and I haven't be able to find many reviews around.
 
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/FEMA-SIP-190AMP-MIG-WELDER-EURO-COPPER-TRANSFORMER-/300529187156?pt=AU_Welding&hash=item45f8ef7954
 
Any comments are welcome as well as recommendations to other welders for around the same price bracket.
 
Cheers
 
Matt
 
 

Spend more money.
 
That unit has very limited current control, looks like only 3, maybe 4 settings.
Only takes 5kg spools.
Has average duty cycle.
Doesn't include the regulator
 
Go to your local welding shop you might be able to pick up a really good cheap 2nd hand unit for $5-700.  Otherwise have a look at the BOC Magmate range or the Linclon 180. 
 
If you're a novice having limited control is going to make it harder to learn.
 
Look for something that can take both the large and small wire spools, has the regulator included, and has more current settings.
 
 

I understand what you are saying about the regulator and the 5kg spools.
 
As to the Duty Cycle given that the best way to weld is to do small welds of say 20 - 30mm and then start again somewhere else in order to not distort the panel is the duty cycle that important?
 
Obviously, if I was welding 6 mm steel it would be a different matter but with such thin metal I wouldn't have thought it would make that much difference.
 
Although I have no experience to back that theory up.
 
Thanks for you reply.
 
Matt

i wouldn't worry about 5kg rolls, but i would be worried if you can't find many reviews around, what about uni-mig or cig i thought they would be around that price mark

A welder is one of those things that once you have one you will find it really handy.  The duty cycle and spool size are handy if you want to weld something decent together.  The lack of control on the unit means that a novice will find it easy to blow through on the thin stuff. 
 
My welder is a very old SIP 210, I used it to teach me to weld and have made turbo manifolds, welded gates, done body work, etc.  It has 12 current settings which is handy for doing really thin stuff, over 2/3 power I need to use 1.2mm wire to weld the thick stuff properly.
 
 

Thanks spigot,
 
I'll revise my price range to around the $1,000 mark as I agree with what you are saying.  Spend the money now to avoid paying it again in the future.
 
Thanks for your help
 
Matt