Entry level Welder

charlesodowd · 09-12-2023 10:08pm #1

Any welder recommendations, just for hobby work and DIY?

Budget would ideally be 200/300 mark.

Something that will work off a standard plug, as already have an old beast that needs a transformer so looking for something handy and portable.

TheFarrier · 09-12-2023 10:14pm

I’ve a Jefferson 140amp inverter welder. Small enough to hang it off your shoulder while welding or carry it anywhere.

paid €200-220 for it with an auto mask, gloves and box of rods 3 years ago.

A handy little weapon

https://www.thedandys.ie/product/140-amp-mini-arc-welder?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAvdCrBhBREiwAX6-6Ul9SvgTq3F8thI2cd4XBnPWBOfJYxiqc7g6nTayH7DwrRmVhzY4hShoCjDYQAvD_BwE

charlesodowd · 09-12-2023 10:16pm

https://www.powertool.ie/p/jefferson-140-amp-mini-arc-welder-230v/jefarc140m-230

Hardly this one?

TheFarrier · 09-12-2023 10:19pm

The very one.

A bit cheaper in the link I added in after

charlesodowd · 09-12-2023 11:34pm

Thanks for that, much cheaper. Will see if I can find someone around selling it.

n1st · 10-12-2023 11:19am

I am also looking.

Any thoughts on this

https://www.micksgarage.com/d/welders-and-welding-accessories/products/3610096/mma-inverter-welder-120a

patsy_mccabe · 10-12-2023 11:51am

You need to be careful with Inverter type welders. Always keep them inside when not using as the dampness destroys the PCB boards in them.

I have an old style transformer welder here for over 30 years and it's still going strong. I know someone who bought an inverter type and it packed it in after 6 months, just after the guarantee expired. It didn't pay to repair it.

Who2 · 10-12-2023 12:24pm

I’ve a Jefferson inverter welder here 7 or 8 years, it’s not used very often and not really minded but it’s still flying

older by the day · 10-12-2023 1:18pm

The one thing that annoys me about some welders is the length of the leads. Nothing worse than having to keep shifting your earth or extension lead when doing a small job

Base price · 10-12-2023 2:12pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121478270#Comment_121478270

I bought OH a Parweld XTS142 inverter welder for Christmas five or six years ago on recommendations from here. It's the one with the turn knobs rather that a push button one. He reckons it's the best thing I've got him cause it's so portable and an extension lead can reach all areas in the yard. He has an old oil cooled welder for larger projects. We store it in the bottom of the hot press which is beside the range.

148multi · 10-12-2023 6:08pm

Have one here, can't fault it .

My neighbour has one for years, a professional welder who uses it for all stick welding ( when not using mig), it got a few knocks, but still flying .

He keeps it to hand in the dog house.

orm0nd · 10-12-2023 6:34pm

I bought the yoke in the link below for €70 in a flash sale a couple of years , just to have it for any small repairs that might occur around the yard.

was impressed with it's performance however the real test when we were erecting some new penning and had to weld/reinforce plate and girders, it just ate 3.25 rods as fast as they were fed , now find we use it more than than the old sip

as mentioned downside is short leads and I most likely wouldn't recommend it if it the only welder but ours has more than paid it's way & if I had to replace it in the morning I go for the same again, maybe look for longer leads or replace the short ones

https://ige.ie/pacini-pro-arc-190amp-inverter-welder?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA4NWrBhD-ARIsAFCKwWsvzVrA7Fq_AfxHcHRvZ5uQe6QKCTe21xjdGB1bEPdWpQOlNLcTr6saApY5EALw_wcB

Bangoverthebar · 10-12-2023 6:41pm

I bought an esab 180i, quality pro level welder, about 200, it has many settings i dont understand, hot start etc but my welds are better, rods dont stick and welds are stronger.

Buy once buy right

older by the day · 11-12-2023 12:58am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121480070#Comment_121480070

That's the one I have, that I complained has short leads. Plus she doesn't have the cut out to stop the sticking, if you are only starting welding.

But she is a dinger for her size. I have burned some holes with her and never yet has she stopped from overheating. Cheap as chips

"If you can only snot,, at least snot a lot".... My welding motto

Conversations 3 · 11-12-2023 9:26am

I have this one, pretty good welder with good strong leads and clamp.

https://weldingireland.ie/product/stealth-175lt-digi-arc-175amp-inverter-230v-package/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAg9urBhB_EiwAgw88mZ77yTO41vn-S7UYNPyaASZbeJYMn4avKco_utIX0dMEhzyEtNmtzBoCDE4QAvD_BwE

n1st · 11-12-2023 4:20pm

https://www.everydayweldingsupplies.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=60938

Price is good 99 euro

any thoughts?

patsy_mccabe · 11-12-2023 5:12pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121483597#Comment_121483597

This is a transformer type welder. The old type welders. It is basically made up of an internal transformer and cooling fan. This is similar to the one I have for 30 years. You have to turn the knob on the front to increase/decrease amperage.

