What should I look for in a Mig welder?

[nomad]

Hi & welcome, I was in same situation and got a small Clarke (cheaper than paying to get the Sierra sills welded for MOT) 

Try "Search" on the forum Lots of good advice here
retrorides.proboards.com/thread/153406/buying-welder

... or look on a *very* helpful & novice-friendly MIG forum
www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/forums/buying-a-welder.19/
- then join so you can look at their "for sale" section
or go direct to one of the main dealers on that forum (Weldequipe) - who sells Clarke cheaper than Machine Mart
I've used him and like the service a lot!
www.weldequip.com/mig-welders.htm

Have fun!

[wotnot]

Thanks everyone for all your help, I settled on this which doesn't tick all the boxes but is on budget and just needs gas, and a better mask.:

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mig-welder-Clarke-151-turbo-no-gas-gas-with-extras-/131107706901

Hopefully it will get me through this project and I'll get most of my money back post-MoT!! I can buy a nicer machine when I have spare cash.

Wish me luck! I'll post pics of first attempts here

[grumpy]

Feb 5, 2014 22:45:52 GMT LowStandards said:

Not sure why big power = better feed? Or power adjustment for that matter

I'm saying don't get hung up on POWER!!111!!!

Most (especially cheaper - op is talking £200 here) ones that do big amps don't go low enough

The more expensive a machine the more adjustment it will have , simple really . The more expensive machines have more amps , and they do go low enough .

[grumpy]

Feb 6, 2014 16:32:15 GMT grumpy said:

Feb 5, 2014 22:45:52 GMT LowStandards said:

Not sure why big power = better feed? Or power adjustment for that matter

I'm saying don't get hung up on POWER!!111!!!

Most (especially cheaper - op is talking £200 here) ones that do big amps don't go low enough

The more expensive a machine the more adjustment it will have , simple really . The more expensive machines have more amps , and they do go low enough .

I have been welding 18 years , i know .

[LowStandards]

I give up, go buy a cheap 180amp machine and enjoy

[grumpy]

Really , whats the point in that post ? I'm just trying to help someone and your trolling .

[wotnot]

Just got off the phone with the seller. For £180 I get the Clarke 151 turbo welder, regulator for small bottles, big gloves, lots of new tips, wire, freebie mask and also a very comfy looking auto dimming visor. Of course I'd like a better quality machine and a euro torch etc etc but on my budget it was always gonna be a compromise. I've got a bit left over to get a full size regulator and I'm told these welders work nice and smoothly, and weld well enough using argon mix, which what I plan to do.

Find out tomorrow if it's a pup.

[Deleted]

Feb 6, 2014 19:36:06 GMT wotnot said:

regulator for small bottles,

Bin the regulator and disposable bottle, spend a few quid on a big bottle buying outright (avoid the 'rentfree' advertised ones as they want a hefty deposit and find a local independent supplier that's not tied to promotional flashy companies ) and get a decent regulator which will cost £50 but will last a long time and has better adjustment, yes it does cost money but with a disposable bottle lasting less than 10 minutes you will soon recoup your outlay.

It cost me £100 for a 9 litre bottle (refills cost 45) and the reg cost £50 but at the cost of 10 disposable bottles it has lasted me several weeks of welding. (I can empty a 600m disposable in around 7-8 minutes)

[grumpy]

That sounds like a really good deal with all the extras thrown in , it will be more than good enough for what you need and as a bonue new and not 2nd hand . It might be able to take a better euro torch if and when you need to replace it . Keep the thread going it would be good to have a thread on someone starting to weld and new kit , seen as it not been covered .

[sal]

That machine shouldn't cause you any problems. I've go a similar Clarke model and it copes with welding old vauxhalls nicely.

Definitely go for a large bottle of argon mix it makes a big difference. I used a couple of disposables for practice when I first got it and got reasonable results but with a "proper" set up it was a lot easier to work with and the welds were a lot neater.

Best of luck and enjoy

[jjbjoinery]

for gas, have a look at the volkszone offer, its still going, but you gotta be a member of volkszone and mention it specifically as very few of the staff know about it

[datman]

Ive had a couple of new welders, the worst probably being the SIP 170. Absolutely dreadful. Went to a proper welding shop and asked for the most beat up old heavy clunker of a machine they had sitting about, they wheeled out a Hobart 150. They hooked it up and let me do some welds with it. It was beautiful. £150 and it was mine. That was 15 years ago. Its still running like a dream. SO in my opinion, a good old fashioned nicely built welder is better than a shiny new cheap one, if you are on a budget and don;t mind travelling or taking longer to find one thats going to do the job.

[grumpy]

Any news/

[boyd]

Hi I am not far away ( Sutton Coldfield ) Similar position to you I have some welding on a W124 E class (1993 ) to do
Inner wing / jacking Points Rear sill / wheelarch. I would be interested to hear how your getting on maybe even pop over to see if your welding? I am just about to buy similar looked at the Clarke but at moment am looking at a sealey supermig 150 second hand as they got a good write up in recent Car mechanics they reckoned it was slightly better than the clarke .
I am halfway through my Level 1 Mig Welding at Nightschool got my auto darkening mask & Gloves currently welding nice clean flat 1.5mm using a Big Murex and 0.8 wire I'm sure it isnt going to be so easy on the 124 :-)
Boyd

[wotnot]

Hi all,

Not much progress on the welding , I have been putting my time into rebuilding front suspension, and wrestling with a new heater matrix. I might as well start a little thread on this car as Its turned into a pretty thorough overhaul.

Boyd, that would be cool Ill pm you my number. You're welcome to visit and try your hand with this Clarke before you buy anything. If you're patient you can buy mine when I'm done LOL!

I just took delivery of a new sill panel and some genuine MB jacking points. I only need the ends if the sills so I can use the middle for other plates.
Ok will start sifting brought pictures to get a thread up to date before he welding lessons begin !

[boyd]

Yes would love to come over and see your project and any welding I am currently bidding on a couple of welders on Ebay so might have one soon . I am starting to fabricate the metal to cover the holes / weld in , unfortunately that will take me some time to get the metal (zintec) and then form it ready to weld in (the scary bit )

[duncanmartin]

Boyd
It is worth seeing if any welding supplies places local to you have any secondhand machines. I got a nice old 150A murex with a proper regulator for £200 by phoning around (and had a go at using it before buying as well).