Practical MIG Welding: MIG Machine Buyers Guide
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MIG Machine Buyers Guide
06.24
| 00:00 | If you're looking to upgrade your dad's old hand me down MIG welder, or you're shopping for your very first machine, there's no better time to get into the market than right now. |
| 00:08 | With recent advancements in technology, modern MIG welders are smaller and more powerful than ever, offering far more adjustable parameters to provide the kind of control needed to complete the high end fabrication tasks that we're looking for in the motorsport world. |
| 00:23 | One downside to the number of variations available for MIG welders is the confusion that it can bring to the shopping process. |
| 00:30 | It can be a little bit overwhelming reading through the specifics of each machine if you don't quite understand how these will affect its operation. |
| 00:38 | So, let's just rewind a little and spend some time considering why you need a MIG welder. |
| 00:42 | You're here so I'm guessing that you're interested in motorsports. |
| 00:46 | I also know that you'll have a budget and of course you want the best machine possible for the least amount of money. |
| 00:51 | You're also going to want after sales support and the widest array of compatible consumables to get the best out of your machine. |
| 00:59 | It's also important to have the ability to weld extremely thin metals as well as the headroom to be able to weld some thicker plate from time to time when necessary. |
| 01:07 | I'm also assuming that you'd prefer the option to be able to weld as many metals as you possibly can. |
| 01:12 | These are all factors that we need to take into account as motorsport fabricators and they'll influence your shopping list when it comes to buying a MIG welder. |
| 01:21 | The first thing we need to look at is the power supply and what you have available in your garage or workshop. |
| 01:27 | We'll get further into these details soon, but it's important that you first shop for what you can actually supply power to. |
| 01:35 | So, check the outlets in your space and match these to the welder that you're looking to purchase. |
| 01:40 | Thanks to inverter technology reducing power consumption, we can still weld a large variety of metals by running the welder off our home power outlet. |
| 01:49 | Welding heat or output as it's usually referred to is defined by the amperage and this will be one of the first variables that you'll come across in the designation of MIG machines. |
| 01:59 | Basically, machines with a higher amp rating will be able to weld thicker material. |
| 02:04 | You'll also come across the term multiprocess machine which means that the machine can support multiple styles of welding, as in combining a MIG welder and a TIG welder into one machine. |
| 02:16 | On face value this might seem like a great idea, saving you a lot of money, and it can be if your welder won't stretch to two separate welders. |
| 02:24 | However, just be mindful that switching between processes will require different types of inert gas and you might end up wasting precious time going between the two. |
| 02:34 | In a lot of instances, the majority of MIG welders on the market will have the ability to DC TIG weld, but they may also lack the majority of the settings that we need that make TIG welders suitable for motorsport welding. |
| 02:47 | Another term that's commonly associated with entry level MIG welders is gasless, which refers to the machine lacking the ability to distribute shielding gas over the arc. |
| 02:56 | These machines must use the flux core arc welding method and because of this, they're simply not suitable for motorsport welding. |
| 03:03 | Don't stress too much about this for now though, we'll be looking into it with further detail later in the course. |
| 03:09 | When shopping for a welder, we should be reading its specifications and looking for a brief description of its intended use. |
| 03:16 | This should list what the machine is designed to do and ultimately, we're looking for a welder that is primarily designed for motorsport and automotive fabrication. |
| 03:25 | Machines designed for motorsport use will usually have this listed in their description and this will give you an indication of their suitability and differentiate them from more industrial machines because they'll have further refinement to the programming and settings to handle intricate fabrication work. |
| 03:41 | As we progress through this course, we'll get to know the effects of amperage and understand that 200 amps will cover the vast majority of work that we're going to do in motorsport fabrication. |
| 03:52 | Most 200 amp machines will have the ability to weld material down as thin as 0.5mm and right up to 6.5mm. |
| 04:00 | The wire feed system in a MIG welder is crucial to its operation and this is why it's usually mentioned in the specifications of the machine. |
| 04:08 | We should be looking for a machine that utilises a metal gear drive system with interchangeable rollers to suit our desired wire size. |
| 04:16 | As we previously covered, MIG wire spools are measured by weight and wire diameter and they will suit a specific range of welders designed for this weight. |
| 04:24 | There are a variety of different wire spool materials available and depending on the machine specification, even stainless steel and aluminium can be welded with a MIG. |
| 04:34 | These two materials do present some challenges in MIG welding though and we'll be detailing these when we focus on the specific material section later in the course. |
| 04:43 | As we get further into the course, it's going to become apparent that the more settings and versatility our machine has to offer, the more control and refinement we have over our welding. |
| 04:53 | But for right now, the most important aspect of buying a machine is that we have everything we need to begin welding. |
| 05:00 | The majority of welders will be supplied with a gas regulator, an earth lead and a MIG torch, but this may not always be the case. |
| 05:08 | On top of this, it'll be up to you to get an argon bottle, filler wire and your own personal protective equipment or PPE such as your helmet and gloves. |
| 05:19 | PPE is something we take very seriously and we're going to be diving deep into this subject very soon so make sure you check that section out before running out and buying your own gear. |
| 05:29 | That covers everything we need to know about shopping for a new MIG welder for now, so let's quickly summarise. |
| 05:35 | When selecting a welder for your garage or workshop, consider your available power supply and match this to the welder's requirements. |
| 05:43 | MIG machines often support various welding styles, but be aware that switching between processes may require different inert gases. |
| 05:51 | Entry level MIG welders might lack shielding gas distribution and rely on flux core arc welding which isn't appropriate for motorsport fabrication. |
| 05:59 | We should look out for machines designed for motorsport use and this is usually indicated in the specifications or description. |
| 06:05 | A 200 amp machine should handle most motorsport fabrication jobs. |
| 06:10 | You'll also need to factor in essential accessories that don't always come with a welder. |
| 06:14 | These may include the gas regulator, earth lead, MIG gun or torch and your personal protective equipment. |
