Recommend me a cheap mig welder

Barry down at the Dog and Duck reckons he can weld, and is cheap…

gasless sounds like an unnecessary mess if you’re not using outside?

Get one that can run gas, you can always switch polarity and fit flux core wire if you need to. Gas is cleaner, easier to see. Flux core can be handy for outside, or if the spec calls for duel shield etc. You can get more penetration from flux core, and also blow through more easily on thin stuff.

Have you checked what supply you need? My small MIG 160A welder needs a 16A supply to run flat out, it will work on 13A on lower settings. The bigger 450 MIG I use for spray transfer is on 3 phase.

Make sure you budget for a bottle of gas, regulator, wire, mask, gloves etc. Hobbyweld or similar is good for home use as there is no rental fee, just a deposit. You dont need a fancy mask, but auto darkening is easier to use when learning.

Unless you already know how to weld please do not start learning on a vehicle, especially structural components such as sills or trailer chassis, until you do know how to weld competently.

Whilst unlikely that you will be welding the sills on a modern car, you should check with the VM that this is OK. Welding of structural steel is forbidden on these vehicles, due to the type of steel used.

Power won’t be an issue, I could add a 32a circuit if needed.

I’m interested by the Stahlwerk units, a combo of cost, tech and QC/warranty reputation is swaying me. Any experience here good or bad?

The latest 175A unit with auto helmet, consumables pack and a few other bits will be £350 imported. The cheapest rtech by comparison will be probably twice that.

Just some thoughts:

Are you sure that price includes UK VAT, delivery and import duties?

I don’t think that the supplied regulator will fit UK argon/co2 mix bottles. (A new regulator will add ~£40).

Warranty is ‘return to base’ so you would need to ship the welder to Germany.

Are you sure that price includes UK VAT, delivery and import duties?

Yes, give or take a few quid.

I don’t think that the supplied regulator will fit UK argon/co2 mix bottles. (A new regulator will add ~£40).

I didn’t bother with the full bundle ‘kit’ for that reason even though it’s a good price, once you bin the regulator its not so great.

The warranty rtb is kind of annoying but luckily not such an issue for me as I ship to Europe daily.