14 replies to this topic

[Msmith3327]

If i were to buy a welder to use on the Mini, which of the following if any would be suitable? and I know this is gonna be a bloomin silly question but I am going to ask it anyway, they do just plug into a standard house plug socket dont they

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item2ebae6a352

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item460061dfee

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item2a18c2c854

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item46005715f9

[miniyellowmini]

Can't really advise on a welder as like you I'm looking for one too. Don't think you need anything too special for basic bodywork repairs. Some will just plug in some wont. Most will work but I think I'm right in saying single/three phase wont.

Edited by miniyellowmini, 25 January 2012 - 10:30 PM.

[Frisco]

First one is a complete unknown most likely from China. Id stay well clear
Second is a Sip which are fairly ok for small diy type stuff. No mention of what size it is either.
Third one is a decent bit of kit. If its in good nick its what you want.
Forth is too small to handle thicker metal but clarke have a good name in the diy circles.

The oxford on is on a different level to the rest though. You do need to look over it properly though, they can go wrong and it's old

[Shifty]

None of the ones you've linked to!!

[tiger99]

The best place to ask is http://www.mig-weldi...forum/index.php

[tiger99]

Oh, amd I should add, forget about gasless or CO2 for welding thin metal, and the economics of disposable argon bottles are bad. It is worth getting a propeer cylinder of Argoshield Light, or equivalent from other suppliers, as it will give far better results, and is easier to use.

[sonikk4]

This question has been asked numerous times however if you have got £250 or so available then the Clarke 135TE Turbo will meet all of your needs.

2nd hand welders can be hit and miss but if thats all you can afford then go for it. Small SIP welders have a very poor duty cycle (i killed mine quite quick many years ago)

Go gas and not gasless, there are other gas suppliers out there, do use a Argon CO2 mix but you can use CO2 if you have no other choice, have a search on here. .6mm wire is enough for what you want to do on a mini and buy a 5kg spool and not the 1kg reels. .8mm will do the job as well.

[Msmith3327]

Still not sure, would this one be ok ?

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item1c2355c3d1

[1275GTS]

i've got a clarke 135TE gas mig welder. i've had it for 7 years and had no problems. My next door neighbour has a sip and has nothing but trouble. Prior to the 135te i had a 120e for 15 years and had no problems with that either. The clarke welders in my opinion are good pieces of kit.

[alex-95]

I would also go with the clarke welders, We have just bought a clarke 135te and have found it very good.
www.ebay.co.ukCLARKE-MIG-WELDER-135TE

[Msmith3327]

Unfortunatly I cant afford that much

[ibrooks]

Still not sure, would this one be ok ?

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item1c2355c3d1

I doubt it. It's a big lump so although it says single phase it probably wants a 16Amp supply (a normal household plug is 13Amp max).

You also need to be careful of the minimum current. Screwfix have been selling cheapy ones recently but their minimum current is way too high for bodywork thickness metal.

I have a Clarke 150 that's brill. SIP have a very bad reputation in recent years and my little migmate 90 that I had before was terrible. The difference when I changed to the 150 was amazing. Strictly speaking the 150 should be on a bigger power socket than a 13Amp domestic one but at the lower settings it's never blown a fuze or breaker. I have had it pop a fuze when I was welding some hefty stuff and had it turned right up.

Iain

[Shifty]

Unfortunatly I cant afford that much

Thats a common mistake.

An inexperienced welder who buys the cheapest one he can lay his hands on, he uses the welder and discovers that his welds are crap. Its not him though its the welder at fault. He then gives up and/or makes a mess of it.

Cheap crap welders are awful things to use, I hate them.

Look at the amount of money you'll save by doing it yourself, the welder is an investment, especially if you plan on being a long term mini owner.

A decent clarke with a mask will be under £300, even if you only use it once it will fetch £150-£200 on ebay. You'll get a welder thats nice to use and won't be a liabillity.

[imvarma]

I had the last one, was a good welder for all sorts of jobs, but I've just upgraded to the 135TE and as mentioned a quality weld can be obtained so much more easily I wish I'd just bought one of these in the first place...

[NuFab]

I've also got a Clarke welder, I think it's the 130 or 135, on gas. Gas supplies can be really expensive, but I found a guy in Worcester who does bottles at £25 deposit and £25 per refill, which is a bargain.

I'd agree with the sentiment about buying a good welder. I learnt to weld with mine, and it was hard enough using a brand new machine... It would have been a nightmare using one where I wasn't sure if it was working properly.