Mig welder & plasma cutter, advice ?

Big Davey

Was thinking of buying this welder it's a mig inverter

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/MIG-WELDER-180-AMP-NEW-BOXED-C-EURO-TORCH-/160992753406?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item257bea76fe

Here is a non inverter model a bit cheaper

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/MIG-WELDER-195-AMP-PRICE-INCLUDES-VAT-6000-SOLD-/190814522410?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2c6d6e8c2a#ht_3508wt_832

Also thinking of a plasma cutter would a 25 liter compressor be ok with this
http://www.ebay.ie/itm/PLASMA-CUTTER-CUT-40-C-W-TORCH-OVER-5000-SOLD-/160993880662?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item257bfbaa56#ht_3129wt_832

Any advise or alternatives would be greatly appreciated. I know this is considered cheap (Chinese) crap but my budget won't go much further and As its only for hobby welding a few hours a week I thought it might be ok.

Here is a link to the plasma cutter in action looks ok to me.
http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=5KHsJRo_iXM&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D5KHsJRo_iXM

TPM

Plasma cutters use a lot of air, 25ltr is the tank size of the compressor you need to compare figures like gph, lrt per mim, cfm to know for sure, but odds are the 25ltr compressor wont be big enough.

one thing to check with plasmas and migs is the price and availability of consumable parts, eg tips.

there are mixed reviews on the "cheap chinese" migs and plasmas with people delighted with them and others with ones they cant use.

You should be able to pick up a good mig second hand or some times even new ones for reasonable money.

2nd hand plasmas are very hard to get.

if you decide to buy Chinese make sure you buy well with in the working range of the unit, eg the plasma you linked shows 12mm max cutting thickness I would only plan on a max of 8mm with a unit like that

Big Davey

TPM wrote: »

Plasma cutters use a lot of air, 25ltr is the tank size of the compressor you need to compare figures like gph, lrt per mim, cfm to know for sure, but odds are the 25ltr compressor wont be big enough.

one thing to check with plasmas and migs is the price and availability of consumable parts, eg tips.

there are mixed reviews on the "cheap chinese" migs and plasmas with people delighted with them and others with ones they cant use.

You should be able to pick up a good mig second hand or some times even new ones for reasonable money.

2nd hand plasmas are very hard to get.

if you decide to buy Chinese make sure you buy well with in the working range of the unit, eg the plasma you linked shows 12mm max cutting thickness I would only plan on a max of 8mm with a unit like that

The only welder I could find second hand in my price range are sip units and I heard the wire feed is terrible on them ? Don't know what is best. I am currently using a big ugly arc welder and my biggest problem is the smoke that's why I want to move to mig, any advice on tig welding or is it a bit too technical for a non welder.
Thanks

Gen.Zhukov

Did you look at the feedback for the guy in those links ? You're a brave lad !

I would have thought 50 ltr min for the compressor and even then it would prolly be running non stop.
I'd stay away from the Chinese stuff if possible (especially if its coming in from outside of Ireland). SIP stuff is ok, mid range quality. I've never heard about any feeding issues. Parweld would be another option and at least there are agents here.
Save up a bit more and try to buy from a Co in Ire that will give you back up.
Or buy 2nd hand, but buy a make that has an agent here for spares etc.

Dunno what stuff you're doing but tig is not easy to learn for a diy'er and while it is clean and precise, its slow. I would not advise you to go that route.

If fumes are the only problem get/make and extractor unit.

Big Davey

1.618 wrote: »

Did you look at the feedback for the guy in those links ? You're a brave lad !

I would have thought 50 ltr min for the compressor and even then it would prolly be running non stop.
I'd stay away from the Chinese stuff if possible (especially if its coming in from outside of Ireland). SIP stuff is ok, mid range quality. I've never heard about any feeding issues. Parweld would be another option and at least there are agents here.
Save up a bit more and try to buy from a Co in Ire that will give you back up.
Or buy 2nd hand, but buy a make that has an agent here for spares etc.

Dunno what stuff you're doing but tig is not easy to learn for a diy'er and while it is clean and precise, its slow. I would not advise you to go that route.



If fumes are the only problem get/make and extractor unit.

Is 99.4% not good out of almost 19k sales ? Or am I reading it wrong ?
Is this one a bad idea http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/carparts/4690059

Gen.Zhukov

Big Davey wrote: »

Is 99.4% not good out of almost 19k sales ? Or am I reading it wrong ?
Is this one a bad idea http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/carparts/4690059

You don't want to be in the .6% though.

That Deca machine is ok too. Italian made and spares shouldn't be a problem.
He's not big on the info. Looks to be about 180amp and looks fairly clean too. If its running well now then it would be a runner.

http://www.decaweld.com/default.asp?idA=33

Big Davey

1.618 wrote: »

You don't want to be in the .6% though.

That Deca machine is ok too. Italian made and spares shouldn't be a problem.
He's not big on the info. Looks to be about 180amp and looks fairly clean too. If its running well now then it would be a runner.

http://www.decaweld.com/default.asp?idA=33

Point taken.

Ford3000

Hi
If your looking for a nice mig welder with good after sales service

Bmc in summer hill in Meath

I've bought most of my tools from them
Great value for money

Gen.Zhukov

Ford3000 wrote: »

Hi
If your looking for a nice mig welder with good after sales service

Bmc in summer hill in Meath

I've bought most of my tools from them
Great value for money

What are they like to work for ?

Ford3000

I'm self employed and do alot of welding
That's how I know this companie ,
They advertise on done deal

paddy147

Ford3000 wrote: »

I'm self employed and do alot of welding
That's how I know this companie ,
They advertise on done deal

Fair play....:)

Gen.Zhukov

No offence Ford3000. If I'm wrong, then I'm wrong. ( I just thought it looked a bit dodge ):)

Anyhoo.....as you were everyone.....

Ford3000

Hi no prob 1.618