14 replies to this topic

[Neilos]

Hi,

Looking into taking my mini into the bodyshop to get work done.

The guys have told me that at the end of the day, to do the work properly to de-rust my car would be to completly change the rusty panels...so...

Ive bought the following

2 x wings
2 x A panels
1 x front end
2 x door steps
2 x outer sills

Ive got no experience in welding proffessionally, but have done some as part of my apprenticeship.

Ive put the panels together to see how they fit, and to be honest im tempted to buy a welder and have a go myself.

Im thinking that i can spot weld and maybe mig?

Any adfvice? Or is it the safest option just to get the bodyshop to do the work?

Thanks for any advice

[captain kirk]

be brave give it ago, it would be a lot cheaper!!!!!!!!!!!

[sway]

I concur!

Get yourself a welder and practice on some steel sheet and then give it a go.

It really doesn't take too long to get a feel for it and you can clean up your welds with an angry grinder if they look messy, just so long as they are strong.

You know you want to!

[Neilos]

quality!

so ive basically got a whole front end? Where do i begin?

I know what u mean about cost. Im looking at about 2k for the bodywork!

Has anyone done bodywork being a novice?

What are these gasless mig welders like?

[captain kirk]

quality!

so ive basically got a whole front end? Where do i begin?

I know what u mean about cost. Im looking at about 2k for the bodywork!

Has anyone done bodywork being a novice?

What are these gasless mig welders like?

id never used a mig before i brought one,got a big sheet of steel for 7.00 from the local motor shop, a bit of practice, and of you go its not that hard just time consuming. mine a gas mig which i think are better

[Surfbluegarage]

get ya self to machine mart and get a clarke 90 or above with gas.. thats what ive got and ive welded many a minis with it ann never looked back. only bout £150

[sway]

Gasless welders are fine in their place. Quite good outdoors as the shielding gas doesn't get blown away.

However a properly set up MIG with co2/argon gas is much nicer to use. They don't spit as much and they produce a neater weld too. Perhaps slightly more expensive to run but sooooo worth it!

[captain kirk]

Gasless welders are fine in their place. Quite good outdoors as the shielding gas doesn't get blown away.

However a properly set up MIG with co2/argon gas is much nicer to use. They don't spit as much and they produce a neater weld too. Perhaps slightly more expensive to run but sooooo worth it!

i agree

[sway]

get ya self to machine mart and get a clarke 90 or above with gas.. thats what ive got and ive welded many a minis with it ann never looked back. only bout £150

I have a Clarke 90 which I bought about 12 years ago because it was cheap and its still going strong!

Machine Mart are having a VAT free day soon too

[Surfbluegarage]

i'll look forward to gettin my voucher through the post again.lol i go most vat free days well worth it gettin that little bit off loads of items.

[sway]

I got mine this morning!!

[brianmini]

I got mine this morning!!

I got emailed a voucher code, sweet! Went nuts and ordered the 151TE, with the discount it covered delivery and i got a jogler with hole punch free basically.

[davej]

Do it yourself, thats what I`m doing and like you I`m a novice, I`m borrowing my mates mig and just giving it a go. Once you`ve done it once you`ll be able to do it again and will have a hell of a lot more satisfaction out of it at the end of the day. Good luck

[analogue_radio]

How often do these VAT free days come around? & did I miss the last one?

[miniallsort]

go for it mate im doing mine at the moment went to machine mart on the vat free day and got myself the 135te welder