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 .