Mig welders

A gasless mig is really just a stick welder with the exception that instead of having welding rods (covered with flux) you have a wire covered with flux - not really a mig. They work ok but not as well as a proper MIG - get one that runs gas - you no longer have to rent bottles as they can be purchased and and exchanged on a swap and go principle.

Garry

G'day.
I'd definitely go with gas. Even Bunnings do the swap for all your gas. Well they do in Mildura. Buy your bottle and your away.
Cheers Danny

Hi
The torch lead needs to be replaceable . Commonly called a " EURO TORCH "
A euro torch screws on . The others are semi permanent install and typically u can only purchase from the machine maker . Can be very expensive .
Check the price of a replacement trigger/gun with hose .

Mild steel wire is cheap in the larger size

With a non euro type u maybe restricted on wire size selection therefore costing more $$
A 180 amp is way more desirable reliable and resellable in a leading brand

On light guage I would recommend a 0.6 roll of wire.
0.9 is a pig on low amps with thin material.
0.6 is better.
the gun is much better the longer it is.
over 2mtrs would be a minimum.
uni mig make a cheap but ok for light stuff.
I would stick with a brand that has been around a long time.

chasing parts for a new brand can be expensive or not worth the hassle.

If you are doing any sort of regular welding a propper mig with gas is the way to go.

If you are comming from stick as I did ..... serioulsy you won't know yourself.

The ability to just keep welding, weld over what you have just done immediately, the ability to adjust for pretty wide range of different thickness materials at the turn of a dial and none of that weld, chip, grind re-weld cycle....... OH hell the time saved is just fabulous ... and the weld quality even someone with moderate skill can produce is great. ... mig realy stands out on light material.

The gas deal has changed ........ the rent rip off duopoly is pretty much gone ...... yes you can buy ... for an infrequent welder that is the go.

don't worry too much about the long gun cable ....... chain up and put the bottle on a long hose, then the machine moves very easily.

I and about 4 of my friends have the combination machine ( mig/tig/stick) that tradetools sell ...either under the tradetools brand or with another badge. ...... the machine comes with a unimig badge at 30% more ..... its a great machine for a light user.

being able to do stick as well, is handy if you want to work on dirty metal.

serioulsy if you can come up with the extra $$ go with a gas MIG.

cheers

Agree with all the above. However for the financially strapped, a $150 eBay gasless might can be OK.

I used an arc for the bigger chassis welds and might gasless for the frame if thus very lightweight van. The frame was made with 13x13mm x1.6mm tube. I rarely put a hole in the tube with the gasless. Some joins had gussets and the van did a "lap" in winter thus year.
So gas is the way to go, gasless on a budget IMO

Once again the opinions (and facts) expressed to my queries are very accurate, and as I hoped were told by those that have used this equipment, so thanks for taking the time to reply.
I intend to still go stick for all metal work unless the thickness is in the light sheet metal range when I want to use the Mig. I know, old habits die hard, but after 50 odd years of fabricating everything that moves, I still like the stick technology.
You all seem to go the gas mig which makes sense, but I think I will go the gas less with a torch and lead which can be changed to suit gas if down the track I convert to more Mig usage. My intended welding of light sheet metal will be more of a hobby usage and probably intermittent, but I do want the capability of welding this light gauge stuff when and if it comes up.
Plus the fact that my stick welder is now 54 years old and I couldn't bear to toss it !
Thanks once again for the advice.
BillM