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Time to buy and learn about MIG welding and i was wondering any tips on buying a MIG welder - which model etc.. I have done very, very limited welding in the past - but a long time ago.

My plan is to do plenty of testing and practice prior to starting on the old girl, hence why i'm asking now... I was a Redback R165 MIG, single phase up to 180amps - is this enough? Is does have reverse polarity.

I have a mate who can gimme some lessons - but i was hoping to see what you guys recommend.

TIA
RDP

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I spoke to CIG about wich mig to use, thier suggestion was a
Transmig 135. As the name suggests 135amp.
The bloke I talked to said this was ample to do all my auto repairs,
easy to use, gas or gasless and the price is reasonable, about $750. I have bought one, but havn't
tried it out, cause I've been working on othe projects at the moment.
You could buy one with more amps but of course the price jumps, check them out here

Regards ...Tim

Hi Phantom,

I can ditto what Tim said. At my night TAFE mig crash course I used a Transmig 35 on gas. The teacher said it would be fine for auto work. I looked at a few different ones ended up buying the 135 at arounf the $750 mark.

My welds aren't very pretty but at least the machine works.

regards
Stewart

Hi All -

Thanks for the advice - i go with the 135 probably. Am booking into a welding course at the local tafe starting in February intake (too soon to do one now) - check out "My EK" section for latest pics...

Thanks all-
Phantom

Hi guys,
I have been an amature welder for a few years now and believe it or not I find the mig the hardest to use

I allways get frustrated at the way the welds end up and the amount of griding that has to be done especially on thin butt joints.
There are heaps of little tricks to master and the more practice you have the easier it becomes.
Doing a course is not a waste of time and you can be taught or learn these little tricks real quick.
I now use both mig and oxy combined and so far getting good results. Just remember that a mig needs good clean metal to work well. An oxy on the other hand can weld with some rust present but rule of thumb, get rid of all the cancer and you'll be ok.

Speaking of rust I should get my act together and get back into the car

Regards Greg