Thread: Purchasing a MIG welder

Hello All,

I am in the process of extracting funds from the minister of war and finance (the lovely wife), to buy a mig welder. I have some experience using welders but not much idea on pricing and where to look.

Is looking second hand a bad idea?

I will require a unit that has the capability to weld 8mm mild steel
and 4mm Ally, from experience in the past small units can cope with mild steel and stainless, but can't deal with the thicker ally.

I intend to build a kit ally boat!!

Any and all feedback is apreciated.

Adam

A high frequency DC/AC TIG like the Fronius Magic Wave will do some sensational welding on thick aluminium. We use one at work on 0.8mm aluminium to 5mm aluminium depending on whether we are doing car panels or bash plates.

We don't use aluminium MIG as it simply cannot do the range of metal finishing panel through to engineering fabrication we require.

That is my experience anyway, not just what I have heard.