Group test: MIG welders

Entry-level welders are better quality than ever – we test five of the best

FEW skills prove as liberating for the serious DIY Land Rover enthusiast as being able to weld. Whether restoration, alteration or repairs after an altercation, welding is a necessity and one worth pursuing. If you’ve ever turned down a Land Rover purchase due to a rotten bulkhead or load floor area you’ll appreciate that the enthusiasts who can repair such areas often grab the bargains others find uneconomical to pay a pro to sort. For the outlay of a few hundred pounds, the cost of making good a rotten project vehicle can plummet, and progress can be very much under your control. MIG welders have arguably never been so affordable or so good, with a huge range to consider and compare from. So what do you look for? Is gas better than no-gas?

Unless you’re conducting rolling repairs in the wilderness or in an emergency, gas MIG welding is superior to no-gas. Both are solid, but no-gas flux wire spatters and spits more, making it far from ideal on localised body repairs or near vulnerable items such as glass, fuel and plastic components. Gas MIG welding offers greater control and better visibility of the weld pool for that control.

The kits tested here offer out of the box use with flux core wire or the same if a gas bottle is included. If opting for a gas fed kit, buy extra bottles as the mini bottles don’t last long, especially if you want to practise first, which is recommended. Wire feeds can make all the difference between a good and bad weld so don’t settle for judders or slips.

Check spares availability before you buy so that items such as the torch and wire feed can be replaced if economically viable. A decent welder is an investment that repays many times over, so what are you waiting for? Check out the tutorial videos available for some of these machines and their full specs online.