There's very little to go wrong with these and ideal for the occasional welder.

endainoz · 11-12-2023 6:47pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121483799#Comment_121483799

The only disadvantage of that one would be the huge weight difference compared to the inverter one. I can't get over just how light they really are.

Say my name · 11-12-2023 7:38pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121484105#Comment_121484105

The disadvantage to the inverter is a very small bit of damp when it's stored is it's goosed.

I didn't know the transformer type were still being made. On my second inverter now. Had a transformer one before for near 15 years. First invertor lasted me 18 months. Have the second now a few months.

n1st · 11-12-2023 8:16pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121484105#Comment_121484105

I see, 14 kg vs 2 kg,

SuperTortoise · 11-12-2023 8:55pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121480100#Comment_121480100

"hot start"

Just gives higher Amperage output for a fraction of a second when you strike the rod, helps prevent the rod sticking, really usefull feature actually.

charlesodowd · 13-12-2023 10:09am

The local store only has Mcanax 160amp. Would like to buy local if I could.

Anyone familiar with this brand?

I wonder is a 160amp more likely to trip fuses?

patsy_mccabe · 13-12-2023 10:25am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121489956#Comment_121489956

The 160 amp is the current that goes tru the welding rods. Below is the spec on that welder and 33Amp is the rated input AC current. Once the line you are using is rated to 32Amp, you should be OK.

Item (genfitt.ie)

charlesodowd · 13-12-2023 10:31am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121490027#Comment_121490027

Thanks Patsy, would it work all right off a standard plug socket?

Just have a standard domestic circuit here, albeit the farm has its own fuse board, separate to the house.

patsy_mccabe · 13-12-2023 3:51pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121490052#Comment_121490052

You need to get an electrician to look at it. Better be safe than sorry.

When you think about it a standard plug is only 13amp fused and you want to draw 32amp.My shed is about 100 meters from the house and I can only weld (3.2mm rods) when there is nothing else drawing from the same line in the fuse board in the house. I got an electrician to wire in a new box with proper trips and socket in the shed. I also use a very heavy armoured cable as an extension lead.

charlesodowd · 13-12-2023 5:49pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121491501#Comment_121491501

Ok cheers, electricity confuses me more than I'd like to admit. Am looking for something that I can use anywhere to fix bits and pieces so think will try get something with a lighter draw.

patsy_mccabe · 13-12-2023 7:29pm

I am confused myself now as the Paraweld XTS 163 is also rated 160 amp, but only 16Amp on the input current. Maybe it's the duty cycle.

https://wholesaleweldingsupplies.ie/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=4678

Silverdream · 18-12-2023 11:57am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121492210#Comment_121492210

That's a rob at them prices. All them welders that use IGBT Inverters are the same and sell for much less than that. You can get the same and even stronger welder from Amazon for €102.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08B669BFT/ref=twister_B09YC24FJ1?_encoding=UTF8&th=1

patsy_mccabe · 18-12-2023 1:14pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121509602#Comment_121509602

Is that particular welder any good?

n1st · 18-12-2023 1:24pm

Another thread here on the same topic

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058133642/recommend-a-welder

Deko welder mentioned above gets a mention

Silverdream · 18-12-2023 4:19pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121509917#Comment_121509917

I've a similar one from Amazon but couldn't find it anymore. The Deco seems to be the one that Amazon are promoting all the time. It does have a lot of +ve reviews in fairness. I doubt these Welders could do much beyond a 4mm stick but you are into a much higher class of Welder to use 4mm upwards

tabby aspreme · 18-12-2023 7:13pm

Has anybody bought from this site, looks way to good to be true

Mod note Thanks for the heads up lads, just have to delete all the posts that quoted it. Just for the record it is a phishing site with a welder for 37quid.

charlesodowd · 18-12-2023 7:37pm

Then it probably is.

Those leads look pathetic.

hopeso · 18-12-2023 9:00pm

Just had a quick look at that site... They even have branded tools at stupid prices. Has to be too good to be true surely

orm0nd · 19-12-2023 7:54am

After watching upfront last night and having an attempted hack on my credit card lately (thankfully aib were on the ball and queried), it's getting to the stage I'm very cautious buying anything online anymore.