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Buying a MIG welder

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Key considerations

What amperage machine is required ? Presume 35 to 40 amps per millimetre to be welded.
What material will be welded? Pulse MIG produces the best results on aluminium & stainless.
Is the welder inverter based ? Inverters offer infinite amperage control, energy saving & reduced weight.
Is the power source synergic ? Synergic machines allow for easy set up according to material to be welded, it's diameter & shielding gas.
What is the duty cycle of the machine? Do you need a water cooled torch for heavy duty, time on applications.
What is the wire drive system ? 2 or 4 roll? A good heavy duty 4 roll block will feed most wires.
What is the MIG torch specification & length? Torches up to 5 metres in length are available. Check the amperage matches the power output of the machine.
What input power do you have available? You won't be able to weld above 6 mm material thickness with a 240 volt input.
What long is the machine warranty ? Does the dealer have engineers, who can provide after sales back up.

The Fronius Transsteel 2200 is a true Multi process welding set with MIG, TIG, MMA capability. It's MIG side has synergic functionality up to 210 amps, whilst you can DC Pulse TIG @230 amps.
With MMA stick welding up to 180 amps and arc force, Hot start & anti-stick technology to boot, it's the ideal tool for site work. Everything fits neatly in a tool case.
The MIG wire feeder takes 100 or 200mm reels & switching between processes is easy.

The Miller MPI 220P MIG is great for pulse mig welding up to 5mm steel & 6mm aluminium. Featuring a synergic mode, means it will select the correct voltage and amperage based on wire feed speed set up by the operator.
This universal multi-process inverter can be used for DC TIG & MMA welding at 5 to 200 amps. Adjustable Hot start for stick & upslope/downslope function for TIG are a nice bonus.
Great all rounder for site work, due it weighing only 16 kilos. Supplied with a Binzel MB25 4 metre air cooled torch, 230 amps @60%.

The Miller Migmatic 300IP is a portable, and compact pulse MIG welding machine, with an amperage range of 5 to 300 amps and 4 roll wire drive unit, compatible with 1.0mm-1.2mm wire.
We like the 300IP's 4 pre-set trigger switch program & it's pulse MIG capabilities making it the ideal system for aluminium, stainless steel, and thin plate.
Pulse reduces weld spatter & in turn post weld clean up. Supplied with a Binzel MB36 4 metre torch, welding up to 10mm material.

The Foster MAXI 405 is ideal for medium to large fabrication work where a simple, strong and easy-to-use equipment is needed.
The MAXI 405 has fine arc characteristics, a robust construction & good energy saving.
The WF6 wire feed unit's digital ammeter/voltmeter have a hold function, which stores the last welding parameters.
The Industrial 4 roll wire feed mechanism offers a precise and constant wire drive.
The feeder has an inspection window on the spool cover, 2/4 STROKE selector switch, burn back & motor ramp adjustments for precise arc striking.

Our robust and reliable Foster Maxi 406i S MIG is also available in a water cooled version. The power sources boast active four roll wire feed systems, digital volt/amp meter and infinite current adjustment.
These high quality machines are a rugged and reliable solution for high amp, demanding fabrication with the latest inverter technology providing a considerable energy saving against traditional transformer based sets.

When heavy duty MIG welding of aluminium is required and wire needs to be fed over long distances, the only viable welding method is Push-Pull MIG. Push-pull utilises two motors, one in the feeder & one in the gun, to feed MIG wire distances up to ten metres.
Miller's Alumafeed push-pull system couples to the XMT350 Mpa synergic pulse power source & has few peers in the transport sector. Miller's robust XR30 pistol grip gun is available in air & water cooled versions & in lengths up to 10 metres and allows the operator to weld inside a structure or trailer with ease.
Miller's synchronized, true push-pull wire feed systems have a slave/torque motor to ensure smooth, consistent feeding and improved arc performance, while reducing the problems normally associated with feeding aluminium.