Welder advice

[David_17]

I was going to borrow a welder from a mate, but thinking i'll probably need one in the future too, so going to buy one.

People who know what you're talking about - What are your thoughts on this http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/...0030&ts=24128#

[AshG]

the current doesn't go low enough or high enough. you need something that can go from 35amps up to 150amps minimum.

[David_17]

Doh. What about this one. Is gassless any good?

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/pr...in-mig-welders

[Tatey]

I have the Clarke 151EN, its a good little welder, I use it with gas, which requires buying a proper regulator and finding a gas supplier, the regulators cost about £44.

Don't go for gasless as its much harder than gas welding and you end up with slag which you have to get rid of.

I managed to get my welder for £95, and then a regulator, gas bottle, co2, new tips, shrouds, swan neck, 5kg of wire for £200 all in, including the welder.

[David_17]

from ebay?

[Tatey]

The consumables (tips, shroud, wire) as well as the swan neck, new gas valve and the regulator I got from weldequip on the mig welding forum:

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/shop/

He's a very friendly guy and if you're not sure what you need then give him a shout and he will know what you need, he really knows his stuff.

If you are thinking of buying a brand new welder then get it from him as he is highly recommended.

I managed to get my welder (used) from a bloke on ad trader. It had a few problems like a sticking gas valve and a broken swan neck, (cost £30 to get new parts), but i guess that's what comes with buying something which you don't already know the ins and outs of, however I'm glad I bought it.

I bought myself an autodarkening helmet for £40 from ebay, its a Parweld helmet and comes highly recommended, I've always used on from the beginning and it makes your life a lot easier, as you know you're going to be welding in the right place. I leant it to HandyAndy just as he was about to finish his chassis, he really wished he bought one to start with .

Don't get me wrong, the costs do add up, however once you are setup, the welder keeps its value. I am still on the same reel of wire, the same tip, same shroud and my second pub sized bottle of CO2, i've done quite a lot of welding with it and it certainly beats my £40 arc welder from aldi .

[Enoch]

I broke with tradition on my build and went arc. I bought a cheapo inverter welder off the bay of e that goes from nothing up to 200 amps I did most of the chassis at about 85, the rear uprights and roll bar at about 130 and the 1mm side panels at about 55. The machine does Tig as well as arc, it comes with everything apart from a gas bottle for tig and cost 140 quid delivered. It strikes at high frequency and gives a really nice quality weld, get it right and the slag virtually falls off so chipping after welding is not needed. Might be worth thinking about. I know most people here like mig, I have never tried it so can't give a comparison.
Enoch.

[twinturbo]

I never botherd with a big bottel. I just use Machine Mart Clarke Extra Fill, I don't know what they do to them, I think there is a secret pipe from the gas plant as they last much much longer than the regular bottles and only cost a quid or so more.

TT

[twinturbo]

I have a clarke, It was given to me by the insurance company to replace my SIP. I have never been particularly happy with it, mainly a poor wirefeed after being laid up.

TT

[gingea1pom]

I am no welding expert, got my NVQ level 2 in 2003 paid for by the Army,

My Clarky 150TE has lasted me well, it requires a bit of TLC now and again.

I really want to learn how to TIG just imagine how much I could over engineer things then.

Cheers Ginge