Cheap welder advice

[johnthesparky]

We need a welder, hopefully a cheap secondhand one,

Is there much to go wrong?

Should I buy a cheap one off of eBay?

Anything I should get, or look out for?

It's about 15 years since I've welded (so hopefully it'll all come back!)

TIA
John

[skkylinedave]

Budget ?

[johnthesparky]

about £200 ish I think

[skkylinedave]

If your going to use it regulary or still thing you will use it in 10 years it might be worth getting one on tick from machine mart .

www.machinemart.co.uk/p/135te-turbo-mig-welder/

This is good but its £300 . Its popular and you can get spares easy .It will run off your 13A home supply without tripping .

Bare in mind you will need gas as well so factor that in .Best to get a non rental small bottle from somewhere like Adamgas rather than the little disposable bottles .

If thats a no look out for something like that , 130 amp models on ebay near you . Clarke and Sealey are ok as well as cebora or snap on ones . Look for ones that look well cared for and clean. Battered and dirty speak of neglect and potential problems .

You are better off avoiding SIP models as well as wolf and things you have never heard of .

Where abouts are you based?

[johnthesparky]

I'm in Buckingham,

£300 is probably a bit steep, not sure how regularly it'll get used, suspect though I've said it can on after we've built the fugitive, it will disappear into a corner and not be mentioned again.

Just looked at bottles, about £85 for a 9l (?)

[skkylinedave]

Google rent free gas bottles , quite a few companies do them like hobbyweld.

It might be worth seeing if there is a Milton Keynes buying and selling facebook group and asking on there . Sometimes thats a way of getting things very cheaply as people are getting rid of something rather than trying to get a set price .

I would keep a eye on ebay local to you as well , just had a look but not much around you .

[nomad]

Lots of good advice on the friendy mig forum www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/forums/buying-a-welder.19/
They also have a good sales section but you miught have to be a member to see that...

I got Clarke Pro-90 as it has very low settings for thin metal - with hindsight I never use the low setting so something 100 - 150 amp would have been fine.

Machine mart sometimes hold "vat free" days, worth looking into as it will save you £££ 

[johnthesparky]

Thanks,

Paragon tool hire in town do hobbygas, so that looks handy

Had a quick look on that forum, started reading a couple of threads and there is no problem with running a weird supply in and putting a ceeform socket in (I can even certify it ) so maybe if I get one of those they'd be cheaper?

There was one in Coventry, I'm working in Cov on Monday but the gun was all taped up anyway

[skkylinedave]

Stupid me JOHN THE SPARKY should have given it away ! Over about 130 amps and you need 16a supply i think [ i don't understand electrickery , its the devils work ]

Annoyingly for you and me [ i am in oxford ] , we seem to be in a blackspot for second hand equipment like that . Anywhere else you could find something reasonable but we are in the wrong area !

[fad]

YGPM

[awoo]

find a good quality secondhand one. you won't regret it. buy a cheap new one, you will regret it.

[gazzab1978]

i have a sealy mightmig 100 which i taught myself to weld with, i have just upgraded so this is sitting idle so if you want it you can have it for free, it runs on disposible bottles but can be converted to proper bottles easily enough. i would rather it went to someone who will put it to good use( and farther son bonding is the best use)
I'm only in northampton so if you want it and can collect it you can have it.

[oldntired]

That's why I like this forum. Yet again, somebody is selflessly offering to help out another enthusiast. Top marks to you gazzab1978, for your offer to this guy 👍🏽

[nomad]

^  

Sept 10, 2017 20:07:54 GMT gazzab1978 said:

it runs on disposible bottles but can be converted to proper bottles easily enough.

My Clark mig originally used the small bottles, I got a co2 regulator and now use pub co2 bottles at home and co2 fire extinguishers (they have the same fitting  ) if I need to use it away from home. You might want to try the same once you see how expensive the small bottles are   

Late edit as I found the one I bought www.weldequip.com/co2-conversion-kit.htm

[60six]

1. Never use those little bottles. You get 10-15 mins with them if you are lucky.
2. Get a large oxygen bottle from a pub, get it filled - spray shops/mechanics always know where is cheapest.
3. Buy a new helmet & gloves.
4. Buy new wire, tips and shroud if going for secondhand.
5. Amazon do next day delivery on Wire. Helped me out loads.

Argon is the best gas to use, oxygen is ok but it is messy although gets the job done. No gas? Don't ever go gasless.

Mask www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-AUTO-DARKENING-WELDING-HELMET-GRINDING-FUNCTION-WELDERS-MASK-SOLAR-POWERED-/310884810011?var=&epid=1155477567&hash=item48622dbd1b:m:mAJAfJ8LxK-50oVv1TSr4sA

Gloves www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Wenaas-Odin-6-6490-Tig-Mig-Welders-Gauntlets-Extended-Cuffs-Welding-Gloves-10-/172301263860?epid=1069652540&hash=item281df4a3f4:g:fmIAAOSwHJhXNKfq

ALWAYS switch your phone off when welding. The world and his wife will call you, but only when right under the car


*** REPLACE THE WORD OXYGEN WITH CO2! Apologies

[Darkspeed]

That would be Carbon Dioxide and not Oxygen - Oxygen would be a bit dangerous.
Also Ar/CO2 mix for MIG - Argon on its own is terrible.

[fad]

Sept 11, 2017 7:40:39 GMT Darkspeed said:

That would be Carbon Dioxide and not Oxygen - Oxygen would be a bit dangerous.
Also Ar/CO2 mix for MIG - Argon on its own is terrible.

He looked for CO2 but when he got to the shop the shop keeper said all the bottles argon...


I'll get my coat.

[Darkspeed]

Sept 11, 2017 7:48:32 GMT fad said:

Sept 11, 2017 7:40:39 GMT Darkspeed said:

That would be Carbon Dioxide and not Oxygen - Oxygen would be a bit dangerous.
Also Ar/CO2 mix for MIG - Argon on its own is terrible.

He looked for CO2 but when he got to the shop the shop keeper said all the bottles argon...


I'll get my coat.

Whatever...

[fad]

Ooohh someone grumpy this morning? ;-)

[fastblatt]

Argon co2 mix is the best for steel. It is worth paying out for a 9 - 10 litre bottle and a good regulator. Last for ages and gives better welds.