cheap mig welder

[edwardbear]

my car is more rust than car so theres no point in filling it with filler. time to get my weld on.

[andyclassics]

Whereabouts are you?

[choptop]

there:s one on rods n sods for £80 in reading ,if that's any good.

[edwardbear]

I'm in Peterborough. anything with a 20 - 30 mile radius is preferable. then i just need to learn how to use it.

[bavarianretro]

Learning to weld using a cheap mig welder - one that was cheap when it was new - is quite difficult.

If you can pick up a good quality old one cheaply, you'll find it far easier.

[andyclassics]

Make sure it'll run of 240V 13A though.

[edwardbear]

Thanks for the advice. any idea what sheet metal thickness to go for. I've no clue

[edwardbear]

www.clarkeinternational.com/shop/product/details/pro-90-mig-welder/path/diy-mig-welders
any advice on this as a possible purchase

[meltedcheese]

Not to tread on anyone's toes or anything but on the topic of welding cars and getting your experience up.

I have had good experiences with the Clarke migs 130-160amp range as they have pretty good levels of adjustment at that model size, any lower I have found the adjustment a bit limited.

The Snap-on/Cebora 130 pocket migs I have found to be pretty trusty too.

All of them can usually be found on fleabay for between £75-£250 the £75 being pretty rough though, expect to need replacement torch liner and tips whatever you get.

Hope this helps on your quest for metal sticking!

[edwardbear]

The level of adjustment seems to feature highly in my reading on the subject. How much adjustment is needed? 130 - 160 amp, is that a standard setting?

[edwardbear]

anyone use this www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/135te-turbo-mig-welder

[lewis]

Sept 22, 2015 14:01:11 GMT edwardbear said:

anyone use this www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/135te-turbo-mig-welder

I bought one of these last year and taught myself to weld with it, welded up the inner sill and welded on a repair panel to the outer and was very pleased with the results and the welder. I was able to practice then do the whole job with just the little included bottle of C02.

I used a VAT free voucher and got an auto dimming mask too.

[meltedcheese]

Sept 22, 2015 12:37:07 GMT edwardbear said:

The level of adjustment seems to feature highly in my reading on the subject. How much adjustment is needed? 130 - 160 amp, is that a standard setting?

Level of adjustment is important matey, power stages and your wire speed, 160amp up you usually looking at 6 power stages, below probably 4. Unless you get a synergic mig and it's pretty much done for you but a decent one costs.

[edwardbear]

Excellent advice all. I cant wait to have a go. I feel its going to be frustration but essentially worth it. Get to learn a new skill and hopefully save my car from disintegrating.

Now where do you buy sheet metal, how thick does it need to be and how the funk do I shape it

[andyclassics]

I check the thickness of unrusted original metal using a vernier or micrometer (remove burrs after cutting so you do not get a false reading) and replace with the same. A steel stockholder in your area (who supplies local industry) should be able to guillotine a large sheet into convenient sizes for you. Mild steel is best - if it's coated with zinc or galve the fumes are hazardous.

[edwardbear]

Apologies for resurrecting an old thread. Does anyone have a second hand welding they no longer need

[taurus]

Feb 26, 2016 12:54:23 GMT edwardbear said:

Apologies for resurrecting an old thread. Does anyone have a second hand welding they no longer need

Ah - didn't notice it was the OP still looking. I have one but it's too far from you.

[edwardbear]

How far ?

[mertzman]

I've been looking at one of these: www.machinemart.co.uk/p/pro-90-mig-welder/

Seems to be reasonable without breaking the bank

[edwardbear]

I'm looking for something under £100 for now just so I can practice. Will splurge when I have more spare cash