Looking to buy my first welder...help needed!

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Hi everyone,I'm looking to put together some simple mild steel frames to make some furniture and I need advice on which welder to buy. I have attached some images of the steel I want to weld to this message. The thickness of the steel ranges from 1.6mm to 4mm. I won't be using the welder for anything else other than to weld these materials. I have only done a tiny bit of welding before but I am confident with power tools and (I think) I can learn things pretty quickly. Which welder would you recommend I buy? My budget is £320.What other equipment do I need to get going? Any help would be hugely appreciated!Many thanks,Guy Attached Images
Reply:You would probably be just fine with a 140 amp mig welder and 75/25 argon/co2.GravelThe difference between theory and practice is that in theory there is no difference.
Reply:Hobart handler 140 mig would probably right up your alley!  They run around $520  that's at the top of your price range but they are nice welders for the money.I would suggest possibly looking into a nice used AC/DC arc welder. You have capability to do thicker material and also the option to run scratch start (lift arc) TIG on steel. Plus this would leave extra money for grinder,welding hood,consumables,chop saw, etc.....Hope this helps you!Real welders know how to penetrate!(Equipment)Whatever can be used to beat my opponent into submission!
Reply:Mig welding would be much quicker then tig and easier to learn. A small mg will work but you may need to consider duty cycle too. A larger machine like a Miller 211 or Hobart 210 would do the job and allow more continuous duty cycle.   As for tools, if you will have many degree joints, a angle clamp may help.  https://www.google.com/webhp?sourcei...clamp&tbm=shopA angle grinder will help too. What tools do you have now ??  Is this gonna be a one time deal or production ?
Reply:OP would appear to be in the UK.  Not certain which US machines are available there, but certainly something in the 140 amp range would work fine.
Reply:Originally Posted by copeOP would appear to be in the UK.  Not certain which US machines are available there, but certainly something in the 140 amp range would work fine.
Reply:Hi DB1,Many thanks for your message. I think i'm going to go for a MIG welder. I have an angle grinder already but that's it. I wont' be using the machine everyday, possible 3 or 4 times a week.Are those US based manufacturers?Thanks again,Guy
Reply:Originally Posted by Dantheharleyman99Hobart handler 140 mig would probably right up your alley!  They run around $520  that's at the top of your price range but they are nice welders for the money.I would suggest possibly looking into a nice used AC/DC arc welder. You have capability to do thicker material and also the option to run scratch start (lift arc) TIG on steel. Plus this would leave extra money for grinder,welding hood,consumables,chop saw, etc.....Hope this helps you!
Reply:Originally Posted by GravelYou would probably be just fine with a 140 amp mig welder and 75/25 argon/co2.
Reply:Originally Posted by gburnettHey,Thanks for your reply. Would you recommend any of these manufacturers..?SealeyClarke Wolf
Reply:That's a shame you can't get lincoln miller or Hobart, those are great welders. Have you tried ordering online?You can get the job done well with a flux core welder, they are just a little harder to learn and you will have more clean up time.... I use flux mig quite a bit, once you get in the groove you can make very nice welds with it.Real welders know how to penetrate!(Equipment)Whatever can be used to beat my opponent into submission!
Reply:Longevity is good. You get 15% off for being on welding web.
Reply:Originally Posted by swampwelder13Longevity is good. You get 15% off for being on welding web.
Reply:Originally Posted by copeOP lives in the UK.
Reply:Sealey or Clarke in your part of the world.  Clarke 205TE (Turbo) would be a nice welder and can weld aluminum, Costs a little more but it would be worth it and its better then the sealey http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sealey-SUP...item19f17096edAlso check out this website, also they have tons of stores you could visit , https://www.machinemart.co.uk/  <--- You could buy lathes, welders, tools and more all in one store.If you get into welding and need an ultimate machine buy one of these  http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Miller-Mig...item53fb96b8e8 I so want that machineLast edited by NinjaRay; 08-24-2014 at 01:29 AM.
Reply:Originally Posted by NinjaRaySealey or Clarke in your part of the world.  Clarke 205TE (Turbo) would be a nice welder and can weld aluminum, Costs a little more but it would be worth it and its better then the sealey http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sealey-SUP...item19f17096edAlso check out this website, also they have tons of stores you could visit , https://www.machinemart.co.uk/  <--- You could buy lathes, welders, tools and more all in one store.If you get into welding and need an ultimate machine buy one of these  http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Miller-Mig...item53fb96b8e8 I so want that machine
Reply:Originally Posted by copeThere was a Seeley welder made in the US twenty years ago, but they apparently went elsewhere.  Clarke went belly up here.  I would ask locally about brands in you cannot get Lincoln, Miller or Hobart.
Reply:Originally Posted by Dantheharleyman99That's a shame you can't get lincoln miller or Hobart, those are great welders. Have you tried ordering online?You can get the job done well with a flux core welder, they are just a little harder to learn and you will have more clean up time.... I use flux mig quite a bit, once you get in the groove you can make very nice welds with it.
Reply:Originally Posted by swampwelder13Longevity is good. You get 15% off for being on welding web.
Reply:I would join the forum here and ask about brands and models that are readily available in your country:http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/The Clarke 135 is OK for a budget unit, but watch out for the low duty cycle.   Don't know if it's still made in Italy. I bought an earlier model (gently used) for $85 including a 5 lb. CO2 bottle, flow meter and about 5 spools of wire.  Sold just the unit and flowmeter for about $250.  The buyer overheated it and burned up the diodes.  If you gould get something used like an ESAB CaddyMig C160i or a Thermal Arc equivalent, you'd have a nice piece of kit."USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:Originally Posted by Dantheharleyman99Hey swamp! I wanted to ask how that longevity Migweld 200 runs? Any problems or things that are not quite right? I've been needing a small portable mig that packs a punch! But I don't want to spend a fortune just to have another mig that's lighter than the big machines