If you're buying a 240V MIG welder- the more voltage adjustment steps it has, the better. Mine is stepless (SCR control).. that's the best of the lot.
<edit> apart from inverter MIGs that cost $BIG.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

I have a Telwin 150 amp MIG, which I've used a fair bit. It's reasonably priced and works well. The tutor at the welding course I did said they trialled them and thought they are pretty good. You wouldn't buy one for a panelbeater, but I'm guessing people would use it much as I do, for Minis and other projects, not full time use. It's a lot cheaper than a Lincoln, only has 4 heat seetings but I like it.

I tend to prefer brand new over second hand through experience. Gasless MIG is, as far as I can tell, a waste of time unless you can't get gas. Automatic visors are handy, you can get an automatic filter for a normal mask which is cheaper. But the best thing is a good course. I did 18 weeks @ 2/hrs a week, and learnt stick, mig, tig, gas, plasma and gas cutting, bronze welding - all for NZ$360 inc materials. Loved it.

All 240 volt welders switch off and on during the sine wave cycle due to them being single phase. Three phase machines don't do this and as such are a far easier welder to use. I have always used 3 phase welders and wondered why I initially had problems when i tried to weld with a stick single phase welder and it took a few minutes to get used to Also don't operate a welder on the end of a long extension lead as it loses voltage that way.

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Chris

Everything I like is either
illegal, immoral or fattening.

Yeah, 3 phase is nice but not exactly an 'at home' option... but if I win Lotto, I'm hooking up, buying a TIG and making a nuclear reactor...

I got my WIA 150 amp MIG out of the paper for $300 a few years back. It's been good to me.

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"Life is not like a box of chocolates... it's more like a jar of jalapenos. Whatever you do today, may burn your arse tomorrow."