17 replies to this topic

[Deathrow]

I want to buy a welder so I can learn to weld and do my own work to my Mini.

However, I don't have a garage so the welder must be able to run off a standard 3 pin plug and connect to a house socket.

Does anyone know of any welders that do this and what ampage the welder will need to be in order to tackle any welding (including sills) that may need doing on my Mini in time?

I've read up on the threads that came up when I searched and as far as I know I need at least a 130 amp welder and it must be capable of going at least as low as 30 amps for the thin metal on the car.

Can anyone help me out?

[Big_Adam]

Clarke 100 amp welder. Runs gas or gasless. ~Cost me £130 odd. Runs from mains home voltage so no need for a shop transformer.

[ratty]

I use one of these

http://www.welduk.co...sp?ProductID=72

But mine has been changed to suite a euro torch and full size gas bottle

See my brown bomb thread

My welder a rebranded SIP

http://www.chippers....sc/100_0188.JPG

Gas

http://www.chippers....sc/100_0186.JPG

Edited by ratty, 18 September 2007 - 05:22 PM.

[Deathrow]

Clarke 100 amp welder. Runs gas or gasless. ~Cost me £130 odd. Runs from mains home voltage so no need for a shop transformer.

Is that heavy duty enough to weld sills and such on a Mini?

Also forgot to mention, must be able to weld gasless.

Thanks for the quick replys .

[Austin]

Ideally, you should be looking at something in the 100-130 amp range (max output). Anything 100 amp or over is going to be powerful enough for body panels/sills etc. Getting anything over 130 amp max is a bit pointless really as your standard household electricity supply wont give enough power to run it at its maximum, and if you try to run it at full amperage it can damage the welder. something like this would be the best machine, and it can be converted over to gas for about 22 quid if you wish. As i say though, a 100 amp welder will do just fine.

[Deathrow]

Ideally, you should be looking at something in the 100-130 amp range (max output). Anything 100 amp or over is going to be powerful enough for body panels/sills etc. Getting anything over 130 amp max is a bit pointless really as your standard household electricity supply wont give enough power to run it at its maximum, and if you try to run it at full amperage it can damage the welder. something like this would be the best machine, and it can be converted over to gas for about 22 quid if you wish. As i say though, a 100 amp welder will do just fine.

I looked at the specification for the welder you linked and it does say "Unit operates from 230v, 1ph power supply." which I assume means I'd need some sort of special power supply in order to use it?

I'm thinking of going for the next step down with is here.

Am I right in thinking the 130amp unit won't run off a house socket? If I am I think I'll get the one I linked as long as 100amps will be sufficient .

[minijazz]

Hi
I bought a SIP gasless for the same reasons. High & low power only
Get some scrap from a local engineering firm and weld it together to practice.
I did loads , then bought up the entire stock of mole type grips from a local cheapie Wilkinsons shop to hold the panels etc together. Passed MOT and that was floor pans , sills, heel board, various other holes , A Panels, scuttles etc and a new boot floor I put in- you know the usual mini rust spots!
The welder who taught me to weld said you should be able to write your name in weld on a piece of scrap before you play with car bits.
HTH
cheers
col

[Austin]

I looked at the specification for the welder you linked and it does say "Unit operates from 230v, 1ph power supply." which I assume means I'd need some sort of special power supply in order to use it?

No, 230v single phase is just telling you that it runs from a 230v supply as opposed to 400v three phase. The power supply in your house will be 230v. the 130 amp is the largest welder at machine mart that comes fitted withh a 13amp 3 pin plug. 100 amp will be sufficient for all bodywork on a mini.

[Deathrow]

I looked at the specification for the welder you linked and it does say "Unit operates from 230v, 1ph power supply." which I assume means I'd need some sort of special power supply in order to use it?

No, 230v single phase is just telling you that it runs from a 230v supply as opposed to 400v three phase. The power supply in your house will be 230v. the 130 amp is the largest welder at machine mart that comes fitted withh a 13amp 3 pin plug. 100 amp will be sufficient for all bodywork on a mini.

Ahh alright that's good then.

I'll make a decision later this week if I should go for the 130 or the 100, probably the 130 just in case I want to weld anything thicker in the future, saves me buying another welder later on when I could have avoided it.

Writing my name in welds on scrap sounds likea good way to determine when yuo have the correct amount of skill to start welding car bodywork. I guess it helps you master keeping your hand steady and how to set the welder up for various thickness' of metals. I expect you'll be able to see the penetration of the weld on the back of the metal aswell?

Thanks again to everyone thats helped .

Edited by Deathrow, 18 September 2007 - 06:52 PM.

[Austin]

To give you an idea of how much power you actually need for panel replacement, i use one of these:



Its 150 amp, but it has 6 power settings and ive never needed any more than the bottom two on my mini. You can see how much welding its done by clicking the link in my sig.

[Deathrow]

Just had a read through your project log, looks like it's coming along nicely . I'll be keeping my eye on that one.

I think I'm going to go for the 130, it's only an extra £20 and rather than need a new welder if I wanted to weld somthing a bit thicker later on, I'll lump it now.

Sorry to keep on about this but it really worries me, are you sure that this welder will have a normal 3 pin household plug on it? If it does I'll get one ordered tomorrow along with a reel of 0.9 flux coated wire.

Just looking at your thread, what have you sealed your welds with? Do you seal them to prevent surface rust building up before painting?

Thanks again.

[Austin]

Im 99.9% sure, but ill double check and confirm tomorrow to be sure. I just use normal seam sealer on the welds, it does hold the rust back a bit but its mainly so that the seams are smooth and there are no little nooks and crannies to hold water/rust when the car is finished. Looks better than bare welds too!

[Deathrow]

Im 99.9% sure, but ill double check and confirm tomorrow to be sure. I just use normal seam sealer on the welds, it does hold the rust back a bit but its mainly so that the seams are smooth and there are no little nooks and crannies to hold water/rust when the car is finished. Looks better than bare welds too!

Brilliant! Your a star Austin!

I look forward to getting my welder and being able to get cracking with my own Mini without the worry of expensive bills when I see some rust on her .

[Austin]

Right, im not at work today an we dont have one in stock at the moment anyway so ive called another store and asked them to get one out of its box and check. They confirm that it is definately fitted with a 3 pin plug.
The welder will come with a small roll of wire, but it doesnt last too long so its probrably best to get a spare, and there will be a mask in with it which is ok to get you started. If you are going to be doing a lot though, then it might be a good idea to get a mask like this or similar that sits on your head instead of having to hold the mask up all the time. If you have any more questions then feel free to ask.

[Deathrow]

Thanks again Austin, your help and advice has been a great help to me.

I'll order that welder when I get home from college today along with a 0.45kg reel of 0.9 flux coated wire then all I need to get is some protective gloves and some scrap steel to practice on.

Will I be ok welding in some old tatty clothes as long as they cover my arms and such?