A MIG for my Bug...

[andy198712]

Hello,

First post!

my experience of welding is a bit in college 10 years ago, that was MIG, and i own an ARC welder (cheap) i've done a bit of exhaust work with but it has it limits and i want something for body work on my classic beetle.

this won't be used a great deal to be honest, just spurts here and there.
i'm thinking gas is the way to go, probably look at a no rental bottle.

i've looked at the WOLF 140 http://www.ukhs.tv/Workshop/Welders/Combination-Gas-No-Gas-MIG-140-Welder-and-Kit, i think i'd rather a reg with gauges and a flip down auto darkening hat but....

i have a budget of up to 400 pounds but want to include the bottle with that, so about 300 for the welder, although i need to speak to my local motor factors about a bit of forces discount on the bottle....

i don't mind second hand but being in cornwall, I've not seen much come up on eBay lately other then welders that look like they have been left outside for 6 years....

any input? i like the look of the gas smart mig though, here for 299 http://www.ebay.com/itm/111947797848


Any thoughts? for the beetle it would be body work and a bit of chassis too... 13A plug too.

Thanks

Andy

 

[cumbriasteve]

Welcome to the forum:

My first bit of advice would be don't buy the Wolf, I was unlucky enough to own one once and it was a challenging machine to use to say the least.

GYS are rated as good machines, although all the reviews I have seen have been for the 160 amp which sells for around the £350 mark, it has a euro torch, not an essential but a nice to have., I would hope the 140 is made to the same standard but personally don't know.

 

[andy198712]

Hi,

i just noticed that 142 only goes down to 40 amps, and apparently 30 is good for thin body work right?

yeah euro torch would be nice but i don't think that 142 has it... so thats the 142 and the wolf out the running

i might pop into the local motor factors tomorrow and see what they can offer from their suppliers. with a discount maybe

i did look at the 160 one in the link at the top of the page, it doesn't leave much money for a bottle, reg and face mask though....

cheers for the input, saved me some money there! what about the sealey machines?

 

[cumbriasteve]

what about the clarke machines?

Loved by some and hated by others, however I own a Clarke 135 and it is a brilliant little welder and of course they have been used for many years by car restorers.

If you decide on one of those give me a shout, I have a VAT free for machine Mart.

Edit: I did have a VAT free, it's just been bagged but someone else on here had one going.

 

[andy198712]

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/135te-turbo-mig-welder/

that one there right? looks good.... easy to use a bigger bottle on if needed?

Tempting at the vat free price too! thank you! will think that one over

 

[cumbriasteve]

Yes that's the one.

@Freddy0309 This is the other kind hearted member who has a VAT free if you want one.

 

[cumbriasteve]

To use a big bottle you just need an adaptor that costs about a fiver, it converts the narrow fixed tube to fit a standard big bottle regulator

 

[andy198712]

cool thanks very much, very helpful! will look into this a little more and check out the local shops, failing that i'll give you a shout on the vat free!
cheers
Andy

 

[Gareth J]

I used an old 150 Clarke for a bug resto a good few yrs back. It worked satisfactorily despite being very second hand and I still use it for the odd bit of stainless. No where near as nice to use as an industrial quality machine but very functional and for me, pretty reliable.

Based on my experience, I wouldn't be afraid of buying an ugly looking second hand one but I understand buying in the SW isn't quick process and that a machine under warranty is nice.

What year bug?

 

[Freddy0309]

Sorry just seen I've been tagged I've sent a pm it's still available if you need it

 

[andy198712]

Thanks guys!

Pm replied to very kind!

The bug is a 72 1200 with a 2110cc efi engine I built it's not much of a looker but it runs! (Mostly)

 

[Chris Stevens]

I used to do restoration work for a VW specialist and needless to say did a lot of Beetles. They arent that easy to repair, and would say you would find things a great deal easier if you had something like a Murex Tradesmig, with wire feed pulse, and a decent wire feed system. Its possible to do the job with DIY type machine, but just easier with something more heavy duty. Couple of months ago I bought an ESAB welding set from Noth Yorkshire (Im Southampton), and seller was good enough to take it along to LWS who tested it for me, and saved any need for an expensive journey. Worked perfectly, and came down to me via way of a customer who was delivering a bike.................

 

[andy198712]

I know what your saying but I need to draw the line money wise somewhere too...
On that note my new 135TE should arrive very soon very big thank you to Freddy on the discount!!!!
And the staff at Plymouth machine mart were top notch, Edward his name was I think. Very helpful

 

[Wozzaaah]

Chris has got this strange notion that you can't weld to an acceptable standard with anything less than a professional quality machine.
That 135 will do you perfectly.

 

[Chris Stevens]

Chris has got this strange notion that you can't weld to an acceptable standard with anything less than a professional quality machine.
That 135 will do you perfectly.

You can strip and rebuild an engine with cheap Chinese tools from Ebay. Personally though I would find the job a lot easier with good quality used tools from a boot sale say, costing about the same as new ones from Ebay.

 

[Richard.]

Chris has got this strange notion that you can't weld to an acceptable standard with anything less than a professional quality machine.
That 135 will do you perfectly.

That's because HE probably can't!!

 

[Chris Stevens]

That's because HE probably can't!!

Unfortunately repaired Beetles over several years, and thats the reason I know it would be easier to do with good gear, especially so for a beginner...............

 

[andy198712]

The main problem with beetles is finding panels that actually fit and aren't made of paper thin metal, body cuts seems to be a good way to go about it

 

[Wozzaaah]

Unfortunately repaired Beetles over several years, and thats the reason I know it would be easier to do with good gear, especially so for a beginner...............

A brand new 135 IS good gear, if you couldn't use one to an acceptable standard maybe you're in the wrong job.
Now put the record back in it's sleeve Chris, it's starting to get tedious.....again.

Andy, I doubt you'll find many 3rd party replacement panels that you don't have to fettle before fitting, body cuts are fine as long as the donor part is sound.

 

[the snooper]

A brand new 135 IS good gear, if you couldn't use one to an acceptable standard maybe you're in the wrong job.
Now put the record back in it's sleeve Chris, it's starting to get tedious.....again.

Andy, I doubt you'll find many 3rd party replacement panels that you don't have to fettle before fitting, body cuts are fine as long as the donor part is sound.

ive used a Clarke a few years ago on body work and found it welded very well