Buying a welder

[dunk11]

Hello all,

I have been reading around quite a bit, and just looking for a few trusted suggestions. Basically I have £300 for a new welder setup, will mainly be used for light repairs on my MGB, but would like to be able to do some thicker stuff incase the need arises underneather any rust I find etc.

I have been looking at MIGs with 30amp min power upto 110-150amp maxes, and keep seeing dual gas/no gas welders. For my money would I be best off buying a simple gas only MIG, 30-150amp range, something like the Clarke range?

Also does anyone have any recommendations for any specific welder (or online deals) that I would be wise to go for or ignore? I'm pretty new to welding so any help welcomed. I appreacite this isn't a lot for a welding setup, but aslong as I can get the wleder and ideally a regulator and decent size gas bottle for about £300 I'd be happy.

So - worth ignoring gasless and dual-purpose? And any suggestions?

Thanks!!! Duncan

[wagoneer]

Don't go gasless. No gas welding wire has the gas shield component built in and it's not supposed to be anywhere near as good as a proper gas supply. Also as you've suggested, buying a bigger bottle is a very good idea. The hobby bottles are an expensive route if you plan to do any amount of welding.
I can't advise on what to buy as I've only bought 1, a SIP, and it get very bad reviews. I have modified the wire feed on it as per some guidance from the very excellent www.mig-welding.co.uk/ which is a good place to start for tips etc.

Good luck, enjoy it!

[hairymel]

Jul 2, 2013 15:52:33 GMT wagoneer said:

www.mig-welding.co.uk/ is a good place to start

gasless has a place if you can only weld outside, or you will need to be creative with windbreaks you generally get better/easier results using gas though.

cheapest option for gas is plain co2 from your local friendly publican or pub supply shop, but you are better off spending a bit more and getting a no rent bottle of co2/argon mix if only doing a bit, or perhaps the BOC 'volkzone' offer if you are using your welder a lot.

you also need to add a big regulator, gloves, auto mask , wire and grinder and discs to your budget - i would think you will need £150-200 for this inc. mixed gas!

clarke welders seem to be ok, sip is a bit rubbish.

a second hand pro mig with euro(removable) torch is probably best (if you can wait for a good/cheapish one to appear) but i have used a clarke 90amp hobby mig with good results.

[Dave_Q]

I got this Clarke from Machine Mart on one of their regular 'VAT free' offers so was just under £200 quid.

If you don't already get emails with offers from Machine Mart you can sign up for them on the website somewhere.

It comes with gasless wire but you just need the other wire and some gas to switch it over.

I doubt it could weld the 6mm claimed but would be fine for car bodywork.

You could use the rest of your budget to get a big gas bottle and a decent helmet.

[optimusprime]

I've got a 100amp Clarke turbo, had for nigh on 15yrs, still going strong (although to be fair it doesn't get used day in day out) Plus i can always pop down to machine mart and get any spare bits for it.
Forget Gasless unless you really have to, the wire is more expensive,the results are poorer compared to gassed,and you get loads of spatter.
Budget for the regulator and Gas cylinder. shop around in your area.
And best advice .... get a decent earth clamp .......

[dunk11]

Thanks for all you advice and experiences with the different welders. Will be used in a garage so will stick to gas MIG

Will keep an eye out for the offers, sounds like most would be fine for my use (as long as it goes down to low enough amps), only going to be for occasional light use really and a bit of work on the resto so will keep my eyes open for the open you have suggested.

Hopefully find a decent one for ~200-250 and get a big bottle of gas, auto mask and other bits on top. It's for a birthday present so aslong as I get the majority of the stuff, I can get the other bits myself.

Thanks again! Duncan

[nomad]

RR "Search" is the new Google

retrorides.proboards.com/thread/142160/all-welding-gurus-out

retrorides.proboards.com/thread/142206/first-welder

Read, digest, always welcome to ask any questions

PM me if you decide to go for Clarke, have found a dealer who gives great service & better prices than MM

DO EET !

[Roy Royson]

I started out with gasless whilst I was waiting for a regulator/bottle, it was okay, the two main pros of it are that it can be used outside and that the metal doesn't need to be AS clean, however shielding gas is far superior. With gasless the puddle doesnt seem to "flow" as well and on thin metal its rubbish because the start/stop technique is hard due to the slag not allowing you to start an arc until its chipped off.
I also have a SIP which as above get bad reviews but I've also modified the wire feed mechanism and it works pretty well now, and it was cheap - when it breaks I'll get a clarke.

[gtste]

I've used both the little Clarke Hobby welders (Gasless, I have one at home), And a big Sealey (I think) welder, with COOGAR Gas (Just an argon mix).

My welds are always neater (In my case, still not very neat!) with the gassed welder, and less clean-up is needed due to less slag being produced. But the little Clarke welder has done all I've asked it to do so far, Being that i can only weld outside at home, Gasless is the only option for me, and up to now it's served me well.

I can see the advantages of gassed welding, and if I could, I'd definitely use gas myself. But personally I don't see any proper advantage for the hobbyist who's just starting out to invest in loads of expensive gas equipment !

[spongebob]

Hi I'm not sure were your located but if your anywere near manchester imselling my clarke 160 turbo mig that ive only had a few months. Ive only used it to weld my friends exhaust. I bought it for a project that never came off. Its got 3 quarters of a roll of steel wire and whats left of a small co2 argon bottle. Also nearly new welding gloves. Only asking £250 to get back what i paid myself.

[bavarianretro]

Get this bought. Absolute bargain:-

www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=41665

[Dave_Q]

I have just received another machine mart code for 20% off Clarke products between 5th and 15th July.

Drop me a PM if you want me to send it to you.

[dunk11]

Thanks again fro all the advice and opinions. I really want to buy soemthing new as its a present, but thanks anyway spongebob.

Sounds like a Clarke might be on the cards... PM coming your way dink!!

[thorne]

I bought a Clarke pro 90 a few months back and would highly recommend it, I'd never welded before buying it so can't compare it to any other welder, but seems pretty user friendly and gets the job done, I would suggest getting a decent mask though, the one they supply with the machine is curse word

[dunk11]

Thanks again for all the help!! And especially dinkfor the discount code!

Just ordered a Clarke 151TE, a decent arc activated mask and a spare gas bottle.

Will probably end up converting to full size cylinders when I'm ready to do some major welding on the car (have regulators and tubing available for free anyway )

Look forward to the thread entitled 'ouch.... something went wrong'