Welcome to Used Mig Welders. Here you will find information on mig welders, specifically used mig welders.
Buying used mig welders is a great way to save money on a mig welder but still be able to do welding projects with a great machine.
However, when buying a used mig welder, there are a few things to consider before buying.
It’s always wise to stay away from used mig welders that are too cheap, around $100, because this could mean that the machine is either cheaply made or that it has problems. Most of the cheap and low quality mig welders do not work at all for welding so steer clear of those.
For example, there are quite a few new and used mig welders that are cheap 110 volt low amp units with a hose you feed the wire through that doesn’t even have an on/off switch for the power to the wire. The gun switch only runs the wire which makes you spark the wire on your work alot when you are not ready. Virtually all these types of units are junk so don’t waste your money. Instead look for used mig welders that have an on/off switch for the power to the wire.
Also, look for used mig welders that allow you to adjust the power as much or as little as you want. Alot of the cheaper mig welders only allow for 2-3 adjustments, usually from low to medium to high with no options in between. So the more precise adjusting that the used mig welder allows, the better you will be able to work because instead of the machine being in control of the speed you are and that makes your welding work more precise.
Another factor to consider is the length of the ground wire and the gun hose, the longer both the ground wire and the gun hose are the better. And last, buy as powerful a used mig welder as you can because a used mig welder with 120 amps is far better than a new mig welder with only 110 amps. Better yet try to find a used mig welder that can switch from 120 volts to 220 volts using one internal switch.
Thus, good used mig welders will bare minimum cost you $200+ but it’s worth it to get a unit that performs well as opposed to getting a cheap unit that doesn’t work at all. Furthermore, try to buy used mig welders that were manufactured in the U.S. as it’s easier to get replacement parts for a unit that was made in the States as opposed to one made in another country.
And when purchasing a used mig welder, it’s okay if the unit is smoked up a little, has paint chips and a blackened gun but avoid used mig welders that again don’t have an on/off switch for the power to the wire, doesn’t have a variety of power adjustments, short ground wire and gun hose, not very powerful, and used mig welders made outside of the U.S.