Welding?

[Newtomud]

I'm thinking of buying a welder and teaching myself to use it.. Any tips on make and model, power output, dual purpose or not would be appreciated

[Henry]

What do you want to do with it?


Arc or MIG?


I have an old Arc, an inverter arc (handy little tool) and a big 3 phase MIG and a smaller mig. Both are good.

[Newtomud]

What do you want to do with it?


Arc or MIG?


I have an old Arc, an inverter arc (handy little tool) and a big 3 phase MIG and a smaller mig. Both are good.

Just a few patches around the boot floor and rear arches to start with.. Been told a mig welder would be best?

[Henry]

Yes to do body work you will need a mig.


Whats your budget. i always find that with any welder.... the more you spend the better you get is oh so true!

[Newtomud]

Ref budget I've seen new wolf migs on ebay for £150.. I'm guessing they're crap?
I'm watching a sip migmate pro 170 on ebay.. 1hr 45 mins to go,£82 at the mo.
Seen loads of clarke 90/100 etc all for about a ton.(second hand)
I guess I don't want to spend a fortune till I know if I can use it,then maybe I could upgrade?
Just had another look on ebay..
Clarke 90en £182.38.. Item number 160632621132.
Clarke 100en £199.78. Item number 160632618353.
Clarke 150te £276.48. Item number 160632618396.... Says the RRP is £524.34??? (I don't believe everything I read)
All new.

[ScottieJ]

Don't get a gasless only mig. MIG with a sheiding gas will produce much nicer, cleaner and stronger welds.

SIP mig mates are good little welders but can sometimes have issues with the wire feed, can't really go wrong with clarke either if your on a budget, you don't need anything above 170A unless you are going to be welding over 4/5mm steel.

[Newtomud]

Don't get a gasless only mig. MIG with a sheiding gas will produce much nicer, cleaner and stronger welds.

SIP mig mates are good little welders but can sometimes have issues with the wire feed, can't really go wrong with clarke either if your on a budget, you don't need anything above 170A unless you are going to be welding over 4/5mm steel.

I just edited my last post with some new info/prices etc.(As you answered the post). All Clarke brand new?

[dan_2k_uk]

cant really advise you on a machine apart from the fact that my cebora mig 140 is fine.

just thought I would say that you need to factor in the cost of gas/wire etc into your first purchase. A 10L canister of gas was £55 with a £55 deposit on the canister on top of that and 5kg of wire is about £15-£20

Dan

[mk1joe]

i recomend the £150 ebay wolf. this is the one i bought to learn on, i thought it might be cheap crap but turned out to be faultless. before i went to buy a clarke but was advised buy another customer not to because he had 3 break on him. the wolf comes with a starter pack with everything you need to start welding including gass, but i would recomend buying thiner wire than the 0.8mm it comes with (i didnt but now i wish i did)
good luck
joe

[Edweird]

The one I've got is a 90 amp, and I struggle to weld much beyond bodywork and full power.