Low(er) Cost Inverter Type Welders

[SteveW]

Gentlemen,

I have a birthday (or the nearest to a birthday for a couple more years) coming up and have been thinking of one of those Inverter type MMA welders as per Screwfix/Machine Mart. It is strickly for hobby use and having enjoyed the club's AC MMA welder would like to have something for the more delicate applications through to around 3.5mm rods (and be able to carry it/store it on a shelf). To the delicate end I'm also thinking TIG. This requirement takes me into the realms of the Ferm "Inverter 140" (c.£310) and TIG kit (another c.£140) (old Screwfix cat prices).

I have seen specialist suppliers quoting more than this for what I assume are industrial class welders but I don't really need (can afford) that sort of clout.

I would also like HF but note that the cheap versions are all touch-n-go type but I can live with this (one area at least a shakey hand helps with). I'm not really into second hand or eBay as its too much buggering about.

Has any one any tips/warnings/experiences in this arena that will make for another happy un-birthday?

[Agaman]

Join the Uk welder welding forum and ask them but be carefull as if you ask a real technical question these guy's start talking in a strange language !but will have all the answers.

[steamjohn248]

re Inverter Welders, we have been using a couple of these machines in our business for about three years, ours were from Beaties but they look the same as the Screwfix/Northern Tools etc. proba\bly all the same but different badges cost around £350 and run 140 amps 3.5 rod. They weigh very little, will work off any 15 amp plug and are such a delight to work with. We've got 400 apm 3 phase Oxfords as well as diesel portables and so on but we all use the "handbags" whereever possible i.e. except for really heavy jobs. (We are talking Marine Engineering probably one of the most hostile environments, salt water, mud oil ther really get abused but dont seem to mind, I'd never buy another hernia inducing oil filled ******.

Steamjohn

[SteveW]

John,

Thanks for that. I registered with the Welding Forum and now have the enabling email.

So far sounds like these units look worth investigating further. If I get anything from the forum I'll report back here.