13 replies to this topic

[rod998]

Im looking to buy a welder, just for basic repairs on my mini...
Im looking to spend upto £100...is there anything decent i can get for that kind of money...or any recommendations?
Thanks in advance

[RawlinsGTR]

I'm sure you could find a nice used one for that money..

I'm not sure on people's views of machinemart, but here is a table of the ones they sell as 'DIY/Hobby MIG Welders'. (They're gas welders, which are the most recommended to go with)

http://www.machinema...bby-mig-welders

Bear in mind for the prices shown on there that you get everything in order to start welding immediately:
"CO2 gas, regulator, mild steel wire, torch assembly, earth clamp, face shield."

Hope this helps.

Simon.

[sonikk4]

Try these
http://www.ebay.co.u...6#ht_500wt_1156
http://www.ebay.co.u...f#ht_539wt_1185

Or a Clarke 135TE Turbo

I know the welders say collection only but if you got them cheap enough then a courier would not be that expensive. You won't get a brand new one for £100 so second hand is the way forward here.

[grahama]

I agree, that's how I got mine, waited till one was close enough, went down and saw it working. Hours of service later still going strong. Mine is a clarke pro 90 and great for thinner metal. Just remember to practice first !!

[rod998]

Thanks for the info...ill definately be looking into these ones.
Thanks again.

[Sam Walters]

Seriously dont worry about buying second hand.

I have a clarke 170t i think? Its 15 years old at least. welded up a good 30 cars and has not missed a beat once since either my dad or i have been using it.

[stretters]

I agree, that's how I got mine, waited till one was close enough, went down and saw it working. Hours of service later still going strong. Mine is a clarke pro 90 and great for thinner metal. Just remember to practice first !!

I aquired a Pro 90 last summer seems to work ok, I found a local firm who supplied an old pub bottle of Co2 and purchased a regulator and link pipe to suit it.

Now about to start on a weldathon and was wondering what sort of settings you use for various jobs? Will mostly be butt welding, spot mig'ing and seam welding.

Would defo recommend the Pro 90, with practise welds done so far. Just need to fine tune my skills!

Darryl.

[orangeboy]

ive had a clarke 90pro and now got a 135 te turbo. they have both been great. The 135 is the best and it has done some graft too and still going strong

[JonnyBMX]

yeah as above the clarke ones seem to be highly recommended for a cheap but good reliable welder, i have a portamig but that was a little more then the clarkes and from what ive heard and seen the clarke ones do the job well.. just ensure not to get a gasless welder :)

[grahama]

Daryl,

For butt welding I generally use 2 and min with a 6 - 7 wire speed. Plug welds the same but hold on longer. When I hold the butt welding on too long, and I still do, I knock it back to 1 and max, lower wire speed down to 5, and blob some in the holes, then turn back up and make sure it is all seamed up properly. Anything thicker than the bodywork and it's up to max and a quicker wire speed.

Do some practicing first and you will pick it up quick enough, I was a beginner when I sterted and am now up to bodger level, lol.

Graham

[tiger99]

I would recommend having a look at http://www.mig-welding.co.uk. You can learn a lot there, not just advice on what to buy.

[dangerousdowning]

I did the same and purchased a used mig off ebay, so I could take my time and save money. I have no plans to ever sell my mini, so owning a mig is like owning a socket set if you have a mini.
I brought a Wolf weld Turbo Mig 135 for £80 in the summer and it's more than paid for itself.

[Msmith3327]

I did the same, waited 2 months to find one the right price in the right location, eventually got a Clarke 151 for £90. Will start using it soon so will keep an eye on this thread for wire and settings tips

[stretters]

Daryl,

For butt welding I generally use 2 and min with a 6 - 7 wire speed. Plug welds the same but hold on longer. When I hold the butt welding on too long, and I still do, I knock it back to 1 and max, lower wire speed down to 5, and blob some in the holes, then turn back up and make sure it is all seamed up properly. Anything thicker than the bodywork and it's up to max and a quicker wire speed.

Do some practicing first and you will pick it up quick enough, I was a beginner when I sterted and am now up to bodger level, lol.

Graham

Cheers Graham, It's in the rough ball park of what i'm trying at the mo. I'll get my dad to cut out the rotten metal tomorrow, while I have another quick practice!!!

I would recommend having a look at http://www.mig-welding.co.uk. You can learn a lot there, not just advice on what to buy.

Cheers Tiger, I'll give the site a look over now before bed.

Thanks again,

Darryl