Retro & Rusty
New Member
- Messages
- 13
- Location
- Manchester
Hi all, thanks for having me on the forum! I was sent here from Retro Rides as I am looking to get into welding to save my old Ford Escort mk3 and Capri mk3 (which is in better condition).
I'm trying to figure out if I should buy a second hand Clarke or Sealey welder (guessing around 150 amps?) or buy something new or go on a course first?
I see lots of people saying these machines are fine to start and then people mention how Rtec welders have changed their welding but also how it could be a waste of money for a novice just starting? My budget is in the lower bracket too unless it was absolutely necessary to buy a welder like this/new one. Hopefully If I tell you all my situation you can advice me on what to look for?
So... I would have to weld on my driveway which is probably not the best place but at the moment there isnt many other options for me unless something changes. I have done a fair few jobs on this little driveway such as removing all the Capris rear axle and about to do the Escorts suspension so i'm hoping I could start with the little jobs on the Escort in the winter to see how I get on e.g. cutting/welding a patch out of the sill , to see how I get on/how much the neighbours hate me. This Car is my main priority as i use it lots, love it and it will need sorting for the next MOT plus... I dont want it to fall into mega disrepair where I need to sell it for nothing.
Jobs that need doing on the Escort are: Inner wing(s), patch to inner and outer passenger sill, floor behind the drivers seat looks bad inside (not sure if someone has welded a floor over the original ?) and the passenger side isnt far behind it. I know you can buy new floors but this looks a wild job for someone to begin with? I was going to get someone down here in London do it but the price is going to get mad and i'm not a money bags. I've owned this car for 8 years and had a done of welding done when I lived up north for cheaper but, I feel like maybe its time to step up to the challenge or at least try it as its something thats fascinated me for a while. The ability to weld my own Cars like this would make me sleep a bit easier I think even if its just sorting out the small bits.
The other thing is, both of these Cars have been Waxoyld which I know is flammable and a pain to get off so whats the best course of action here? Dont want a fire outside my rented house haha!
Lastly I've been looking for welding courses as my Girlfriend is worried that buying a machine/PPE and watching youtube videos/having a go on old metal isnt a good idea. I've found a one day course at Allied Welding in Essex which might be useful plus a college level 1 course near me in London but, I think I might struggle with keeping it up with work. What do people think?
Here are a few pics of the jobs and work area .
This is the inner wing passenger side. I know you can get these panels and was told by a welder he would try and leave the outer wing alone and just replace the panel from the inside?
I coated the floor with some Krust stuff earlier this year just to try and give me a few more months . I think its had half floors in before as those seems run down the floor.
Again space wise, this is when I did a load on my Capri's axle. The Escort Lives next to it where the leaf springs are.
Both Cars in there full glory...The bonnet is always up on the Capri haha.
I'm trying to figure out if I should buy a second hand Clarke or Sealey welder (guessing around 150 amps?) or buy something new or go on a course first?
I see lots of people saying these machines are fine to start and then people mention how Rtec welders have changed their welding but also how it could be a waste of money for a novice just starting? My budget is in the lower bracket too unless it was absolutely necessary to buy a welder like this/new one. Hopefully If I tell you all my situation you can advice me on what to look for?
So... I would have to weld on my driveway which is probably not the best place but at the moment there isnt many other options for me unless something changes. I have done a fair few jobs on this little driveway such as removing all the Capris rear axle and about to do the Escorts suspension so i'm hoping I could start with the little jobs on the Escort in the winter to see how I get on e.g. cutting/welding a patch out of the sill , to see how I get on/how much the neighbours hate me. This Car is my main priority as i use it lots, love it and it will need sorting for the next MOT plus... I dont want it to fall into mega disrepair where I need to sell it for nothing.
Jobs that need doing on the Escort are: Inner wing(s), patch to inner and outer passenger sill, floor behind the drivers seat looks bad inside (not sure if someone has welded a floor over the original ?) and the passenger side isnt far behind it. I know you can buy new floors but this looks a wild job for someone to begin with? I was going to get someone down here in London do it but the price is going to get mad and i'm not a money bags. I've owned this car for 8 years and had a done of welding done when I lived up north for cheaper but, I feel like maybe its time to step up to the challenge or at least try it as its something thats fascinated me for a while. The ability to weld my own Cars like this would make me sleep a bit easier I think even if its just sorting out the small bits.
The other thing is, both of these Cars have been Waxoyld which I know is flammable and a pain to get off so whats the best course of action here? Dont want a fire outside my rented house haha!
Lastly I've been looking for welding courses as my Girlfriend is worried that buying a machine/PPE and watching youtube videos/having a go on old metal isnt a good idea. I've found a one day course at Allied Welding in Essex which might be useful plus a college level 1 course near me in London but, I think I might struggle with keeping it up with work. What do people think?
Here are a few pics of the jobs and work area .
This is the inner wing passenger side. I know you can get these panels and was told by a welder he would try and leave the outer wing alone and just replace the panel from the inside?
I coated the floor with some Krust stuff earlier this year just to try and give me a few more months . I think its had half floors in before as those seems run down the floor.
Again space wise, this is when I did a load on my Capri's axle. The Escort Lives next to it where the leaf springs are.
Both Cars in there full glory...The bonnet is always up on the Capri haha.